Pay rates for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Median wage rates between 2018 and 2024 for Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa expression of interests (EOI) submitted after 9 October 2023.
Wage thresholds are pay rate requirements
A 'wage threshold' is the minimum pay rate that you need for a visa. There are different wage thresholds for different visas.
For the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, you will need to meet the wage thresholds:
- in your current job or job offer at the time you submit your expression of interest (EOI) and application
- to claim skilled resident points for income or skilled work experience, if required.
Skilled resident points are the points you need before you can apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.
Check the visa for full requirements on claiming points.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Note
The pay rates in the following tables are hourly and in New Zealand dollars. These are based on the
Pay rates for skilled work in New Zealand
Our pay rate requirements for skilled work are based on:
- the
(ANZSCO) list, and - a minimum pay rate based on the hourly median wage.
Your current job or job offer must pay at least the pay rate required at the time you submit your EOI and application.
| Date range | ANZSCO skill levels 1 to 3 (the median wage) | ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5 (150% of the median wage) | Jobs not listed in ANZSCO (150% of the median wage) |
|---|---|---|---|
| From 28 February 2024 | $31.61 | $47.41 | $47.41 |
| 27 February 2023 to 27 February 2024 | $29.66 | $44.49 | $44.49 |
| 24 October 2022 to 26 February 2023 | $27.76 | $41.64 | $41.64 |
| 19 July 2021 to 23 October 2022 | $27.00 | $40.50 | $40.50 |
| 24 February 2020 to 18 July 2021 | $25.50 | $38.25 | $38.25 |
| 26 November 2018 to 23 February 2020 | $25.00 | $37.50 | $37.50 |
| 15 January 2018 to 25 November 2018 | $24.29 | $36.44 | $36.44 |
Pay rates to claim points for income
You must earn at least the current pay rate required for the points you want to claim for income. For example, if you want to claim 4 points for income, you must be earning at least NZD $63.22.
If you are also claiming points for skilled work experience in New Zealand, you must meet the pay rate required for the income points you are claiming, throughout your work experience period.
| Date range | 3 points (at least 1.5 times the median wage) | 4 points (2 times the median wage) | 6 points (3 times the median wage) |
|---|---|---|---|
| From 28 February 2024 | $47.41 | $63.22 | $94.83 |
| 27 February 2023 to 27 February 2024 | $44.49 | $59.32 | $88.98 |
| 24 October 2022 to 26 February 2023 | $41.64 | $55.52 | $83.28 |
| 19 July 2021 to 23 October 2022 | $40.50 | $54.00 | $81.00 |
| 24 February 2020 to 18 July 2021 | $38.25 | $51.00 | $76.50 |
| 26 November 2018 to 23 February 2020 | $37.50 | $50.00 | $75.00 |
| 15 January 2018 to 25 November 2018 | $36.44 | $48.58 | $72.87 |
Pay rates to claim skilled work experience
To claim points for skilled work experience, you must meet the hourly pay rate requirement in effect at the start of the work experience period you are claiming points for.
- Use Table 1 if you are claiming points for work experience but not income.
- Use Table 2 if you are claiming points for income as well as work experience.
If the median wage increases during this period your income does not need to increase, as long as you stay in the same job.
If you change jobs, you must meet the new wage threshold applicable at that time.