The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Statistics New Zealand released a new version of ANZSCO on Wednesday, 30 October. INZ will continue to use the previous version until the middle of 2020, although not for every occupation.

What is changing?

The updated version of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is Version 1.3. This version sees the government adding 44 jobs to those deemed to be ‘skilled’ for the purposes of a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa application.

When does ANZSCO Version 1.3 come into effect?

New Zealand will continue to use the current version of ANZSCO in the assessment of most applications until mid-2020. In mid-2020, Version 1.3 will then kick in.

How does Version 1.3 affect visa applications?

At the moment, New Zealand uses a combination of ANZSCO classification and pay to determine skill band levels. From next year, when ANZSCO Version 1.3 comes into effect, New Zealand will no longer use ANZSCO to assess the skill level of jobs for the Essential Skills Work Visa. Until then, New Zealand uses Version 2.1 to assess occupations.

Some occupations will be treated as an exception

As mentioned, New Zealand will continue to use ANZSCO Version 1.2 until mid-2020. However, New Zealand will treat some occupations as exceptions. Exceptions will apply to occupations that are:

• Low-skilled – Skill level 4 to 50 in ANZSCO Version 1.2.
• Skilled – Skill level 1 to 3 in ANZSCO Version 1.3, and
• The visa applicant earns at least the New Zealand median income, which is currently at NZD25 per hour.

New Zealand will treat these occupations as if it is ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3.

You can find a list of ANZSCO occupations that’ll be treated as exceptions on INZ’s website.

What does the change in ANZSCO list mean for visa applicants?

There are a couple of scenarios for visa applicants:

• You hold already hold a work visa: The skill level of your job remain the same for the duration of your visa.
• You apply before mid-2020:
  • Your occupation is not on the exceptions list: New Zealand will use ANZSCO Version 1.2 to assess your visa application.
  • Your occupation is on the exceptions list: New Zealand will treat your occupation as if it were skill level 3, if your job pays above the New Zealand median income or use ANZSCO Version 1.2 to assess your application, if your job pays below the New Zealand median income.
• You apply after mid-2020:
  • For an Essential Skills Work Visa: New Zealand will no longer use ANSCO to assess the skill level of your jobs.
  • For a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: New Zealand will use ANZSCO Version 1.3 to assess the skill level of your jobs.

Want to know when exactly ANZSCO Version 1.3 comes into affect in 2020?

To stay up to date with the implementation of Version 1.3 of ANZSCO, simply follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook and LinkedIn, where we post immigration news as and when it happens.

Immigration New Zealand is making many changes to their immigration program from now until 2021. The first of the changes are coming into effect in a couple of days on 7 October.

The rest of the changes are planned for 2020 and 2021. We’re going to detail these changes below.

Changes in 2020

There are two changes coming in 2020:

• Family visas for low-skilled Essential Skills Work Visa holders.
• Determining if a job is low-skilled or high-skilled.

Family visas for low-skilled Essential Skills Work Visa holders

From mid-2020, Essential Skills Work Visa holders on low-skilled jobs will be able to support family visas. Their partners and children younger than school age will be able to apply for visitor visas for the duration of the work visa. School-going children will be able to apply for student visas.

Determining if a job is low-skilled or high-skilled

Immigration New Zealand is going to change how it’s decided if a job is low-skilled or high-skilled. Currently, jobs under the Essential Skills Work visa are assigned a skill band based on a combination of the pay and the categorisation of the job on ANZSCO.

From mid-2020, INZ will not use ANZSCO and instead use only the rate of pay. High-paid jobs will be defined as jobs that pay at or above the median wage, while low-paid jobs will be jobs that pay below the median wage.

High-paid jobs will receive the same benefits as jobs that are currently categorized as mid-skilled or high-skilled, and low-paid jobs will be treated the same as low-skilled jobs.

Changes in 2021

There is one big change coming in 2021:

New temporary work visa will replace 6 existing visas

From 2021, a new temporary work visa will replace six existing visas:

• Essential Skills Work Visa
• Essential Skills Work Visa – approved in principle
• Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa
• Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
• Silver Fern Job Search Visa
• Silver Fern Practical Experience Visa

If you already hold a visa that is being replaced, it will remain valid until it expires. If you’d like to continue working for your current employer after your visa expires, you’ll have to apply for the new temporary work visa or another visa you qualify for.

