Big News for Skilled Workers and Employers: New Occupations Recognised under the AEWV from 3 November 2025
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Exciting changes are coming for skilled migration to New Zealand. On 23 October 2025, Immigration New Zealand announced that from 3 November 2025 it will begin recognising 91 new occupations under the new classification system, the National Occupation List (NOL), for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) programme. (Immigration New Zealand)
This update marks a major step in the transition from the older ANZSCO (Australian & New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) system to the NOL — so both employers and migrant job-seekers should take note of what this means. (Immigration New Zealand)
What’s Changing?
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
From 3 November 2025, job advertising and job-checks under the AEWV can use any of these newly recognised NOL occupations (skill levels 1–3). (Immigration New Zealand)
The NOL officially replaced ANZSCO as New Zealand’s job-classification system in November 2024, and was updated again on 1 July 2025. (Immigration New Zealand)
For employer-sponsored roles in these occupations, the usual AEWV processes apply: the employer must be accredited, the role must pass a job-check, local advertising must have been done (i.e., genuinely tried to recruit a New Zealander) and the job description and salary must match the classification. (Immigration New Zealand)
If a migrant worker holds (or will hold) an AEWV in one of the newly recognised occupations, they may qualify for longer stays (up to 5 years) and potentially bring family depending on their classification. (Immigration New Zealand)
Those in skill-level 4 or 5 roles (under ANZSCO) might now have a pathway to move into one of the newly recognised skill 1-3 roles (under NOL) — provided they meet further criteria such as 3 years of directly‐relevant work experience or a recognised qualification. (Immigration New Zealand)
Why This Matters for You
For employers (and HR managers):
This change widens the pool of skilled occupations eligible for the AEWV. If you have skill shortages, you might now recruit from a broader set of occupations.
Be sure your job descriptions align with the new NOL code, and that you complete job-checks for the new codes from 3 November onwards.
Ensure your accreditation with INZ is valid and you understand the advertising and recruitment obligations.
For migrant job-seekers and visa holders:
If you work (or are about to work) in one of the newly recognised occupations, this gives you more options — potentially longer tenure, more stability, and maybe family visa options.
If you are currently on a lower-skill AEWV role, it may be worth checking if your role matches a newly recognised NOL occupation (or could in future) and whether you meet the experience/qualification criteria to shift into it.
Stay aware that this is a transition period: though the recognition starts 3 November, some roles may still be under the ANZSCO system for now.
What You Should Do Now
Check the list: Review whether your job (or your employer’s vacant role) appears among the 91 newly recognised occupations. The INZ website lists the NOL codes and occupations. (Immigration New Zealand)
Update job descriptions: If you are an employer, update the job descriptions to reflect the correct NOL code, the relevant skill‐level, and ensure salary meets the threshold.
Check accreditation and recruiting process: Make sure your employer is accredited or in the process; if you’re seeking a role, ensure the employer has done the advertising step and job check.
Assess eligibility: For visa applicants, ensure you meet the experience/qualification requirements for the role’s NOL classification, especially if you are moving from a lower skill classification.
Seek expert advice: Given the transition from ANZSCO to NOL, and the changes in rules, it’s wise to get professional advice — GEMACD is ready to assist you.
Final Thoughts
This announcement from Immigration New Zealand is a positive development for both skilled workers seeking to migrate to or extend their stay in New Zealand, and for New Zealand employers looking to fill in-demand roles with international talent.
By recognising 91 new occupations under the NOL from 3 November 2025, INZ is signalling its commitment to aligning immigration policy with evolving labour-market needs, and providing greater flexibility for migrant workers in higher-skill roles.
If you’re thinking of applying under the AEWV, or you’re an employer planning to hire overseas skilled staff, now is the time to take stock and ensure your paperwork, classifications and recruitment processes are all in line.
At GEMACD Immigration, we’re here to support you every step of the way — from assessing eligibility to navigating employer accreditation, job-checks, visa applications and beyond. Please contact us for a personalised consultation and ensure you’re ready for the changes ahead.
