Green List Occupations in New Zealand: Requirements & Job Roles
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Green List Occupations in New Zealand: Requirements & Job Roles

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Raj
Raj Vimal
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Dec 12, 2024 23:31 IST

New Zealand has opened its borders for international students and skilled workers to bridge unemployment. The Green List of Occupation portal has 200+ jobs listed by the NZ Government. This list includes job roles in different sectors of healthcare, construction, engineering, technology and primary & science-related roles which are vastly vacant in New Zealand. Each job role has a unique job code and specific eligibility requirements which must be taken care of while applying for a visa. 

Green List Occupations in New Zealand

What is Green List Occupation in New Zealand? The NZ government identifies these job roles as being in high demand and essential for the country's economic growth. These demanding fields are facing skill shortages that hinder workflow. The New Zealand Green List Visa is a fast-tracked process that aims to make it easier for skilled migrants to move to NZ.

These roles will have registration, qualification fulfilment or experience-related requirements, and more details that might be required while applying for the Green List Visa in New Zealand. In this blog, we will cover every relevant information related to the Green List Occupation in New Zealand. 

Read more: Post Study Work Permit in New Zealand 

Benefits of Green List in New Zealand 

There are numerous benefits for those falling under the green list of occupations in New Zealand other than just getting a job and residential benefits. These other benefits include: 

  • All qualifications listed as eligibility requirements are based on NZQF
  • The Green List provides a fast track to the residence and a work-to-residence pathway.  
  • It takes only a month for green-listed visa applications to be assessed and reviewed in New Zealand. 
  • If the applicants find themselves on the list as per their qualifications, they can apply directly and upon getting a job, apply for the visa. 
  • The spouses of those candidates falling under the green list of occupations in New Zealand will also be given the right to work. 

Green List Occupations List in New Zealand 

All 85 job roles have been segregated as per their broad streams, mentioned in the Green List of Occupations for New Zealand. Each job role has a separate code and may or may not differ in terms of eligibility criteria. 

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Construction Job Roles in New Zealand

The following job roles are offered in the construction sector for those having a background in building-related degrees: 

Construction Roles 

Eligibility to Apply 

Role Code 

Construction Project Manager  

  • Bachelor of Engineering (H) - NZQF Level 8 or, 
  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology - NZQF Level 7 or, 
  • Bachelor of Construction - NZQF Level 7 

ANZSCO 133111 

Project Builder 

  • Bachelor's degree - NZQF Level 7, or  
  • Graduate Diploma - NZQF Level 7, or  
  • Diploma - NZQF Level 6 

ANZSCO 133112 

Quantity Surveyor 

  • A bachelor's degree at NZQF Level 7 or, 
  • Student or Affiliate Membership, of the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (with an overseas degree approved by NZIQS) 

ANZSCO 233213 

Surveyor  

  • Bachelor of Surveying - NZQF Level 7 or 
  • Bachelor of Surveying (Honours) - NZQF Level 8 
  • Registered as a Professional Surveyor with New Zealand Institute of Surveyors or 
  • Professional Associate Membership or an Overseas Member of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors (with an overseas degree approved by NZIS) 

ANZSCO 232212 

Check: Cost of Studying in New Zealand for International Students 








Engineering Job Roles in New Zealand

There are over 15+ job roles mentioned for those holding an engineering degree and willing to settle in New Zealand with a job. The following engineers are in the green list of occupations in New Zealand: 







Engineering Roles 

Eligibility to Apply 

Role Code 

Chemical Engineer 

  • Washington Accord accredited engineering degree, or 
  • Bachelor of Engineering (H) - NZQF Level 8. 

ANZSCO 233111 

Materials Engineer 

ANZSCO 233112 

Civil Engineer 

ANZSCO 233211 

Geotechnical Engineer 

ANZSCO 233212 

Structural Engineer 

ANZSCO 233214 

Electrical Engineer 

ANZSCO 233311 

Electronics Engineer 

ANZSCO 233411 

Environmental Engineer 

ANZSCO 233915 

Industrial Engineer  

ANZSCO 233511 

Mechanical Engineer 

ANZSCO 233512 

Production or Plant Engineer 

ANZSCO 233513 

Engineering Professionals 

ANZSCO 233999 

Civil Engineering Technician  

  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology - Civil Engineering of NZQF Level 7 or, 
  • Diploma at NZQF Level 6 

ANZSCO 312212 

 
 

Electrical Engineering Technician  

  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology - Electrical and Electronic Engineering of NZQF Level 8 or, 
  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electrical Engineering - NZQF Level 7 
  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electrical and Electronic Engineering - NZQF Level 7 

