Eligible occupations for the SMC Trades and Technician pathway (August 2026)
Find out what trades and technician occupations will be eligible for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (SMC) from late August 2026.
On 5 March 2026, we announced more details about changes to the SMC, including which occupations will be eligible for the new Trades and Technician pathway. You can find the full list of eligible Trades and Technician occupations on this page, including their
To be eligible for the SMC Trades and Technician pathway in August 2026, you will need to:
- work in an eligible trades and technician occupation
- have a relevant Level 4 or above qualification, and
- have at least 4 years of directly relevant work experience gained post qualification, including 1.5 years in New Zealand earning at least the SMC median wage.
Pay rates for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
You can find out more about changes to the SMC in our News Centre.
Further changes to the Skilled Migrant Category to come into effect in August 2026
List of eligible Trades and Technician occupations
| ANZSCO code | Trades and Technician occupation |
|---|---|
| 311111 | Agricultural Technician (Skill Level 2) – specifying irrigation designer and excluding sheep scanner, animal pregnancy scanner |
| 334112 | Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber (Skill Level 3) |
| 342111 | Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| 393211 | Apparel Cutter (Skill Level 3) |
| 312199 | Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians nec (Skill Level 2) |
| 312111 | Architectural Draftsperson (Skill Level 2) |
| 321111 | Automotive Electrician (Skill Level 3) |
| 322111 | Blacksmith (Skill Level 3) |
| 399111 | Boat Builder and Repairer (Skill Level 3) |
| 312999 | Building and Engineering Technicians nec (Skill Level 2) |
| 312112 | Building Associate (Skill Level 2) |
| 312113 | Building Inspector (Skill Level 2) |
| 452211 | Bungy Jump Master (Skill Level 2) |
| 342311 | Business Machine Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| 351211 | Butcher or Smallgoods Maker (Skill Level 3) |
| 399512 | Camera Operator (Film, Television or Video) (Skill Level 3) |
| 331211 | Carpenter and Joiner (Skill Level 3) |
| 311411 | Chemistry Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| 312211 | Civil Engineering Draftsperson (Skill Level 2) |
| 393212 | Clothing Patternmaker (Skill Level 3) |
| 393299 | Clothing Trades Workers nec (Skill Level 3) |
| 312114 | Construction Estimator (Skill Level 2) |
| 321212 | Diesel Motor Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| 399911 | Diver (Skill Level 3) |
| 452311 | Diving Instructor (Open water) (Skill Level 3) |
| 393213 | Dressmaker or Tailor (Skill Level 3) |
| 311412 | Earth Science Technician |
| 312311 | Electrical Engineering Draftsperson (Skill Level 2) |
| 312411 | Electronic Engineering Draftsperson (Skill Level 2) |
| 342313 | Electronic Equipment Trades Worker (Skill Level 3) |
| 342314 | Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General) (Skill Level 3) |
| 342315 | Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class) (Skill Level 3) |
| 322112 | Electroplater (Skill Level 3) |
| 323411 | Engineering Patternmaker (Skill Level 3) |
| 323311 | Engraver (Skill Level 3) |
| 322113 | Farrier (Skill Level 3) |
| 333211 | Fibrous Plasterer (Skill Level 3) |
| 399918 | Fire Protection Equipment Technician (Skill Level 3) |
| 323211 | Fitter (General) (Skill Level 3) |
| 323212 | Fitter and Turner (Skill Level 3) |
| 323213 | Fitter-Welder (Skill Level 3) |
| 332111 | Floor Finisher (Skill Level 3) |
| 333111 | Glazier (Skill Level 3) |
| 313111 | Hardware Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| 311415 | Hydrographer |
| 711211 | Industrial Spray Painter (Skill Level 3) |
