2016-May 20: Removal of Assistant Herd Manager and Herd Manager from the Immediate Skill Shortage List

Visa Pak 260 - Advice for staff about occupations removed from the Immediate Skill Shortage List and requirements when submitting work visa applications for the occupations mentioned.

Visa Paks

20 May 2016
 
Previous advice to staff (8 April 2016) indicated that further changes to the Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL) would take place in May 2016.

On 30 May 2016, the following four occupations will be removed from the ISSL. This will require employers to carry out a labour market test to ensure that suitable New Zealanders get first opportunity for these positions:

  • Beef Cattle Farmer (Assistant Herd Manager)
  • Beef Cattle Farmer (Herd Manager)
  • Dairy Cattle Farmer (Assistant Herd Manager)
  • Dairy Cattle Farmer (Herd Manager)

In the case of farming occupations, there are only two options under ANZSCO to assess these occupations – Skill Level 1 – Farmers and Farm Managers, or Skill Level 5 – Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers. Farmers and Farm Managers plan, organise, control, coordinate and perform farming operations; Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers perform routine farming tasks. While on the ISSL, Assistant Herd Manager (AHM) and Herd Manager (HM) have been assessed as an ANZSCO Skill Level 1 occupation under Unit Group 1213 Livestock Farmers.

Skill Level 1 occupations require five years’ work experience or a NZQF Level 7 qualification. Currently under the ISSL, AHM and HM only require two years’ experience and/or a National Certificate in Agriculture in the relevant strand at Level 2-5. Based on the lower level of work experience and qualification that is currently required to meet the ISSL, we would not expect to see these occupations assessed under the Skill Level 1 occupation code once they are removed from the ISSL on 30 May 2016. Therefore, these occupations will now likely be classified under the Skill Level 5 occupation ANZSCO codes.

As a result, applications for AHM and HM will now likely require a Skills Match Report (SMR) prepared by Work and Income to support their applications.

Action
Please discuss with your team(s) and ensure applications for AHM and HM are supported by a SMR from 30 May 2016, as they are likely to be assessed under the ANZSCO Skill Level 5 classification.