Ireland Craft and Trade Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

Lists Irish craft and trade qualifications and awarding bodies that are exempt from NZQA assessment for Skilled Migrant Category points, with applicable timeframes and ANZSCO skill level requirements.

Status: active
Updated: 2026-05-26
Sources: I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualificationsI-ireland

At a glance

Irish craft and trade qualifications listed in the Craft and Trade Qualifications Table are exempt from NZQA International Qualifications Assessment and may be awarded SMC points if they are awarded by a recognised awarding body within the specified dates and are relevant to an occupation at ANZSCO skill level 3, 4 or 5. [I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualifications][I-ireland]

Definition

A qualification is exempt from assessment and qualifies for the points indicated if all of the following are met: [I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualifications][I-ireland]

The qualification is one of the specific craft/trade qualifications listed.
Awarded by one of the recognised awarding bodies for the relevant year range.
The qualification relates to an occupation at ANZSCO skill level 3, 4 or 5.
The qualification is awarded in one of the specified crafts or trades within the relevant dates.
The qualification is not one that must be referred to NZQA (see Interpretation & edge cases).

Applicants who believe their qualification may be higher than the level stated should apply to NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment. [I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualifications][I-ireland]

Craft and Trade Qualifications Table

Qualification	Abbreviation	Level in NZQF terms	Points under SMC
Level 6 Advanced Certificate	AC	4	40
National Craft Certificate	NC	4	40
Trade Certificate - Grade: Senior *	TC	4	40

* The Trade Certificate - Grade: Senior also requires evidence of a Record of Apprenticeship awarded by AnCO – The Industrial Training Authority, including a Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship and a National Craft Certificate. [I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualifications][I-ireland]

The qualifications must be awarded in one of the following crafts or trades within the dates shown:

Agricultural Mechanics from 2008 (Agricultural Mechanic 1985–2007)
Aircraft Mechanics from 2008 (Aircraft Mechanic 1980–2007)
Brick and Stone Laying from 2008 (Brick/Stonelayer 1980–2007)
Cabinet Making 2008–2012 (Cabinet Maker 1980–2007)
Carpentry and Joinery from 2008 (Carpenter / Joiner 1980–2007)
Construction Plant Fitting from 2008 (Construction Plant Fitter 1980–2007)
Electrical from 2008 (Electrician 1999–2007)
(Electrical) Installation 1980–1996
(Electrical) Industrial Maintenance 1980–1996
Electrical Instrumentation from 1996 ((Electrical) Instrumentation 1980–1996)
(Electrical) Power Supply 1980–1996
(Electrical) Rewinding 1980–1996
(Electrical) Neon Sign 1980–1996
(Electrical) Lift Installation 1980–1996
(Electrical) Refrigeration (Elect) 1989–1996
(Electrical) Telecommunications 1980–1996
(Electrical) Aircraft Installation 1980–1996
Electronic Security Systems from 2010
Farriery from 2011
Fitting 2008–2010 (Fitter 1980–2007)
Floor and Wall Tiling 2008–2016 (Floor/Wall Tiler 1998–2007)
Glazier 1980–1996
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics from 2008 (Heavy Vehicle Mechanic 1984–2007)
Industrial Insulation from 2010
Instrumentation from 1996
Light Vehicle Body Repairs 1987–1996
Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting (MAMF) from 2011
Metal Fabrication from 2008 (Metal Fabricator 1980–2007)
Motor Mechanics from 2008 (Motor Mechanic 1980–2007)
Painting and Decorating from 2008 (Painter/Decorator 1980–2007)
Patternmaker 1980–1996
Pipefitting from 2017 (Pipefitter 1980–1996)
Plastering from 2008 (Plasterer 1980–2007)
Plumbing from 2008 (Plumber 1996–2007, Plumbing 1988–1996)
Print Media from 2008 (Printer 1996–2007)
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning from 2008 (Refrigeration Craftsperson 2001–2006, Refrigeration Craft 1986–2000)
Sheet Metalworking from 2008 (Sheet Metal Worker 1980–2007)
Ship Builder 1989–1996 (Shipbuilding until 1986–1989, Ship Builder 1980–1986)
Slater/Roof Tiler 1993–1996 (Slater/Tiler 1980–1992)
Stonecutter 1980–1996
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry 2018
Tool Making from 2008 (Tool Maker 1980–2007)
Vehicle Body Repairs from 2008 (Vehicle Body Repairer 1996–2007)
Turner 1980–1996
Welder 1980–1996
Wood Machining 2008–2012 (Woodmachinest 1980–2007)
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing from 2013

[I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualifications][I-ireland]

Awarding Bodies

Awarding Bodies	Qualification awarded from or between dates
Department of Education	TC: 1980–1987
Department of Education / FÁS - The Training and Employment Authority	NC: 1987–1997
Department of Education and Science / FÁS - The Training and Employment Authority	NC: 1997–2001
FETAC (Further Education and Training Council)	NC: 2001–2006 AC: 2006–2012
FETAC (Further Education and Training Council) (Awarded by QQI will be evident under the FETAC logo on the award certificate)	AC: 2013–2015
QQI Award - Further Education and Training Award	AC: 2015

[I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualifications][I-ireland]

Application in decisions

Immigration officers assessing Skilled Migrant Category applications may award the points indicated for a listed craft or trade qualification if all conditions are satisfied. If an applicant holds one of these qualifications but the trade or date does not match, or they believe it is equivalent to a higher NZQF level, they must obtain an NZQA International Qualifications Assessment. [I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualifications][I-ireland]

Interpretation & edge cases

Award certificate language: Award certificates must be provided in their original language. Certificates are issued in English, or in English and Irish. [I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualifications][I-ireland]

Referral to NZQA: The following must be referred to NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment: [I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualifications][I-ireland]

All listed qualifications where study was completed at any institution outside Ireland, including overseas campuses of any listed awarding institution.
All listed qualifications that contain cross-credited courses or papers.
All qualifications awarded after 2018.

Abbreviations: The abbreviations used in the table (AC, NC, TC) are for the purposes of this list only. If an applicant believes their qualification may be higher than level 4, they should apply to NZQA for an IQA. [I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualifications][I-ireland]

Effective date: These instructions are effective from 27/08/2018. [I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualifications][I-ireland]

Citations

I-ireland-craft-and-trade-qualifications — Ireland - Craft and Trade Qualifications
I-ireland — Ireland