If you’ve been waiting for the moment when a country clearly signals, “Yes, we are opening more doors for skilled workers,” New Zealand just delivered it. In one of the most applicant-friendly updates of 2025, Immigration New Zealand has expanded the range of skilled roles recognized under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) by adding 87 new National Occupation List (NOL) occupations at skill levels 1 to 3, officially effective from 3 November 2025.
For international professionals, technicians, and supervisors who previously struggled to fit into the right skill classification, this update is more than a list change. It’s a real expansion of eligible pathways — and for many people, it can directly improve how long they can stay, what kind of job checks employers can pass, and whether family planning becomes more realistic under New Zealand’s work visa framework.
What This New Zealand AEWV Update Means in Simple Terms?
New Zealand is transitioning its immigration occupation framework from ANZSCO to a newer structure called the National Occupation List (NOL). In 2025, the government didn’t just “announce” the new list — it rolled out immigration settings in stages so more occupations can be used in real visa processing.
The major “good news” moment came in November:
- From 3 November 2025, New Zealand began accepting 87 new NOL occupations as skill level 1 to 3 roles for AEWV purposes.
- These are now recognized in job checks and AEWV applications, meaning employers and candidates can use them as valid occupation matches in the AEWV process.
This matters because under the AEWV system, the skill level classification is not a small technical detail. It can shape key outcomes for applicants, including how your job is treated in the system, and whether you can move into a stronger visa position.
How Many Times Did New Zealand Updated Occupation Requirement List in 2025?
In 2025, New Zealand’s occupation and AEWV settings evolved in multiple stages rather than a single one-time update. What applicants should understand is that the government carried out a structured rollout:
- March 2025: New occupation-related settings were introduced as part of the transition to NOL, including recognition logic intended to reduce mismatches.
- July 2025: The NOL was updated as part of its annual maintenance cycle.
- November 2025: The big practical update became visible for applicants — 87 new skill level 1–3 occupations were officially recognised for AEWV use from 3 November 2025.
For global candidates, the message is clear: New Zealand is not standing still. It is actively adjusting its skilled work framework to reflect real labour market needs — and this November expansion is one of the strongest signals yet.
The Best Part: This Isn’t Only for “High-Flying Tech” Roles!
Many countries only expand “skilled” pathways for a narrow group of elite professions. New Zealand’s November 2025 expansion is different. It covers a wide spread of real-world roles that power the economy — from renewable energy technicians and EV mechanics to farm supervisors, joinery specialists, processing production supervisors, irrigation specialists, tourism operators, and more.
That means the AEWV opportunity is widening beyond a small bubble and reaching occupations where demand is often high but recognition pathways were previously messy or limited.
Full List of 87 Newly Recognized AEWV Occupations
(From 3 November 2025 Onwards for 2026)
Below is the complete set of occupations newly recognized for AEWV use, grouped by NOL skill level.
NOL Skill Level 1
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- Indoor Crop Production Leading Hand
- Fruit Production Leading Hand
- Horticulture Post-Harvest Leading Hand
- Outdoor Crop Leading Hand
NOL Skill Level 2
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Foley Artist
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| NOL Skill Level 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Installer | Dementia Navigator | CNC Operator – Solid Timber Joinery | Joinery Installer |
| Wind Turbine Technician | Concierge | Irrigation Technician | Fibre Composite Technician |
| Production Supervisor, Meat Processing | Joinery Machinist | Health Coach | Power Wash Technician |
| Electric Vehicle Mechanic or Technician | Mixed Crop Farm Supervisor | Senior Fleet Tyre Technician | Rope Access Technician |
| Non Destructive Testing Technician | Adventure Tourism Operator | Joinery Finisher | Calibration Technician |
| Horticulture Post-Harvest Supervisor | Lifting Equipment Technician | Winery Senior Cellar Hand | Agrichemical Spraying Operator |
| Outdoor Crop Production Supervisor | Silviculture Operator | Tennis Coach – Performance | Geothermal Technician |
| Production Supervisor, Poultry Processing | Cabinetry CAD Drawer | Senior Gaming Worker | Water proofer |
| Load Lifting Rigger (Rope Fabrication) | Ground spread Nutrient Applicator | Mixed Livestock Farm Supervisor | Joinery Site Joiner |
