Points For Job Offer

In order to be eligible for claiming points for employment or job offer in New Zealand, the job must be categorised as 'skilled', which means it must meet certain criteria as defined by Immigration New Zealand. Unskilled jobs do not qualify for an Expression of Interest under the Skilled Migrant Category, except in certain exceptional cases. Understanding this requirement from the outset implies that you'll need to sift through job positions you apply for and collaborate with your personal adviser, who will help you ensure that the job you are offered satisfies the criteria.

What are the criteria for a job to be considered as skilled?

To summarise, a job is considered skilled if it meets a minimum salary requirement and requires specialised technical or managerial expertise. This expertise can be gained through relevant qualifications, work experience, or a combination of both.

Can you determine the skill level of your occupation?

The skill level of your job is determined by Immigration New Zealand using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), which covers the vast majority of jobs. This classification ranks jobs from 1 to 5 based on skill level.

• A skill level 1 job is considered high-skilled Construction Project Manager, Accountant, Architect, Doctor, ICT engineer, etc.
• A skill level 2 or 3 job is considered mid-skilled Electrician, Retail Manager, Chef, Fitter-Welder, Engineering Technician, etc.
• A skill level 4 or 5 job is considered low-skilled Administration assistant, Clerk, Farm Labourer, Delivery Driver, etc.

The introduction of salary bands in mid-2017 aims to complement the ANZSCO classification and add a salary threshold requirement for a job offer to be considered acceptable.

Are you suitably qualified for the job?

To be eligible for skilled employment points, your job offer should align with an ANZSCO occupation, meet a specific level of remuneration, and you must possess the appropriate qualifications or work experience necessary for the role to be considered. This is a crucial requirement that cannot be overlooked.

Are there any exceptions?

If your occupation does not correspond with any ANZSCO code or you're being offered a high salary for a low-skilled job, there may be exceptions. It's recommended to seek guidance from a Licensed Adviser for an assessment of your circumstances. Don't delay, schedule an appointment today.

Bonus points under the Skilled Migrant Category

Additional points may be available to you if you meet certain criteria such as accepting a job offer outside of Auckland, your occupation is listed on the Long Term Skill Shortage List and you meet its requirements, or the offered remuneration exceeds a specific threshold. To learn more about skilled employment and its requirements, please visit our webpage.