ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations)
ANZSCO is the occupation classification New Zealand has used for decades to describe jobs and rank them by skill level. Each occupation has a six-digit code and a skill level from 1 to 5. It still governs the Green List and skilled residence, even though a New Zealand replacement now runs work visas.
Quick Facts
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations |
| Code format | Six digits, e.g. 233211 Civil Engineer |
| Skill levels | 1 to 5, where 1 is the highest |
| Still used for | The Green List (indexed by ANZSCO code in Appendix 13), skilled residence pathways, the Skilled Migrant Category skilled-work table |
| Being replaced by | The National Occupation List for AEWV and Job Check |
| Both live at once | Yes — this is the trap |
Why ANZSCO matters
Skill level is the hinge on which most New Zealand work and residence rules turn, and ANZSCO is where the skill level comes from.
Three concrete examples of what rides on it:
- Skilled work thresholds. Under the Skilled Migrant Category, ANZSCO skill levels 1–3 count as skilled work at NZD $35.00 an hour, while skill levels 4–5 and unlisted occupations require NZD $52.50 an hour.
- Partner support. A worker in a skill level 1–3 role can support a partner's work visa at NZD $28.00 an hour. In a skill level 4–5 role outside a sector agreement, the figure is NZD $52.50.
- English evidence. From 1 June 2026, jobs at ANZSCO or National Occupation List skill level 3 to 5 must show English evidence for a work visa. Skill levels 1 and 2 do not.
Get the code wrong and the wrong rules apply. An employer who submits a Job Check as skill level 1–3 for a job INZ assesses as 4–5 can have it declined and have to start again.
How the classification works
ANZSCO is hierarchical. The first digit is the broad group, and each further digit narrows the occupation until the full six digits identify a specific job title. So 233211 sits inside the engineering professionals group, and identifies Civil Engineer specifically.
Skill level is attached to the occupation, not to the person. It reflects the qualification and experience the classification treats as typical for that work — not what you personally hold. Someone with a master's degree working in a skill level 4 occupation is in a skill level 4 occupation.
One code can carry several named job titles. Code 252311 covers dental specialists, endodontists and orthodontists, for instance. That is how the instrument is written, and it is also why role counts and code counts differ when people try to total the Green List.
Practical help finding yours is at how to find your ANZSCO code.
The transition — and why both systems are live
New Zealand is part-way through replacing ANZSCO with its own classification, the National Occupation List, released on 20 November 2024. The migration is not uniform:
| System | Used for |
|---|---|
| ANZSCO | Green List (Appendix 13), skilled residence pathways, SMC skilled-work bands |
| National Occupation List | Job Check and Accredited Employer Work Visa applications submitted on or after 3 November 2025 |
Both are current. The Accredited Employer Work Visa recognises skill levels on either ANZSCO or the National Occupation List. The Green List does not — it is indexed by ANZSCO code in Appendix 13 of the INZ Operational Manual.
The practical consequence is uncomfortable but important: a migrant may need their occupation identified under the National Occupation List for the work visa, and under ANZSCO for the residence pathway, in the same journey. Side-by-side detail is at ANZSCO vs the National Occupation List and ANZSCO vs NOL skill levels.
What people get wrong about ANZSCO
Assuming ANZSCO is dead. It is not. It still runs the Green List and skilled residence. Announcements about its replacement describe the work-visa side of the system.
Assuming the two classifications agree. They do not have to. An occupation can sit at a different skill level on each, and the level that applies depends on which application you are making.
Matching on job title alone. INZ assesses the substance of the role — the tasks, responsibilities and requirements — not the title on the employment agreement. A title that reads "manager" does not make a role a management occupation.
Treating skill level as a judgment about the person. It is a property of the occupation. It says nothing about an individual's qualifications, and it is not a ranking of how valuable the work is.
Assuming your own skill level once and never rechecking. Skill levels move. On 9 March 2026, three roles dropped from skill level 3 to skill level 4 on the National Occupation List — pet groomer, nanny and kennel hand — while 47 further occupations were recognised at skill levels 1 to 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ANZSCO stand for?
Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. It is a shared classification listing occupations with a six-digit code and a skill level from 1 to 5.
Is ANZSCO still used in New Zealand immigration?
Yes. It still governs the Green List, which is indexed by ANZSCO code in Appendix 13 of the INZ Operational Manual, and it still underpins skilled residence pathways. The National Occupation List has taken over for Job Check and Accredited Employer Work Visa applications.
What is my ANZSCO skill level?
Skill level attaches to the occupation, not to you. INZ publishes a lookup tool for finding a job's skill level. Because the level drives pay thresholds and English requirements, it is worth checking against the occupation description rather than the job title.
What is the difference between ANZSCO and the National Occupation List?
ANZSCO is the shared trans-Tasman classification; the National Occupation List is New Zealand's own, released 20 November 2024, built to reflect the New Zealand labour market. Both are in use, for different applications. See ANZSCO vs the National Occupation List.
Do I need an ANZSCO code for the Green List?
The Green List is organised by ANZSCO code, so identifying the right code is how you establish whether an occupation is listed and which tier it sits in. Tier 1 is Straight to Residence and Tier 2 is Work to Residence.
Does ANZSCO skill level affect English language requirements?
Yes. From 1 June 2026, work visa applicants whose job is at ANZSCO or National Occupation List skill level 3 to 5 must show they can speak and understand English. Skill levels 1 and 2 do not require English evidence. See English language requirements for work visas.