ANZSCO 312312 

Electronic Engineering Technician  

  • Bachelor's degree - NZQF Level 7, or 
  • Diploma - NZQF Level 6, or 
  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electronic Engineering or Electrical and Electronic Engineering - NZQF Level 7, or 
  • Bachelor of Engineering (H) in Electronic Engineering, or Electrical and Electronic Engineering - NZQF Level 8 

ANZSCO 312412 

Telecommunications Engineer 

  • Bachelor of Engineering (H) in Network Engineering - NZQF Level 8, or 
  • Bachelor of Engineering - NZQF Level 7, or 
  • Bachelor of Engineering Technology - NZQF Level 7 

ANZSCO 263311 

Telecommunications Network Engineer  

ANZSCO 263312 

Check: Top Courses in New Zealand 

Health & Social Services Job Roles in New Zealand

This is the most popular job sector with the maximum number of job roles, the following is a brief of the job roles that fall under this sector as per the green list occupations of New Zealand: 

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Health & Social Services Job Roles 

Requirements  

Role Code 

General Practitioner 

Registration within a relevant provisional general, provisional vocational or vocational scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand 

ANZSCO 253111 

Anaesthetist  

ANZSCO 253211 

Psychiatrist 

ANZSCO 253411 

Specialist Physicians nec 

ANZSCO 253399 

Surgeon (General) 

ANZSCO 253511 

Cardiothoracic Surgeon 

ANZSCO 253512 

Neurosurgeon 

ANZSCO 253513 

Orthopaedic Surgeon 

ANZSCO 253514 

Vascular Surgeon 

ANZSCO 253521 

Urologist 

ANZSCO 253518 

Otorhinolaryngologist 

ANZSCO 253515 

Dermatologist 

ANZSCO 253911 

Obstetrician and Gynaecologist 

ANZSCO 253913 

Ophthalmologist 

ANZSCO 253914 

Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists 

ANZSCO 253917 

Radiation Oncologist 

ANZSCO 253918 

Resident Medical Officer 

ANZSCO 253112 

Medical Laboratory Scientist 

Registration in the scope of practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist by the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand. 

ANZSCO 234611 

Clinical Psychologist 

Registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board 

ANZSCO 272311 

Educational Psychologist 

Registration within a relevant scope of practice with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. 

ANZSCO 272312 

Organisational Psychologist 

ANZSCO 272313 

Psychotherapist 

ANZSCO 272314 

Psychologists 

ANZSCO 272399 

Physicist (Medical) 

One of the following minimum requirements: 

  • Certification by the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers (ACPSEM) in Medicine as a Medical Physicist 
  • Registration or eligibility for registration on the ACPSEM Register of Qualified Medical Physics Specialists 
  • Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council, United Kingdom and Membership of the Institute of Physics and Engineering Medicine, United Kingdom 
  • Certification as a Medical Physicist by the American Board of Radiology in Medical Physics 
  • Certification of Competence in Clinical Medical Physics as a Member of the Canadian College of Physics in Medicine. 

ANZSCO 234914 

Orthoptist 

Registration from the New Zealand Orthoptics Society Inc. 

ANZSCO 251412 

Veterinarian 

Registration from the Veterinary Council of New Zealand 

ANZSCO 234711 

Anaesthetic technician 

Registered in the scope of practice as an Anaesthetic Technician by the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand. 

ANZSCO 311211 

 
 

Medical diagnostic 

Registration in the scope of practice as a Medical Imaging Technologist with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board. 

ANZSCO 251211 

Medical laboratory technician 

Registered in the scope of practice as a Medical Laboratory Technician by the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand. 

ANZSCO 311213 

Medical radiation therapist 

Registration in the scope of practice as a Radiation Therapist with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board. 

ANZSCO 251212 

Occupational therapist 

Registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand. 

ANZSCO 252411 

Sonographer 

Registered to practice as a Sonographer with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board. 

ANZSCO 251214 

Podiatrist 

Registered with the New Zealand Podiatry Board. 

ANZSCO 252611 

Audiologist 

Registered with the New Zealand Audiological Society. 

ANZSCO 252711 

Registered Nurse (Aged Care) 

Registered to be in practice with the Nursing Council of New Zealand. 

ANZSCO 254412 

Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) 

ANZSCO 254413 

Registered Nurse (Community Health) 

ANZSCO 254414 

Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) 

ANZSCO 254415 

Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) 

ANZSCO 254416 

Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) 

ANZSCO 254417 

Registered Nurse (Medical) 

ANZSCO 254418 

Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) 

ANZSCO 254421 

Registered Nurse (Mental Health) 

ANZSCO 254422 

Registered Nurse (Perioperative) 

ANZSCO 254423 

Registered Nurse (Surgical) 

ANZSCO 254424 

Registered Nurse (paediatrics) 

ANZSCO 254425 

Registered Nurses 

ANZSCO 254499 

Midwife 

NZ registration in the relevant scope of practice with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. 

ANZSCO 254111 

Secondary school teacher 

Registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, and a provisional practising certificate issued by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, and 

employment must be for a position as a teacher. 

ANZSCO 241411 

Early childhood (pre-primary School) teacher 

NZ registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, and a provisional practising certificate issued by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. 

ANZSCO 241111 

Read: Student’s Spouse Visa in New Zealand   

Primary Industries & Science Job Roles in New Zealand

There are just three job roles that fall under this sector as per the green list of occupations in New Zealand: 

Primary Industries & Science Job Roles 

Eligibility Requirements  

Job Code 

Other Spatial Scientist 

Bachelor's degree - NZQF Level 7 with a major in computer science or geography 

ANZSCO 232214 

Environmental Research Scientist 

NZQF Level 8 or higher qualification with a major in Environmental Studies or Environmental Management or Environmental Engineering. 

ANZSCO 234313 

Food Technologist 

One of the following: 

  • Bachelor of Food Technology (H) in Food Product Technology or Food Process Engineering - NZQF Level 8. 
  • NZQF Level 7 with majors in nutrition, food science, food technology or food engineering. 

ANZSCO 234212 

Get More Info About: Part-Time Work Options in New Zealand 

ICT, Electronics & Telecommunications Job Roles in New Zealand

The following job roles are a part of this job sector, as per the green list occupations of New Zealand:  

ICT, Electronics & Telecommunications Job Roles 

Employment Requirements 

Job Code 

Chief Information Officer 

Remuneration for the employment must be NZD 57.69 an hour or more, or the equivalent annual salary. 

ANZSCO 135111 

ICT Project Manager 

ANZSCO 135112 

ICT Managers 

ANZSCO 135199 

Software Engineer 

ANZSCO 261313 

ICT Security Specialist 

ANZSCO 262112 

Multimedia Specialist 

Remuneration for the employment must be NSD 45.67 an hour or above, or the equivalent annual salary. 

ANZSCO 261211 

Read more: Popular Job Sectors in New Zealand 

Trade Roles in New Zealand 

There are a few job roles offered under the trade roles as proposed in the green list of occupations in New Zealand, they are as follows: 

Trades Roles 

Requirements  

Job Code 

Automotive electrician 

A certificate at NZQF Level 4, or a higher qualification, which includes the credit and knowledge requirements of one of the strands of the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (NZQF Level 4). 

ANZSCO 321111 

Diesel motor mechanic (including heavy vehicle inspector) 

A certificate at NZQF Level 4, or a higher qualification, which includes the credit and knowledge requirements of the New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4). 

ANZSCO 321212 

Electrician (general) 

NZ registration as an electrician or a limited certificate as an electrician from the Electrical Workers Registration Board. 

ANZSCO 341111 

Plumber (general) 

Registration as either a certifying plumber, tradesman plumber; or journeyman plumber with the New Zealand Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. 

ANZSCO 334111 

If the applicants are eligible and have worked in any of the above-mentioned jobs, they can go to New Zealand on a work visa and apply for residence. Minimum salary requirements will apply for some jobs and will change with the median wage each year.  

Visa Requirements for Green List Occupants in New Zealand

In order to work and stay in New Zealand while having an occupation on the Green List in New Zealand, there are two visas which can be granted. One visa is for a residence visa and the other one is work to a residence visa in New Zealand. Check out the details below:

Straight to Residence Visa in New Zealand

In order to get a visa that straightaway gives the applicant the benefit of citizenship, then he/she must have an offer in hand or should be working at the moment of application. Also should have a tier 1 job role on the Green List of Occupations. Further details are as follows:

  • Length of stay on this visa is permanent hence no renewals are required.
  • Applicants should be 55 years of age maximum, but those below 55 years would be preferable.
  • The processing time for this visa is 11 months for 90% of the cases.
  • The cost of this visa is around NZD 4,290 which is INR 2,21,724 as of September 25, 2024. 
  • Applicants can also add their dependents who are below the age of 24 and they should be financially dependent on the applicant filing the application.

This visa application can be filed from New Zealand or from outside New Zealand, there are no restrictions. But there must be an offer in hand.

Work to Residence Visa in New Zealand

This is the next best option for those who wish to work in New Zealand on the Green List of Occupations. Those applying for this visa should be working or have a job offer from an employer from the Green List of Occupations in New Zealand. Also, the applicant must have worked in a tier 2 Green List job for at least 2 years. Applicants applying for this visa should note the following pointers:

  • Once this visa is granted, applicants can stay in New Zealand for an indefinite period. 
  • Applicants should be 55 years of age or younger.
  • The cost of this visa is the same as that of the visa mentioned above, that is, NZD 4,290. 
  • When applying the applicants must have an offer in hand or should be working.
  • Applicants must have a full-time job offer or a permanent offer which should last for at least 1 year.
  • Dependents who have separately applied for a study visa or work visa should apply with the applicant applying for this visa only.

