2015-Nov 06: 2015-Nov 06: Immediate Skill Shortage List Occupations and the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations

Visa Pak 235 - Information about Immediate Skill Shortage List Occupations and the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations and the requirements needed to be met by the applicant.

Visa Paks

6 November 2015

Immediate Skill Shortage List Occupations and the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations

Applicants for an essential skills work visa based on an Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL) occupation are required to meet the levels of qualification and work experience stipulated on the ISSL to meet the labour market test. In some cases this may not be the same level of qualification and/or work experience required by the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). 
 
Immigration instructions WK1.5 (c) (iii) support this, in stating that when assessing whether an applicant is suitably qualified by training and experience for a particular occupation, immigration officers must consider whether:

  • the applicant holds a relevant qualification which is comparable to the qualification described for that occupation in the ANZSCO; or
  • the applicant has the relevant work experience that the ANZSCO indicates may substitute for the required qualification; or
  • the employment is in an occupation included on the Essential Skills in Demand Lists and the applicant meets the relevant requirements specified for that occupation.

Work experience and qualification requirements listed on the ISSL are set at a level where workers are immediately required in New Zealand. When processing essential skills work visa applications under the ISSL, consideration should be given as to what the current skill shortage is within the industry in New Zealand.

Requirements for residence through the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) are different: some occupations on the ISSL do not have a pathway to residence. The SMC residence assessment should place an emphasis on the level of qualification and work experience and assess whether the skills required substantially match the description for that occupation as described in ANZSCO.   

There will be cases where an applicant meets ISSL requirements for an essential skills work visa, but does not meet the criteria for residence under the SMC for the same ANZSCO occupation.

It should be made clear to applicants that, if an assessment was made based on ISSL requirements, the qualification, work experience and occupation was assessed using the ISSL, not ANZSCO skill requirements. Therefore the outcome may not be the same for a SMC residence application, even if it is assessed under the same ANZSCO code.

Action

Please discuss with your team(s) and ensure they are aware when assessing occupations on the ISSL list.