Germany – Craft and Trade Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

At a glance

Germany has a list of craft and trade qualifications — awarded by vocational schools (Berufsschule or Berufsfachschule) — that are exempt from NZQA assessment for immigration purposes. These qualifications can receive points under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) when they are relevant to an ANZSCO skill level 3, 4, or 5 occupation and the applicant also holds a recognised apprenticeship certificate in the same occupation [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications].

Definition

A German craft or trade qualification is exempt from NZQA assessment and may be awarded 40 points under the SMC if both of the following conditions are met [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications]:

1. The qualification is relevant to an occupation at ANZSCO skill level 3, 4, or 5.
2. The applicant provides evidence of completing a recognised apprenticeship (Table B) in the same occupation.

Table A — Recognised qualifications

The following qualifications, awarded by a Berufsschule or Berufsfachschule, are assessed at NZQF Level 4 and attract 40 points under the SMC [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications]:

Qualification
Abschlußzeugnis / Abschlusszeugnis (Leaving certificate / Certificate of completion)
Abschlußzeugnis / Abschlusszeugnis der Berufsschule (Certificate of a vocational school)
Berufsschulabschluß / Berufsschulabschluss (Vocational school degree)

If an applicant believes their qualification may be higher than the level stated, they should apply to NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications].

Table B — Recognised apprenticeship certificates

The applicant must provide evidence of completing an apprenticeship by providing any one of the following certificates, awarded between 1980 and 2018 (or the dates stated for the specific trade) by an Industrie- und Handelskammer (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) or a Handwerkskammer (Chamber of Crafts) [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications]:

• Gesellenbrief / Gesellenbriefe (Apprenticeship / Journeyman)
• Gesellenprüfung (Trade test) / Gesellenprüfungzeugnis (Trade test certificate)
• Facharbeiterbrief / Facharbeiterbriefe (Craft certificate)

An official stamp on the apprenticeship documents will state the chamber name and the German State of jurisdiction. The apprenticeship documents will always state the craft or trade that the apprenticeship was completed in [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications].

All German apprenticeships meeting the document requirements can be considered eligible for points. The apprenticeship may have been completed in one of the following crafts or trades [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications]:

