Qualifications needed for a Post Study Work Visa
Check what qualifications you need to have recently completed in New Zealand to apply for a Post Study Work Visa. This could depend on when you applied for your student visa.
Who can apply for a Post Study Work Visa
You can apply for a Post Study Work Visa if you have completed:
- a degree qualification of level 7, that you studied for full-time, for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand, or
- a qualification at level 8 to 10 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that has been studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand, or
- a non-degree qualification of level 4 to 7, that you studied for full-time in New Zealand for the full duration required to gain the qualification, and which is on the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa.
About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)
| Qualification | Knowledge requirements (focus area) | Related jobs |
|---|---|---|
| A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7 | Highway engineering or civil engineering | Construction Project Manager |
| A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7 | Construction management or construction project management | Construction Project Manager or Project Builder |
| A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7 | Construction | Project Builder |
| A Graduate Diploma in Construction at NZQF Level 7 | Quantity Surveying | Quantity Surveyor |
| A Graduate Diploma in Quantity Surveying at NZQF Level 7 | not applicable (N/A) | Quantity Surveyor |
| A Graduate Diploma acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration and The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification. Registration and Certification — Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand |
N/A | Primary, Intermediate or Secondary School Teacher |
| Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or comparable qualification that is acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration. and The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification. Registration and Certification — Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand |
N/A | Early Childhood Teacher |
| A qualification at NZQF Level 7, with a letter from Engineering New Zealand certifying that the qualification and any further learning meet the benchmark requirements towards Chartered Professional Engineer professional status in New Zealand. | N/A | Engineer or Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical Engineering Technician |
| A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits | Highway engineering, construction or construction management | Construction Project Manager or Project Builder |
| A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits | Civil engineering | Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician |
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Civil Engineering, 240 credits | N/A | Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician |
| New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) Level 6 or higher | N/A | Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder |
| New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Quantity Surveying, 240 credits | N/A | Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder |
| New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Construction Economics, Construction Management or Building, 240 credits | N/A | Project Builder |
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Electrical Engineering, 240 credits | N/A | Telecommunications, Telecommunications Network Engineer or Electrical Engineering Technician |
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Electronics Engineering, 240 credits | N/A | Electronic Engineering Technician |
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Mechanical Engineering | N/A | Mechanical Engineering Technician |
| A diploma at NZQF Level 5 or higher | Farm management, agriculture or dairy technology | Dairy Cattle Farmer |
| A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher | New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (NZQF Level 4) | Automotive Electrician |
| A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher | New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4) | Diesel Motor Mechanic |
| A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher | Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming strands of the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) | Dairy Cattle Farmer |
| New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (Level 4) | N/A | Automotive Electrician |
| New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4) | N/A | Diesel Motor Mechanic |
| New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with a strand in Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming | N/A | Dairy Cattle Farmer |
If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022
If you applied for your student visa before 12 May 2022, and your qualification was not on the list of Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you may have still qualified for a Post Study Work Visa if your qualification was considered acceptable.
This does not apply to visa applications made after 11 May 2025.