Occupations considered as ANZSCO skill level 3 under Accredited Employer instructions

At a glance

This appendix lists occupations that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) treats as ANZSCO skill level 3 for Accredited Employer work visa assessments, superseding the standard ANZSCO classification.

Definition

Under Accredited Employer instructions, ANZSCO skill levels are used to determine the visa and pathway eligibility of job offers. Normally, ANZSCO classifies occupations into skill levels 1–5. Appendix 7 overrides that classification for a specific set of occupations: Part 1 lists occupations that are always considered skill level 3; Part 2 lists occupations that may be treated as skill level 3 if the role's skill requirements are equivalent to those of a typical skill level 3 role.

Part 1 – Occupations always treated as Skill Level 3

• 351411 – Cook
• 452111 – Fitness Instructor
• 821712 – Scaffolder
• 831212 – Slaughterer

[A-appendix-7-occupations-considered-as-anzsco-skill-level-3-un]

Part 2 – Occupations conditionally treated as Skill Level 3

• 721111 – Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator
• 721214 – Excavator Operator
• 721311 – Forklift Driver
• 721999 – Mobile Plant Operators nec

An occupation from Part 2 may be considered skill level 3 only if the specific role's skill requirements (such as training, experience, or responsibilities) are equivalent to those of a standard skill level 3 occupation. INZ officers have discretion to assess this equivalence on a case-by-case basis. [A-appendix-7-occupations-considered-as-anzsco-skill-level-3-un]

Application in decisions

When assessing an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or other Accredited Employer instructions, an immigration officer must apply this appendix if the job title matches an occupation in the list. For the occupations in Part 1, the officer must treat the role as ANZSCO skill level 3 regardless of the actual duties. For Part 2 occupations, the officer may treat the role as skill level 3 after evaluating the skill level of the specific employment. This treatment affects the visa category and any pathway to residence linked to skill level. [A-appendix-7-occupations-considered-as-anzsco-skill-level-3-un]

Interpretation & edge cases

• The appendix only applies to assessments under Accredited Employer instructions; it does not alter the skill level for other visa pathways (e.g., Skilled Migrant Category) unless expressly referenced by those instructions. [A-appendix-7-occupations-considered-as-anzsco-skill-level-3-un]
• An occupation not listed here retains its standard ANZSCO skill level. [A-appendix-7-occupations-considered-as-anzsco-skill-level-3-un]
• For Part 2, the burden is on the employer and applicant to demonstrate that the role's skill requirements are equivalent to skill level 3. INZ may request evidence such as job descriptions, training certificates, or industry standards. [A-appendix-7-occupations-considered-as-anzsco-skill-level-3-un]
• The effective date of this version is 9 March 2026; previous versions may have different lists. [A-appendix-7-occupations-considered-as-anzsco-skill-level-3-un]

Citations

• A-appendix-7-occupations-considered-as-anzsco-skill-level-3-un – Appendix 7 Occupations considered as ANZSCO skill level 3 under Accredited Employer instructions