New version of ANZSCO released on Wednesday, 30 October 2019
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?
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