If you are considering moving to New Zealand and applying for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, it’s important to understand the requirements for assessing skilled employment. Skilled employment is a key factor in determining whether you qualify for this visa, and it involves meeting specific criteria related to your occupation, qualifications, work experience, and pay rate. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of how skilled employment is assessed for SMC Resident Visa in New Zealand, including the pay rate threshold and ANZSCO skill level requirements.
How your work skills are assessed
One of the first steps in assessing skilled employment is to determine the closest matching Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation (ANZSCO) occupation for your current job or job offer. ANZSCO is a system that classifies occupations into skill levels ranging from 1 to 5, with skill level 1 being the highest and skill level 5 being the lowest. Your job or job offer must be full-time, and you must be suitably qualified to do the job, with your training and experience matching the ANZSCO skill level of the occupation.
If your occupation falls within ANZSCO skill levels 1, 2, or 3
If your occupation is ANZSCO skill level 1, 2, or 3, you must have a relevant recognized qualification at or above the level described in the ANZSCO. In some cases, ANZSCO may allow for substitution of the qualification with 5 years of work experience, even if the ANZSCO does not explicitly state this. A job or job offer must also be on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, and you must meet its standards, or it must be a job or job offer that needs occupational registration in New Zealand, and you must have full or provisional registration for the position.
Also read: How to Apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa and What are the Requirements?
If your occupation falls within ANZSCO skill levels 4, 5, or not in ANZSCO
On the other hand, if your occupation is ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, or does not have a matching ANZSCO description, You must possess a level 3 qualification listed on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment, or a relevant, recognised qualification at level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. You must also have at least 3 years of relevant work experience, and a job or job offer on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, and you are qualified for it, or you have a job offer or a job that needs occupational registration in New Zealand, and you are either fully or provisionally registered for the position.
When the Skilled Migrant Category pay rate threshold gets modified
In addition to the ANZSCO skill level requirements, there is also a pay rate threshold that needs to be met for assessing skilled employment. Currently the pay rate threshold is NZD $29.66 an hour (or equivalent annual salary) for ANZSCO skill level 1, 2, or 3 occupations, and NZD $44.49 an hour (or equivalent annual salary) for ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 occupations, or occupations that do not have a matching ANZSCO description. It’s important to note that these pay rate thresholds are subject to change and are normally updated annually.
Summary
To summarize, if you are applying for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa in New Zealand, assessing your skilled employment involves meeting the ANZSCO skill level requirements, having relevant qualifications and work experience, and meeting the pay rate threshold. It’s essential to carefully review the specific criteria and requirements set by the New Zealand immigration authorities and seek professional advice if needed to ensure that you meet the skilled employment criteria for your visa application.
However, Immigration Chambers is here to help you every step of the way. As a leading immigration advisers Auckland, we have years of experience in assisting individuals with their visa applications, including the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. Our team of skilled and knowledgeable immigration experts can provide you with expert guidance and support throughout the application process, ensuring that you have the best possible chance of success.