Please note that if you already hold a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa or a Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa, you can still apply for residence based on your current work visa.

Some policies are staying in place

Amidst all of the change, some things will remain the same:

• People who hold visas based on lower-skilled work will still have to leave New Zealand for a 1-year stand-down period after they have been working for 3 years.
• The new visa will still have conditions specifying an employer, job and location, and a visa holder will still have to get a variation of conditions to change any of these.
• INZ will still need to be satisfied that there are no New Zealanders available for a job before they grant a visa — in most cases, through the labour market test.

Keeping up to date with the changes

INZ has said that they are still working on how to implement some of the changes. As more details are finalised, we’ll update you right here on our blog. To stay up to date, follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn where we post news as it happens.

On 7 October 2019, a number of visa changes are coming into effect in New Zealand. These changes affect the Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa and the Silver Fern Job Search Visa.

Three major changes to the Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa

Immigration New Zealand are making three changes to the Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa. They are:

• Increasing the annual salary limit from NZD55,000 to NZD79,560,
• Removing the option to get a Permanent Resident Visa if applicants apply for a Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa, and
• Limiting the amount of time employers can be accredited to 24 months.

Increasing the minimum salary

The new minimum salary applies to all Talent (Accredited Employer) Work visas INZ receives from 7 October, regardless of when the employer became accredited.

The new salary of NZD79,650 is based on a 40-hour week, or NZD38,25 per hour. If your job is for more than 40 hours a week, you must earn at least NZD38,25 an hour.

Should you the salary you’ll receive fall short of the new minimum required, you could apply for an Essential Skills Work Visa instead.

Removing the option to get a Permanent Resident Visa

From 7 October, if you do not have a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa or a current application, you’ll no longer be able to get a permanent residency if you apply for a Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa.

At the moment it is possible to apply for a Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa if you’re earning NZD90,000 or more a year. This resident visa then offers a Permanent Resident Visa.

If you applied for a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa before 7 October and receive your visa, you’ll still be able to apply for Permanent Resident Visa later.

Limiting employer accreditation to 24 months

As of 7 October, employers who apply for accreditation can only be accredited for 24 months before having to reapply. This limit is to allow for some changes INZ are making to the way employers recruit workers from overseas.

Permanent closure of the Silver Fern Job Search Work Visa

The Silver Fern Job Search Visa offers open work visas for young, qualified people who intend to find skilled employment in New Zealand.

Usually INZ accepts applications for this visa on an annual basis, but INZ is permanently closing applications for the Silver Fern Job Search Visa on 7 October.

If you already hold a Silver Fern Job Search Visa, don’t worry – you are not affected by the closure and your visa conditions stay the same. You can also still apply for a Silver Fern Practical Experience Work Visa.

More changes coming in the next two years

The New Zealand Minister of Immigration has announced their intention to introduce a number of other changes from now until 2021. The biggest change is INZ’s intention to replace six existing work visas with one new temporary work visa.

You can read more about all the planned changes on our blog.

Get in touch if you need assistance with your visa application

As emigration to new Zealand becomes more and more complex, let us guide you through the best options for your visa application.

If you are serious about emigrating and are ready to talk, you can book your formal assessment with one of our licensed emigration advisers.

Book your consultation call here. You’ll get an email from our advisor explaining the next steps.

There are many jobs needed in New Zealand and New Zealand’s Ministry of Business and Innovation (MBIE) regularly review the skills shortage lists to meet the changing demands of the labour market.

The MBIE just recently completed their latest review and on 8 May announced that aged care registered nurses and teachers will be added to skills lists as of 28 May 2019. The move was applauded as it is seen as a positive step towards addressing chronic staff shortages.

To give hopeful applicants a better idea of working in New Zealand as aged care registered nurses or teachers, we’ve compiled a guide addressing four key factors for each occupation:

• Job description
• Salaries
• Working conditions
• What New Zealand expects of their nurses and teachers.

Nurses are up first and then we move on to teachers.

Aged Care Registered Nurses

Aged care registered nurses provide care to elderly people. Work places can range from residential facilities to hospitals and the patients’ home.

