2017-Mar 17: Vehicle Inspectors

Visa Pak 302: Guidelines for staff on how to assess applications for Vehicle Inspectors.

Visa Paks

17 March 2017

Vehicle Inspectors


We have had a number of recent queries regarding the assessment of ‘Vehicle Inspectors’. The occupation of ‘Vehicle Inspector’ is not currently classified as a separate occupation under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). As the occupation does not exist under ANZSCO, advice has been agreed upon regarding how to assess applications where a client claims ‘Vehicle Inspector’ as their occupation, with specific regard to determining a substantial match to ANZSCO.

Appendix 4 of the Operational Manual (Long Term Skill Shortage List) lists ‘Heavy Vehicle Inspector’ under Diesel Motor Mechanic. Following this, ‘Light Vehicle Inspector’ would therefore fall under Motor Mechanic – General (currently on the Immediate Skill Shortage List). Generally, Vehicle Inspectors will only be undertaking limited tasks listed under Unit Group 3212 – Motor Mechanics due to the fact they will only be performing the testing aspect of the core tasks and duties listed under ANZSCO. However, there is no suitable alternative ANZSCO classification.

Organisations such as Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ) are authorised vehicle testing agencies that assess Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and Certificate of Fitness (CoF) for both light and heavy vehicles. These organisations are not permitted within the terms of their contractual agreements with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to carry out maintenance or repairs of motor vehicles. This is to ensure they are an independent and impartial testing agency. Vehicle Inspectors are required to be qualified/experienced automotive technicians in order to undertake this role under NZTA requirements.

Determining a substantial match to ANZSCO is not a tick box exercise but a “question of fact and degree in the context of the applicant’s employment.” The Immigration and Protection Tribunal has consistently stated that “a substantial match is not achieved simply by ticking off a list of the actual tasks against a particular ANZSCO classification. It is a holistic assessment of the actual tasks undertaken by an applicant, the nature of their employment and the context in which that employment takes place.”

This is not the same as applicants not undertaking tasks due to employer/management involvement. The situation with the occupation of Vehicle Inspectors is confined by a contractual obligation with a government department which restricts the applicant from performing all tasks listed under Unit Group 3212 in order to maintain their position as an independent and impartial testing agency. This is different to the situation where an employer limits the performance of key ANZSCO tasks and duties simply due to their own involvement in the business.