2016-Apr 01: Essential Skills – Skills Match Report mandatory for low-skilled occupations from 11 April 2016

Visa Pak 253 - Advice for staff about Skills Match report mandatory to be included with essential skills work visa applications for low skilled occupations from 11 April 2016.

Visa Paks

01 April 2016 
 
From 11 April 2016, Essential Skills work visa applications for low-skilled roles (ANZSCO skill level 4-5) must include a Skills Match Report (SMR) at lodgement. Until 11 April, SMRs remain voluntary. Employers obtain an SMR by engaging with Work and Income and considering any suitable New Zealanders referred to them. The new process does not apply to job offers in Canterbury (WK2.11) or in the Queenstown region if included on the Work and Income Queenstown exemption list.

Queenstown exemption list  [No longer available on the Work and Income website]

Immigration instructions and Standard Operating Procedures will be published next week.

Skill level 1-3 roles should not be referred to Work and Income

Previous advice has highlighted that Essential Skills work visa applications for skilled roles (skill level 1-3) do not require Work and Income advice. Work and Income have confirmed their primary focus is on lower-skilled occupations (skill levels 4-5). Immigration officers should not refer skilled occupations through the Labour Market Check Portal or request an SMR be completed for a skilled occupation after the visa application has been lodged.

Action
Please discuss with your team(s) and ensure staff processing work visa applications are aware of the changes to Essential Skills processes. If queries from employers are received, they can be directed to the following resources:

Employer guide [PDF, 340Kb] 

Essential Skills Work Visa