1. Job description

Aged care registered nurses are responsible for the health requirements of their patients. This includes:

• Managing health conditions.
• Managing medication and treatment schedules.
• Maintaining medical records.
• Administering nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients.
• Taking action when sudden health changes occur.
• Educating patients and their families and community groups about health needs, long-term effects, and prevention of accidents and illness.

Often aged care registered nurses are also in management positions at residential care homes or assist in the managing of homes.

2. Salaries

Registered nurses earn between NZ$24,26 and NZ$34,38 per hour, with the average hourly rate sitting at NZ$28,59.

3. Working hours

Registered nurses in New Zealand work shifts of 8 to 12 hours at hospitals, rest homes, or nursing homes. Nurses working in the community or at medical centres usually work 40 hours per week.

4. What New Zealand expects of registered nurses

The expectations of New Zealand’s healthcare industry is no different to others around the world. Nurses are expected to have:

• Excellent nursing skills and knowledge of different nursing methods.
• The patient’s best interest at heart, advocating on their behalf.
• Good communication and problem-solving skills.

Registered nurses must also have the ability to:

• Work under pressure and remain calm in emergencies.
• Show compassion, and relate to people from various cultures and backgrounds.
• Be patient and helpful.

Teachers

The MBIE added early childhood, primary scool and secondary school teachers to New Zealand’s skills shortage lists. As such, we’ll discuss each one separately.

Early Childhood Teacher

Early childhood teachers educate and care for young children in kindergartens or children centres.

1. Job description

Early childhood teachers may do some or all of the following:

• Educating and care for babies and children.
• Helping prepare meals, clean and tidy up, give medicines, and change nappies.
• Planning daily programmes, learning experiences and routines for children..
• Making or adapt learning resourse.
• Implementing New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum.
• Assessing and recording the learning and development of each child.
• Discussing children’s progress with their parents or caregivers as well as other education professionals.
• Running workshops for parents and caregivers.
• Preparing budgets, order supplies, and helping manage the early childhood centre.

2. Salaries

Starting salaries for early childhood teachers range from $36,000 to $47,000 annually depending on qualifications. Experienced early childhood teachers in senior positions can earn between $60,000 and $85,000 per year.

3. Working hours

Early childhood teachers work between 35 and 40 hours a week.

4. What New Zealand expects of early childhood teachers

Early childhood teacher in New Zealand must have knowledge of:

• Different teaching methods and learning styles.
• The early childhood curriculum.
• Behaviour management techniques.
• Safety and emergency procedures.
• Food preparation and hygiene.
• Child learning and development, including early literacy and numeracy.

These teachers must also be:

• Skilled at communicating with children and adults from a range of backgrounds and cultures.
• Enthusiastic, open-minded and able to motivate children.
• Creative and adaptable.

Primary School Teachers

Primary school teachers is responsible for the education of children between the ages of five and 13 at primary or intermediate schools.

1. Job description

The responsibilities of primary school teachers include:

• Planning, preparing, and presenting lessons.
• Teaching a wide range of subjects.
• Keeping up to date with curriculum changes and assessment methods.
• Helping children to develop their social skills and behaviours.
• Leading a curriculum area within the school.
• Getting involved in extracurricular activities.
• Doing lunchtime playground duty or road patrol duty.

2. Salaries

The annual salaries for primary school teachers range from NZ$47,000 to NZ$74,000 with the average yearly salary sitting at NZ$54,000.

3. Working conditions

Primary school teachers are usually dealing with children from about 8am until 3.30pm. Often primary school teachers will work outside these hours on admin work, meetings, and extracurricular activities.

4. What New Zealand expects of primary school teachers

New Zealand expects primary school teachers to have a knowledge of:

• Different teaching methods and learning styles.
• The New Zealand school curriculum.
• Child development, including learning difficulties and how to deal with them.
• Behaviour management techniques, such as establishing boundaries.

These teachers must also be able to:

• Communicate with children and adults from a various backgrounds and cultures.
• Enthusiastic, open-minded and able to motivate children.
• Creative and adaptable.

Secondary School Teachers

Secondary school teachers educate students between the ages of 13 and 18 and teach one or more subjects.

