Major changes are coming to the New Zealand immigration landscape. Effective March 9, 2026, Immigration New Zealand is expanding the National Occupation List (NOL) and updating the immigration median wage.
These updates will directly impact how Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV) are processed and how much migrants must earn to support their families or qualify for residency.
1. The National Occupation List (NOL) Expansion
The NOL is officially replacing the old ANZSCO system to better reflect the modern New Zealand job market.
47 New Roles Added (Level 1–3)
From March 9, 47 additional occupations across skill levels 1, 2, and 3 will be recognised under the NOL. A notable highlight includes Chef roles, which have been reclassified into clearer categories based on seniority and specific skill sets.
| NOL code | NOL occupation |
|---|---|
| 132314 | Chief Remote Officer |
| 132418 | Chief Sustainability Officer |
| 141113 | Head Chef/Executive Chef |
| 223312 | Organic Conservation Specialist |
| 232114 | Building Information Modeller |
| 232416 | Accessible Format Specialist |
| 253115 | Physician Associate |
| 261214 | Virtual Reality (VR) Specialist |
| 261215 | Augmented Reality (AR) Specialist |
| 261331 | Enterprise Architect |
| 511113 | Joinery Manager |
| 511114 | Joinery Project Manager |
| 512112 | Chief of Staff |
| 512113 | Executive Assistant (CEO/Board Level) |
| NOL code | NOL occupation |
|---|---|
| 311115 | Wine Laboratory Technician |
| 312914 | CAD draftsperson |
| 312915 | Biomedical Technician |
| 312916 | Environmental Engineering Technician |
| 312923 | Reinforcing/Structural Steel Detailer |
| 313114 | Digital Imaging Technician |
| 311423 | Environmental Technician |
| 312117 | Energy Assessor |
| 351314 | Chef de Partie |
| 351315 | Sous Chef |
| 362215 | Urban Forester |
| 362412 | Nursery Production Leading Hand |
| 399521 | Videographer |
| 411115 | Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) |
| 411717 | Aged Care Coordinator |
| 451312 | Embalmer |
| 452221 | Skydiving Instructor (Solo) |
| 452222 | Tandem Skydiving Master/Instructor |
| 512114 | Administrative Professional |
| 512212 | Accounting Practice Manager |
| 512213 | Legal Practice Manager |
| NOL code | NOL occupation |
|---|---|
| 272126 | Consumer Advisor |
| 323115 | Launch Technician - Mechanical |
| 351311 | Other Chef |
| 351313 | Demi Chef de Partie |
| 423127 | Peer Support Worker |
| 452416 | Ski Patroller |
| 711316 | Timber Machinist |
| 712925 | Senior Timber Treatment Plant Operator |
| 721115 | Advanced Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator |
| 831123 | Ice Cream (Process Control) Machine Operator |
| 831215 | Meat Boner/Meat Cutter |
| 899924 | Site Traffic Management Supervisor (STMS) |
Reclassification of Level 3 Roles
Three specific occupations are moving from Skill Level 3 to Skill Level 4:
-
Pet Groomers
-
Nannies
-
Kennel Hands
What this means: New applications for these roles must now meet Level 4 requirements, including English language proficiency and Mandatory Social Development (MSD) engagement. If you already hold a visa for these roles, your current conditions remain unchanged until you apply for a new visa.
2. The 2026 Immigration Median Wage Update
On March 9, 2026, the immigration median wage will rise to NZD $35.00 per hour. While the general median wage requirement for the AEWV was removed in 2025, this new figure still acts as a "threshold" for several key benefits, including the ability to support family for visas, or certain residency eligibility criteria.
Where the $35.00 Rate Applies:
-
Green List Requirements: Many roles require a specific pay rate for residency.
-
Advertising Exemptions: Roles paid at least twice the median wage ($70.00/hr) may bypass certain advertising hurdles.
-
Maximum Stay Rules: To secure a 5-year stay in certain lower-skilled roles, you must earn at least 1.5x the median wage ($52.50/hr).
3. Supporting Your Family: New Income Thresholds
If you are planning to support a partner or dependent children, your hourly rate must meet the new 2026 standards:
| Support Category | Old Rate (per hr) | New Rate (per hr) |
| Skill Level 1-3 Partner Support | $26.85 | $28.00 |
| Green List Partner Support | $33.56 | $35 |
| Skill Level 4-5 Partner Support | $50.34 | $52.50 |
Important for Teachers: If you are on a Skilled Residence pathway, pay scales are shifting. Teachers must now reach Step 5 of the pay scale to remain eligible (up from Step 4).
4. What this means for Employers
Before hiring a migrant worker for the new NOL skill level 1 to 3 occupations, employers must:
-
Advertise the role for at least 14 days.
-
Demonstrate genuine efforts to hire a New Zealander first.
-
Check Skill Levels: If a worker is currently in a Level 4 or 5 role but is qualified for one of the new Level 1-3 roles, they may be able to apply for a new AEWV to extend their stay.
Are You Ready for March 9?
These changes can be complex, especially when calculating your "Maximum Continuous Stay" or family support eligibility.
Make sure you check with a licensed adviser before making important decisions.
