The LTSSL identifies those occupations where there is an absolute (sustained and ongoing) shortage of skilled workers both globally and throughout New Zealand. Migrants, who gain employment in one of the occupations identified, may be granted a work permit under the LTSSL Work to Residence Policy. Skilled migrants who have an offer of employment, work experience and qualifications identified on the LTSSL will gain bonus points towards their application for residence.

The LTSSL is reviewed by the Department of Labour and this year’s review includes the following changes:

• the first column of the LTSSL (the occupational group) has been re-formatted for clarity
• three occupations have been added
• four occupations have moved from the Immediate Skills Shortage List (ISSL) to the LTSSL
• one occupation has been removed
• other changes have been made to some occupation requirements.

Formatting change

The first column of the LTSSL (the occupational group) has been changed to more accurately reflect the occupational groupings that the occupations fall in.

The order of occupations on the LTSSL has also changed to bring all the occupations under the same occupational group together on the list.

Addition of occupations

The following occupations will be added to the LTSSL:

• Ship’s Officer
• Ship’s Master
• Forest Scientist
• Conductor (Conductive Education Practitioner)*
• Construction Project Manager (Chip Sealing, Asphalt or other Technical Manager) (Roading and Infrastructure)*
• Construction Project Manager (Roading and Infrastructure)*
• Ship’s Engineer*

* The last four occupations in the list above have been deleted from the ISSL and added to the LTSSL.

Removal of occupations

The removal of the occupations from the list is the result of extensive consultation with industry groups, other stakeholders and relevant government agencies.

 
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. Immigration New Zealand will conduct a Labour Market Check (LMC) and if the outcome of the LMC is that there are no suitable New Zealand citizens or residents available in that location then temporary work visas or permits may still be granted.
 

The occupation being removed from the LTSSL with effect from Wednesday, 8 September 2010 is:

• Architect

Technical changes

Other changes to the LTSSL have been made to clarify certain qualification and work experience requirements for occupations on the LTSSL, as well as to clarify ANZSCO coding and naming conventions.  A summary of these amendments is outlined in the table below.

For more information see Amendment Circular 2010-12 [321KB] PDF, and the Essential Skills in Demand Lists.