1. Job description

The responsibilities of secondary school teachers include:

• Planning, preparing and presenting lessons.
• Setting and marking assignments and tests.
• Assessing students’ work for national qualifications.
• Attending departmental and staff meetings.
• Being involved in extracurricular activities.
• Keeping up to date with curriculum changes and assessment methods.

2. Salaries

Secondary school teachers earn between NZ$48,000 and NZ$81,000 per year depending on experience, with the average annual salary sitting at NZ$68,000.

3. Working conditions

Secondary school teachers work regular school hours, but often work additional hours to plan lessons, assess work, and assist with extracurricular activities.

4. What New Zealand expects of secondary school teachers

New Zealand requires their secondary school teachers to have knowledge of:

• Different teaching methods and learning styles
• The curriculum subjects they teach.
• Classroom management skills.
• To keep up to date with best teaching practices.

Secondary school teachers must also be able to:

• Communicate with students and adults from a range of backgrounds and cultures.
• Positive, open-minded, and able to motivate young people.
• Understanding, tolerant, and good at listening.

For more advice on jobs needed in New Zealand, contact us

Finding out more about the various jobs needed in New Zealand as well as work visas and their requirements is as easy as booking a consultation call with our licensed advisor. You’ll get all the advice you need and get to ask any questions you have.

 

Source: www.careers.govt.nz

New Zealand’s Ministry of Business and Innovation (MBIE) regularly reviews the country’s skills list to meet the changing needs of the job market. On Wednesday, 8 May, the MBIE announced the completion of the 2018/2019 review together with the changes that’ll be made to the skills lists.

The MBIE has decided to rename one skills list and will be adding certain occupations to the skills lists. These changes will all come into effect on Monday, 27 May. Below we discuss the changes.

The Regional Skill Shortage List (RSSL) replaces the Immediate Skill Shortage List

The MBIE has renamed the Immediate Skill Shortage List to now be the Regional Skill Shortage List (RSSL). While the occupations on the list stays virtually the same, the number of regions have been increased from 6 to 15.

According to Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway, ‘these changes were the first step in the Government’s plan to streamline and regionalise the skills-based visa system.’ In particular, Immigration New Zealand wants to encourage ‘the regional dispersion of immigrants to places other than Auckland and the main centres’.

Teachers and aged care registered nurses added to skills lists

The New Zealand Aged Care Association has applauded Immigration New Zealand’s decision to add aged care registered nurses to the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL). The Association believes that this is positive step towards addressing chronic nursing shortages.

It’s not just registered nurses that are needed in New Zealand. There is also a teacher shortage. So much so, in fact, that Immigration New Zealand launched an intensive recruitment drive at the end of last year. The goal was to attract 400 teachers from overseas for the 2019 school year.

Considering the above, it is not surprising that MBIE has added Early Childhood Teacher, Primary School Teacher, and Secondary School Teacher for all regions to the new Regional Skill Shortage List.

Other occupation changes to skills lists were:

• Extending the ‘Construction Project Manager Roading and Infrastructure’ listing on the LTSSL to include ‘Construction Project Manager’.
• Amendments to the Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List (CISSL):
  • Adding Building Associate.
  • Extending Plumber (General) to all regions.
  • Removing Stonemason for the Canterbury regions. The occupation will remain for Auckland and Northland.

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The New Zealand Government has set themselves a goal for the start of 2019 – to recruit 400 teachers from overseas to fill shortages in schools.

Why has the Government set themselves this goal?

New Zealand is struggling with severe teacher shortages, hence the goal set for 2019.

These shortages, as reported in the New Zealand Herald, are due to ‘a slump in domestic teacher trainees, exacerbated in Auckland by high housing costs which are driving many teachers out of the city.’

School principals are welcoming the initiative, but some will keep a keen eye on developments, as not everyone is confident that recruiting from overseas will be enough to fill all the gaps.

Teachers required across the board

The Government wants to recruit both primary and secondary school teachers, as teachers are in desperate need at all levels. The focus is not only on attracting overseas-trained teachers, but also on bringing New Zealand teachers home.

Eligible teachers may receive an Overseas Relocation Grant

New Zealand has established an Overseas Relocation Grant (ORG) that supports teachers with the costs of relocating to New Zealand. Nearly 200 teachers have already been approved for an ORG.

