Factors

Points

Criteria

Age (20 to 55 years)

20-39

30

SM5

40-44

20

45-49

10

50-55

5

Skilled employment

Current skilled employment in New Zealand or an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand

50

SM6

Bonus points for skilled employment

Current skilled employment in New Zealand or an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand in an area of absolute skills shortage

10

SM6.40

Current skilled employment or an offer of skilled employment outside the Auckland region

30

SM6.50

Current skilled employment or an offer of skilled employment with remuneration of least $54.00 per hour, or the equivalent annual salary

20

SM6.60

Skilled work experience

2 years

10

SM7

4 years

20

6 years

30

8 years

40

10 years

50

Additional bonus points if skilled work experience is in New Zealand

1 year or more

10

SM7.25

Additional bonus points for skilled work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage

2 to 5 years

10

SM7.30

6 years or more

15

Qualifications

Recognised level 3 qualification if included on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA)

40

SM8

Recognised level 4-6 qualification (e.g. trade qualification, diploma)

40

Recognised level 7 or 8 qualification (e.g. bachelor’s degree, bachelor’s degree with Honours)

50

Recognised level 9 or 10 post-graduate qualification (Master’s degree, Doctorate)

70

Bonus points for qualifications gained in New Zealand

2 years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised bachelor degree (level 7) New Zealand qualification; or

10

SM8.25

1 year of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification; or

10

2 years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate New Zealand qualification

15

Bonus points for partner’s skilled employment

Partner’s current skilled employment in New Zealand or offer of skilled employment in New Zealand.

20

SM9.5

Bonus points for partner’s qualification (either)

Recognised qualification at level 7 or 8; or

10

SM9.10

Recognised qualification at level 9 or above

20