Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO)

At a glance

Immigration New Zealand uses the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) version 1.2 as a transitional measure. An exception applies for Dairy Cattle Farmer occupations (ANZSCO code 121313), which must be assessed using the Immigration view of ANZSCO version 1.3.

Definition

Under section E7.7, all immigration instructions that refer to ANZSCO require officers to apply version 1.2 of the classification. This transitional measure ensures consistency while a formal update is pending. The instruction was effective from 15 February 2021. [E7.7]

However, three Dairy Cattle Farmer occupations with ANZSCO six-digit code 121313 are to be assessed under a different version: the Immigration view of version 1.3, as provided by Statistics New Zealand via the Ariā classification management system. The three occupations and their assessed skill levels under v1.3 are: [E7.7]

• Dairy Farm Manager – Skill Level 1
• Assistant Dairy Farm Manager – Skill Level 3
• Dairy Herd Manager – Skill Level 3

Application in decisions

When an immigration officer assesses any visa application that involves an ANZSCO classification (e.g., for skill level determination, occupation lists, or residence pathways), they must apply version 1.2 unless the occupation is explicitly one of the dairy cattle farmer titles above, in which case they must apply the Immigration view of version 1.3. [E7.7]

This rule affects assessments under the Accredited Employer Work Visa, Skilled Migrant Category, Green List, and any other immigration instructions that reference ANZSCO. It does not change the actual ANZSCO codes or skill levels for other occupations; only the version definition applied. [E7.7]

Interpretation & edge cases

• The transitional nature of this instruction means that INZ intends to adopt a later version of ANZSCO in the future, but no date has been set. Advisers should monitor for updates. [E7.7]
• The link to the official Ariā classification for the Immigration view of v1.3 is provided in the operational manual: http://aria.stats.govt.nz/aria/#ClassificationView:uri=http://stats.govt.nz/cms/ClassificationVersion/hgbQw1g89dLcxOHS.
• The exception for Dairy Cattle Farmer occupations arose from specific industry recognition that the standard ANZSCO v1.2 classification does not adequately reflect the skill levels of those roles in New Zealand. [E7.7]
• The effective date of E7.7 is 15 February 2021. [E7.7]
• The same transitional measure (ANZSCO v1.2 plus the dairy cattle farmer exception) is now also set out in instruction R5.7, effective 15/02/2021. [R5.7]

Citations

• E7.7 — Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO)
• R5.7 — Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO)