91 New Occupations Recognised Under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

thaku3
12 minutes ago
4 min read

Starting 3 November 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will begin recognising 91 new occupations from the National Occupation List (NOL) as eligible for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).This significant update aims to give accredited employers more flexibility to hire skilled migrants where genuine skill shortages exist while ensuring that New Zealanders remain the first priority for available jobs.

What This Means for Employers

Before hiring a migrant, employers must first advertise the role and make genuine attempts to recruit suitable New Zealanders. If no local candidates can fill the position, an Accredited Employer can then apply for a Job Check through INZ.

To pass the Job Check:

The job description and pay must accurately match the responsibilities and skill level of the occupation selected from the NOL.
The occupation must now fall within skill levels 1 to 3, as recognised by INZ.
Employers must still meet AEWV accreditation and pay minimum market rate or median wage requirements.

Opportunities for AEWV Holders

or AEWV holders, this update brings several benefits:

Those employed in skill level 1 to 3 roles will be eligible for longer stays in New Zealand.
They may also bring family members under dependent visa categories.
Migrants currently working in directly relevant skill level 4 or 5 roles may move into one of the 91 newly-recognised NOL roles, provided they can show:
- At least 3 years of directly relevant work experience, or
- A recognised qualification (Level 4 or above).

By meeting these criteria, workers can apply for a further AEWV to extend their maximum continuous stay to 5 years.

Why the Change Matters

This update is part of INZ’s ongoing work to align the AEWV framework with the National Occupation List, improving consistency and responsiveness to labour market needs.It also creates clearer pathways for career progression for migrant workers already in New Zealand — particularly those in hospitality, logistics, healthcare, trades, and manufacturing sectors.

How Employers Should Prepare

Check the updated NOL on Immigration New Zealand’s website from 3 November 2025.
Review your accreditation status and ensure all information is current.
Prepare to update your job check templates and advertising language to reflect the new NOL-recognised roles.
Ensure remuneration, duties, and qualifications align with the updated definitions of skill levels 1–3.

Summary of Key Benefits

Stakeholder	Benefits
Employers	Greater flexibility in recruitment, faster job check processing, access to new skill sets
Migrant Workers	Longer maximum stay, clearer upskilling opportunities, chance to bring dependents
New Zealand Workforce	Ensures New Zealanders remain first priority while filling verified shortages

Here’s a condensed version of most of the 91 NOL occupations added for AEWV eligibility,

Condensed Multi-Column Table of NOL Occupations

NOL Code`	Occupation	NOL Code	Occupation	NOL Code	Occupation	NOL Code	Occupation
311113	Irrigation Technician	311417	Calibration Technician	311418	Drug & Alcohol Tester	312917	Wind Turbine Technician
312918	Geothermal Technician	312921	Non-Destructive Testing Technician	312922	Irrigation Performance Assessor	312924	Cabinetry CAD Drawer
312925	Joinery Detailer	312926	Lifting Equipment Technician	321112	EV Mechanic/Technician	321215	Bicycle Technician
323114	Vehicle Integration Technician	323216	Agricultural Equipment Technician	323217	Heavy Equipment Technician	323218	CNC Programmer – Timber Joinery
323221	Senior Fleet Tyre Technician	331113	Concreter (Commercial)	331215	Joinery Site Joiner	331216	Joinery Apprentice
331217	Joinery Installer	333312	Waterproofer	361116	Animal Trainer	393214	Milliner
394112	Cabinetry Installer	394215	Joinery Machinist	394216	Joinery Technician	394217	Joinery Practitioner – Generalist
394218	Joinery Finisher	399518	Arts & Events Technician	399921	Fibre Composite Technician	399922	Security System Technician
399923	Snowsport Equipment Technician	411312	Lifestyles Coordinator	411718	Dementia Navigator	423124	Dementia Homeshare Coordinator
423125	Support Worker (Mental Health)	423126	Health Coach	431312	Senior Gaming Worker	431413	Concierge
431914	Winery Senior Cellar Hand	451313	Crematorium Technician	452112	Aqua Exercise Instructor	452113	Group Fitness Instructor
452114	Personal Trainer	452218	Adventure Tourism Operator	452326	Tennis Coach – Performance	452415	Athlete
711115	Supervisor – Clay/Glass/Stone	711315	Supervisor – Paper/Wood	711517	Supervisor – Plastics/Rubber	711717	Supervisor – Textile/Footwear
711915	Hazardous Materials Removalist	712214	Directional Drilling Worker	712312	CNC Operator – Timber Joinery	721113	Agrichemical Spraying Operator
721114	Groundspread Nutrient Applicator	731113	Oversize Load Pilot Escort	811212	Power Wash Technician	821413	Solar Installer
821715	Rope Access Technician	821716	Load Lifting Rigger	831122	Supervisor – Food & Drink	831314	Supervisor – Meat Processing
831315	Supervisor – Poultry Processing	831316	Supervisor – Seafood Processing	832116	Horticulture Post-Harvest Supervisor	841112	Aquaculture Farm Supervisor
841218	Field Crop Farm Supervisor	841221	Outdoor Crop Supervisor	841222	Fruit Production Supervisor	841223	Indoor Crop Supervisor
841224	Vineyard Supervisor	841226	Mixed Crop Farm Supervisor	841314	Forestry Supervisor	841317	Silviculture Operator
841413	Nursery Production Supervisor	841521	Mixed Livestock Supervisor	841526	Beef Cattle Supervisor	841527	Sheep Farm Supervisor
841531	Other Livestock Supervisor	841532	Poultry Farm Supervisor	841533	Senior Piggery Stockperson	841612	Mixed Crop & Livestock Supervisor
841918	Irrigation Manager	899416	Senior Tyre Technician

At Impact Immigration Advice, we help both employers and skilled workers navigate policy updates like these — ensuring compliance, clarity, and confidence in every AEWV application. Talk or email us today

📧 info@iianz.com 📞 027 6630 305🌐 www.impactimmigration.co.nz

Impact Immigration Advice