See the full Essential Skills in Demand Lists for the up to date versions of these lists. For more information about the review process see the review of the Essential Skills in Demand Lists.
The LTSSL identifies occupations that have an absolute (sustained and ongoing) shortage of skilled workers both globally and throughout New Zealand. Migrants who gain employment in one of these occupations may be granted a work visa under the LTSSL Work to Residence or Essential Skills instructions. Migrants applying for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category may gain bonus points towards their application if they have an offer of employment, work experience or qualifications in an area of absolute skill shortage identified on the LTSSL.
The recent review has resulted in several changes to the LTSSL, including the addition of one occupation, the removal of 13 occupations, and changes in the requirements for several listed occupations.
The following occupation has been added to the LTSSL:
The occupations which have been removed from the LTSSL are:
The removal of these occupations is the result of extensive consultation with industry groups, other stakeholders and relevant government agencies alongside analysis of economic, labour market and immigration data.
Employers can still recruit migrants in occupations that have been removed from the list. The employer will need to demonstrate genuine attempts to recruit suitable New Zealand citizens or residents and Immigration New Zealand will conduct a labour market test. If this test shows that there are no suitable New Zealand citizens or residents available in that location, temporary work visas may still be granted.
Changes to the following occupations on the LTSSL have been made to clarify certain qualification, work experience or registration requirements:
The ISSL identifies occupations that have an immediate shortage of skilled workers either throughout New Zealand or in certain regions. People wishing to work in occupations listed on the ISSL may be granted work visas under Essential Skills instructions if they fit the skills criteria.
The recent review identified three occupations (Ambulance Officer (Basic Life Support), Fruit or Nut Grower (Orchard Manager), and Motorcycle Mechanic) to be removed from the ISSL as demand for migrants for these occupations is very small and other immigration mechanisms would be more suitable to meet this demand should no New Zealand workers be available to train or work in this occupation. Three occupations (Café or Restaurant Manager, Motor Mechanic (General) (Automotive Technician), and Truck Driver) will be removed from the ISSL at the end of 2013. No new occupations have been added to the ISSL.
In addition, the following changes have been made to the ISSL:
