How we recognise skilled work experience for Skilled Migrant Visas

If you claimed points for your work experience in your expression of interest for a skilled migrant visa, you need to show that you have that experience when you apply.

We recognise skilled work experience in 2 ways

Your work experience can be in:

the same occupation you have claimed skilled employment points for, or
a different occupation at skill levels 1, 2 or 3 on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

You need to show that you had the relevant qualification before you started that work experience.

Check the ANZSCO list to find the job that best matches the work experience you are claiming points for.

Check the ANZSCO list

Work experience in an occupation at skill level 1, 2 or 3 on the ANZSCO list

The work you did must:

mostly match the ANZSCO description for that occupation, and
have been started after you completed the ANZSCO qualification or work experience needed for that occupation.

If you do not have the qualification listed in ANZSCO for your occupation

If you do not have the relevant recognised qualification listed in the ANZSCO, you can substitute the qualification with relevant work experience. Check your occupation in ANZSCO to find out how many years of relevant work experience you need to replace the qualification.

If your occupation is skill level 1

You can substitute 5 years of relevant work experience for the ANZSCO qualification — even if the ANZSCO does not state this.

If you do not qualify for points for skilled employment

The work you did must also have been gained in:

a comparable labour market, or
an area of absolute skills shortage.

Long Term Skill Shortage List

If the work was in a comparable labour market, you must have been a citizen or permanent resident of the country you did the work in, or been legally allowed to work in that country.

Work experience not in an ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3 occupation

The work you did must have been in the same occupation you are claiming skilled employment points for. This applies to work experience in an ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 occupation that is treated as an exception.

You must qualify for the skilled employment points and have met one of these requirements:

You completed a relevant recognised qualification at or above an NZQF level 4 Certificate.
You completed a relevant recognised NZQF level 3 qualification on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment.
You completed 3 years of relevant work experience.
You met the requirements for that occupation if the occupation is on the Long Term Skill Shortage List.
You held registration for the job — if the job needs registration in New Zealand.

List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

Long Term Skill Shortage List

Occupational registration