Trade (German)	Trade (English)	Valid from–to
Backofenbauer / Backofenbauerin	Oven Builder	1980–2006
Beton- und Stahlbetonbauer / Beton- und Stahlbetonbauerin	Concreter	from 1980
Bootsbauer / Bootsbauerin	Boat Builder	from 1980
Brunnenbauer / Brunnenbauerin	Well Builder	from 1980
Büchsenmacher / Büchsenmacherin	Gunsmith	from 1980
Chirurgiemechaniker / Chirurgiemechanikerin	Surgical Instrument Maker	from 1989 (Chirurgiemechaniker 1980–1989)
Dachdecker / Dachdeckerin	Roofer	from 1981
Dreher	Turner	1989–2002
Elektromaschinenbauer / Elektromaschinenbauerin	Electrical Machine Technician	1980–2003
Elektroniker für Maschinen und Antriebstechnik / Elektronikerin für Maschinen und Antriebstechnik	Electronic Technician for Machines and Drive Technology	from 2003
Elektroniker / Elektronikerin	Electronics Technician	from 2003
Estrichleger / Estrichlegerin	Floor Layer / Screeder	from 1980
Feinwerkmechaniker / Feinwerkmechanikerin	Precision Machinist	from 2002 (Feinmechaniker 1980–2002)
Fleischer / Fleischerin	Butcher	from 1983
Friseur / Friseurin	Hairdresser	from 1980
Gerüstbauer / Gerüstbauerin	Scaffolder	from 1990
Glasapparatebauer / Glasapparatebauerin	Glass Apparatus Maker	from 1983
Glaser / Glaserin	Glazier	from 1980
Karosserie- und Fahrzeugbaumechaniker / Karosserie- und Fahrzeugbaumechanikerin	Motor Vehicle Construction Mechanic	from 2003
Karosserie- und Fahrzeugbauer / Karosserie-und Fahrzeugbauerin	Automotive Technician / Bodywork	1989–2003
Konditor / Konditorin	Pastry Chef	from 1980
Konstruktionsmechaniker / Konstruktionsmechanikerin	Construction Mechanic	from 1987
Kraftfahrzeugmechatroniker / Kraftfahrzeugmechatronikerin	Motor Vehicle Mechatronics Technician	from 2003
Landmaschinenmechaniker / Landmaschinenmechanikerin	Mechanic for Agricultural and Construction Machinery	1980–2003
Maler und Lackierer / Maler und Lackiererin	Painter and Varnisher	from 1980
Maurer / Maurerin	Mason	from 1980
Maschinenbaumechaniker / Maschinenbaumechanikerin	Engineering Mechanics	1989–2002
Mechatroniker für Kältetechnik / Mechatronikerin für Kältetechnik	Refrigeration Mechanic	from 2007 (Kälteanlagenbauer 1980–2007)
Metallbauer / Metallbauerin	Metal worker	from 1989
Ofen- und Luftheizungsbauer / Ofen- und Luftheizungsbauerin	Builder of Stoves and Air Heating Systems	from 2006
Parkettleger	Floorer	from 1980
Schornsteinfeger / Schornsteinfegerin	Chimney Sweep	from 1980
Seiler	Ropemaker	from 1980
Schiffbauer / Schiffbauerin	Shipfitter / Shipbuilder / Shipwright	1980–1987
Steinmetz und Steinbildhauer / Steinmetzin und Steinbildhauerin	Stonemason	from 1983
Straßenbauer / Straßenbauerin	Road Builder	from 1980
Stuckateur / Stuckateurin	Plasterer	from 1980
Tischler / Tischlerin	Joiner	from 1997 (Tischler 1980–1997)
Vulkaniseur und Reifenmechaniker	Mechanic for Tyres and Vulcanisation	1981–2004
Wärme-, Kälte- und Schallschutzisolierer / Wärme-, Kälte- und Schallschutzisoliererin	Thermal and Noise Insulation Fitter	from 1980
Werkzeugmechaniker / Werkzeugmechanikerin	Toolmaker	from 1987
Zimmerer / Zimmerin	Carpenter	from 1980
Zweiradmechaniker / Zweiradmechanikerin	Motorbike and Bicycle Mechanic	from 1989

Application in decisions

An immigration officer assessing a German craft or trade qualification checks [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications]:

• that the qualification in Table A was awarded by a Berufsschule or Berufsfachschule;
• that the qualification is relevant to an ANZSCO skill level 3, 4, or 5 occupation;
• that the apprenticeship certificate in Table B was awarded by an Industrie- und Handelskammer or Handwerkskammer between 1980 and 2018 (or within the stated date range for the specific trade);
• that the apprenticeship and the qualification are in the same occupation;
• that the apprenticeship certificate bears the official stamp showing the chamber name and the German State of jurisdiction.

Points for the SMC are awarded at 40 points for the qualifications listed in Table A [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications].

Interpretation & edge cases

• Award certificate language: Award certificates must be provided in their original language [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications].
• Honorary degrees: All honorary degrees must be referred to NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications].
• Overseas study: Any listed qualification where study was completed at an institution outside of Germany, including any overseas campus of a listed awarding institution, must be referred to NZQA [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications].
• Cross-credited courses: Any listed qualification in Table A that contains cross-credited courses or papers must be referred to NZQA [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications].
• Post‑2018 awards: All qualifications awarded after 2018 are not covered by this exemption list and require NZQA assessment [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications].
• Higher levels: If an applicant believes their qualification may be higher than NZQF Level 4, they should apply to NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications].
• Date ranges in Table B: Some trades have specific start and end dates. Only apprenticeships completed within the stated date range are eligible. If a trade has no end date listed ("from YYYY"), apprenticeships completed from that year onward up to 2018 are eligible [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications].
• Relationship to academic qualifications: German academic qualifications are assessed under a separate exemption list. An applicant may hold both a craft/trade qualification and an academic qualification; each is assessed under its own list [G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications].

Citations

• G-germany-craft-and-trade-qualifications — Germany - Craft and Trade Qualifications