| 399411 | Jeweller (Skill Level 3) |
| 331213 | Joiner (Skill Level 3) |
| 711713 | Knitting Machine Operator (Skill Level 3) |
| 393112 | Leather Goods Maker (Skill Level 3) |
| 399312 | Library Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| 311413 | Life Science Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| 341113 | Lift Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| 399513 | Light Technician (Skill Level 3) |
| 323313 | Locksmith (Skill Level 3) |
| 231299 | Marine Transport Professional nec (Skill Level 2) |
| 312511 | Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson (Skill Level 3) |
| 311299 | Medical Technicians NEC (Skill Level 2) |
| 322114 | Metal Casting Trades Worker (Skill Level 3) |
| 322311 | Metal Fabricator (Skill Level 3) |
| 323299 | Metal Fitters and Machinists nec (Skill Level 3) |
| 323214 | Metal Machinist (First Class) (Skill Level 3) |
| 322115 | Metal Polisher (Skill Level 3) |
| 312912 | Metallurgical or Materials Technician |
| 321211 | Motor Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| 321213 | Motorcycle Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| 399515 | Musical Instrument Maker or Repairer |
| 263112 | Network Administrator (Skill Level 1) |
| 332211 | Painting Trades Worker (Skill Level 3) |
| 324111 | Panel beater (Skill Level 3) |
| 712916 | Paper and Pulp Mill Operator (Skill Level 3) |
| 711311 | Paper Products Machine Operator (Skill Level 3) |
| 399599 | Performing Arts Technicians nec (Skill Level 3) |
| 399916 | Plastics Technician (Skill Level 3) |
| 312115 | Plumbing Inspector (Skill Level 2) |
| 323314 | Precision Instrument Maker and Repairer (Skill Level 3) |
| 392311 | Printing Machinist (Skill Level 3) |
| 313211 | Radiocommunications Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| 333311 | Roof Tiler (Skill Level 3) |
| 393113 | Sail Maker (Skill Level 3) |
| 323315 | Saw Doctor (Skill Level 3) |
| 311414 | School Laboratory Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| 311499 | Science Technicians nec (Skill Level 2) |
| 392112 | Screen Printer (Skill Level 3) |
| 711611 | Sewing Machinist (Skill Level 3) |
| 322211 | Sheetmetal Trades Worker (Skill Level 3) |
| 399112 | Shipwright (Skill Level 3) |
| 399611 | Signwriter (Skill Level 3) |
| 321214 | Small Engine Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| 392312 | Small Offset Printer (Skill Level 3) |
| 333212 | Solid Plasterer (Skill Level 3) |
| 399516 | Sound Technician (Skill Level 3) |
| 331112 | Stonemason (Skill Level 3) |
| 312116 | Surveying or Spatial Science Technician (Skill Level 2) |
| 399999 | Technicians and Trades Workers nec (Skill Level 3) – noting that the following roles only meet the criteria: Airborne Electronics Analyst; Canoe maker; Fibre Composite Technician; Irrigation Designer; Kayak Maker; Pearl Technician; Surfboard Maker |
| 342412 | Telecommunications Cable Jointer (Skill Level 3) |
| 313212 | Telecommunications Field Engineer (Skill Level 2) |
| 342413 | Telecommunications Lines worker / Telecommunications Line Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| 313214 | Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist (Skill Level 2) |
| 323215 | Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic (Skill Level 3) |
| 323412 | Toolmaker (Skill Level 3) |
| 324211 | Vehicle Body Builder (Skill Level 3) |
| 324311 | Vehicle Painter (Skill Level 3) |
| 361311 | Veterinary Nurse (Skill Level 3) |
| 333411 | Wall and Floor Tiler (Skill Level 3) |
| 712921 | Waste Water or Water Plant Operator (Skill Level 3) |
| 323316 | Watch and Clock Maker and Repairer (Skill Level 3) |
| 322313 | Welder (Skill Level 3) |
| 394213 | Wood Machinist (Skill Level 3) |
| 394299 | Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers nec (Skill Level 3) |