Skill shortage review process
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment are reviewing the approach to skills shortage lists, and are not updating them at this time.
About the skill shortages lists
New Zealand competes internationally for skilled workers. Workers with skills on the Essential Skills in Demand (ESID) lists usually find it easier to apply for temporary work and some resident visas.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has 3 lists that record the skill shortages in New Zealand, based partly on suggestions from employers and trade unions. They are the:
- Long Term Skill Shortage List
- Regional Skill Shortage List
- Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List.
These lists include skilled occupations that New Zealand employers find it difficult to recruit for. You can search the lists online.
Skill shortage list check | Online tool
Skill shortages — Essential Skills in Demand Lists
2021 review
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment are reviewing the approach to skills shortage lists, and are not updating them at this time.
The review includes disestablishing the Regional Skill Shortage List and the Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List, as well as creating new city skill shortage lists.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.