At present the applications are closed for this visa, they shall begin accepting applications from September end onwards. 

Check: New Zealand Student Visa Guide 

Candidates looking for assistance with universities in New Zealand can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors on our website. Readers with queries can get in touch with us in the comments section below.

Q:   What is the Green List of occupations in New Zealand?

A:

The Green List in New Zealand is a list of occupations that are in high demand in the country. The green list of occupations in New Zealand is a set of 85 occupations that come under the skilled workers list which has been released to fill in the vacant job roles in New Zealand through accredited employers. 

Q:   What does Green List in New Zealand immigration mean?

A:

The Green List provides two pathways for residence – a fast track or work to residence path. There is also a pathway to Eligible migrants working in these occupations or who are paid twice the median wage will have clear pathways to residence. A review is underway of the Skilled Migrant Category.  

Q:   How are employers benefitted with green listed job roles in New Zealand?

A:

If an employer wishes to hire a migrant on the Accredited Employer Work visa and the role is on the green list, they need not advertise for a job check. The employer can complete the job check without proof of advertising as long as the minimum requirements for the role match the minimum requirements given in the green list.  

Q:   Is New Zealand good for Indian students?

A:

With a good educational system, excellent quality of life, and a number of research opportunities, New Zealand offers a lot to international students. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand has a 39 percent population of overseas citizens, making it a culturally diverse city. Moreover, the post-study work visa in New Zealand can offer up to three years of stay back. As per Stats New Zealand, its unemployment rate is 3.4 percent. Students enrolled in a course of 12 months or more can also work part-time in New Zealand for up to 20 hours a week during the semester and holidays.

Q:   Which course is better, Master in Management or Master in Project Management at the University of Auckland, New Zealand?

A:

The University of Auckland offers the best UG and PG programs for international students at an affordable tuition fees. Auckland Unversity Master in Project Management is slightly better than the Master in Management because of its tuition fees for first year. Mentioned below is the tuition fees for first-year for international students:

ProgramFirst Year Tuition Fees
Master in Project ManagementINR 25.11 L
Master in ManagementINR 26.11 L

Q:   How much funds are needed for a New Zealand study visa?

A:

 International students need to show sufficient funds for getting a New Zealand student visa. Students need to show NZ$ 20,000 for a full year of study or NZ$ 1,250 per month for getting a New Zealand study visa.

Cost of New Zealand Student Visa Application

  • New Zealand Visa Cost: Students who are submitting their Student Visa Application online are required to pay a base Visa fee of NZD 375 which is INR 19,200 (approximately).
  • Candidates who are applying for their Student Visa online from New Delhi are required to pay NZD 430 which is INR 22,000 (approximately) as the receiving centre fees.
  • Those applying for a student visa in New Zealand on paper (offline mode) should note that the immigration costs would be INR 22,600, in addition to this students are required to pay a receiving Centre fee of INR 1,520.

Q:   What is the cost of studying in New Zealand?

A:

The tuition fees that a student would need to pay will depend on the type of qualification and the university they are looking at to pursue their education. While courses such as humanities, education, and arts are likely to cost less pursuing subjects such as medicine and engineering costs on the higher side.

The below table sheds light on the tuition fee charged level-wise in New Zealand from international students applying to their universities:

Study Program Level

Annual Costs in NZD

Diploma or Certificate courses

NZD 23,000 - NZD 47,000

English Language courses

NZD 350 (per week)

Undergraduate degree

NZD 22,000 - NZD 32,000

Master's degree

NZD 26,000 - NZD 37,000 

Doctoral degree

NZD 6,500 - NZD 9,000  

Q:   Is living in New Zealand expensive?

A:

The cost of living does not includes only the tuition fee but also other expenses like textbooks, NON-tuition fee, accommodation cost and other personal expenses. The moment a student lands in New Zealand, they need to pay $35 international visitor and tourism conservation levy. The living cost can vary as per the accommodation option, location and personal spending habits.

In addition to your tuition and insurance fees, you will need between $20,000 and $25,000 per year ($380–480 per week) for accommodation/rent, food expenses, transportation costs, phone bills, internet usage and entertainment.

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Raj Vimal
Study Abroad Expert

Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio

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All courses in ANZ

Armed with B.Com from Delhi University, Anuradha Sharma has accumulated rich experience as an education counsellor. She is especially adept at handling Australia and NZ admission procedure. Before becoming a GTE Exp... Read Full Bio

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