| Production Supervisor, Food and Drink Processing | Snowsport Equipment Technician | Concreter (Commercial) | Heavy Equipment Technician |
| Dementia Homeshare Coordinator | Cabinetry Installer | Drug and Alcohol Tester | Athletic |
| Nursery Production Supervisor | Electronic Security System and Alarm Technician | Oversize Load Pilot Escort | Vehicle Integration Technician |
| Field Crop Farm Supervisor | Irrigation Performance Assessor | Personal Trainer | Poultry Farm Supervisor |
| Production Supervisor, Seafood Processing | Performing Arts, Entertainment and Events Technician | Hazardous Materials Removalist | Joinery Practitioner – Generalist |
| Production Supervisor, Plastics and Rubber Production | Senior Tyre Technician | Other Livestock Farm Supervisor | Joinery Technician |
| Forestry Supervisor | Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Supervisor | CNC Programmer – Solid Timber Joinery | Bicycle Technician |
| Production Supervisor, Paper/Pulp/Wood Processing | Animal Trainer | Crematorium Technician | Irrigation Manager |
| Production Supervisor, Textile and Footwear Production | Cabinetry Installer | Horizontal Direction Drilling Worker | Fruit Production Supervisor |
| Beef Cattle Farm Supervisor | Athlete | Support Worker (Mental Health and Addiction) | Joinery Detailer |
| Sheep Farm Supervisor | Milliner | Aquaculture Farm Supervisor | Production Supervisor, Clay/Concrete/Glass/Stone Processing |
Were Any Occupations Removed from AEWV Visa Occupation List?
This specific November 2025 update was presented as an expansion and recognition update — it focused on adding and recognizing additional occupations for AEWV use. It was not positioned as a “removal round,” and no occupation removals were clearly listed as part of this particular November expansion announcement.
However, applicants should understand an important detail: if your occupation is not on the AEWV-usable NOL list, then the system may still require classification through ANZSCO or other settings. In practical terms, that can feel like exclusion, even if it is not technically “removal.” That is why confirming your occupation match early is critical.
Why This Matters for Potential Applicants Worldwide? – Our Take!
This update changes more than a list — it changes practical outcomes.
1) More occupations now count as higher-skilled for AEWV processing
Skill level 1 to 3 recognition helps many roles be treated as more strongly skilled for AEWV job check and visa decisions. That strengthens the pathway for people who were previously stuck in unclear or lower-skilled classification outcomes.
2) Some workers can upgrade their position if they meet the requirement
New Zealand has indicated that this update may allow some people who were previously treated as skill level 4–5 to shift into the newly recognized level 1–3 roles, but this depends on meeting a key threshold: a recognized qualification or at least two years of directly relevant experience.
3) Employers now have more options to pass job checks for real-world roles
Because these occupations are now formally recognized, accredited employers can better align job checks with actual industry roles in trades, energy, agriculture, processing, and services — the parts of the economy where hiring demand can be very real.
4) This is a strong signal that New Zealand is responding to labour market demand
When a country expands recognized skilled occupations, it is essentially admitting a simple truth: there are gaps to fill. For applicants, that is exactly the kind of signal that should trigger preparation and timely action.
How International Applicants Can Use This Update Strategically?
If you want to turn this news into a real opportunity, here is the smart approach:
Step 1: Match your job title correctly
Do not rely only on your job title. Match your duties and responsibilities to one of the newly recognized NOL occupations. Accurate occupation matching is one of the most important success factors under AEWV.
Step 2: Strengthen your proof of experience and qualification
If you are aiming to benefit from the skill level 1–3 recognition, prepare solid documentation:
- Relevant qualification evidence (if applicable)
- Experience letters that clearly show duties and duration
- Work references and employment contracts that match your claimed occupation
Step 3: Work with an accredited employer who understands job checks
The AEWV process depends heavily on the employer’s ability to complete job checks properly. Your best advantage is working with an employer who knows how to align your role, wage, and responsibilities correctly in the system.
Step 4: Prepare early, because occupation expansions attract demand
Whenever a country expands its recognized occupation list, the market responds. More people apply, more employers recruit, and competition increases. The earlier you position yourself, the stronger your chances.