How does the ORG work?

The ORG was established to assist teachers who commence teaching in New Zealand from 13 December 2017 to 30 June 2019.

The New Zealand government approves a maximum of 100 grants per financial year. This means 100 grants for the period 13 December 2017 to 30 June 2018, and a further 100 grants from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.

The ORG will:

• Reimburse actual and reasonable expenses up to a minimum of NZ$7,000 for each New Zealand-trained teacher and up to a maximum of NZ$5,000 for each overseas-trained teacher.
• Be non-taxable. This has been confirmed by Inland Revenue.

Who are eligible?

To be eligible for the Overseas Relocation Grant, you’ll have to meet the following criteria:

• Be registered and certified by the Education Council of New Zealand.
• Be employed in a full-time position that is either permanent or fixed term (of at least 12 months).
• Has never received an ORG or has received an ORG only once in a 5-year period.
• Did not teach in New Zealand between 13 December 2016 and 12 December 2017.
• Commenced employment on or after 13 December 2017, and up to 30 June 2019.
• Is employed to teach in a state or state-integrated school.

Payment criteria

To receive payment, you must do the following:

• Apply for the grant within three months of commencing employment. The school must provide evidence of this. The Government will consider applications received after three months on a case-by-case basis.
• Provide proof of expenditure of all actual and reasonable relocation costs. The specific amount of the grant will be based on this evidence.

Once all the requirement is met, 50% of the grant will be deposited into the nominated account after 10 weeks of teaching. The final 50% is deposited after 30 weeks of teaching.

Read more about the grant here.

Take the first step

If you are a teacher and you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity, the first step is finding out if you qualify for emigration to New Zealand.

Ready? Book a consultation call with our licensed advisor. You’ll not only find out if you’re eligible to teach in New Zealand, you’ll also discover your visa options, how the application process, and the costs involved.

New Zealand has announced a range of changes to the post-study work rights for international students.

These changes have been made for a number of reasons. Most significant, is New Zealand’s desire to reduce student exploitation and to encourage study in all regions.

The changes also support the government’s broader plans for a high-quality international system in order to generate educational, economic, social and cultural benefits to New Zealand.

What are the changes?

The most significant change to the post-study work rights for international students is the removal of post-study work visas to be sponsored by a specific employer.

Other changes include:

• One-year post-study open work visa: For students studying Level 4 – 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications. Graduate Diploma graduates who are working towards registration with a professional or trade body gets an additional year.
• Two-year post-study open work visa: For students studying Level 4 – 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications outside Auckland. This is provided the study is completed by December 2021. At this point, the post-study work rights revert to a one-year post-study open work visa for students studying Level 4 – 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications. Graduate Diploma graduates who are working towards registration with a professional or trade body again gets an additional year.
• Three-year post-study open work visa: For degree Level 7 or above qualifications.
• International students studying Level 8 qualifications must be in an area specified on the Long Term Skills Shortage List in order for their partner to be eligible for an open work visa, and in turn the couples’ dependent children to be eligible for fee-free domestic schooling.
• A 3-year, time-limited incentive to study outside of Auckland.

What will the effects of the changes be?

On the positive side, the New Zealand government hopes that the post-study work rights changes will reduce the exploitation of students by unscrupulous employers, education providers, and agents.

The changes will hopefully also have a positive effect on New Zealand by:

• Attracting international students studying at higher levels.
• Contributing the skills and qualifications New Zealand needs;
• Supporting the government’s wider economic goal of growing the regions; and
• Ensuring a high-quality international education sector.

However, it has been estimated that first-time student visas will see a drop in the range of 1200 to 600. Based on the desire to attract students studying at higher levels, though, this could be a knock New Zealand is willing to take.

When are the changes coming into effect?

The changes to the post-study work rights will come into effect on 26 November 2018. The changes will not affect:

• Current post-study work visa holders;
• Current students who are undertaking a qualification that, once completed, will meet the current qualification requirements as set out in current immigration settings.

Questions? Call us

If you have any questions on the post-study work rights, please do not hesitate to contact us. You Our advisors have all the answers to your questions about student visas and their requirements.