Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced a significant expansion of its Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework, adding 47 new skilled occupations to the National Occupation List (NOL) starting March 9, 2026. This policy shift is designed to streamline the recruitment of international talent for high-demand roles across the construction, healthcare, engineering, and hospitality sectors.
The update reclassifies several specialized roles into “Skill Level 1 to 3” categories, which offer more favorable visa conditions than lower-skilled classifications. Notably, the hospitality sector will see a clearer breakdown of culinary roles; instead of a generic “Cook” category, INZ will now recognize specific positions such as Head Chef, Sous Chef, and Chef de Partie. Other critical additions include Aged Care Coordinators, Biomedical Technicians, Energy Assessors, and Solar Installers.
For migrant workers, being listed in Skill Levels 1-3 provides significant advantages, including a maximum continuous stay of up to five years and the right to support partners for open work visas. Conversely, three roles, Pet Groomer, Nanny, and Kennel Hand, are being downgraded from Skill Level 3 to Level 4. This change means future applicants in these roles will face stricter English language requirements, shorter visa durations, and more rigorous “labor market tests” to prove no New Zealander is available for the job.
The expansion arrives alongside an annual update to the immigration median wage, which will rise to NZ $35.00 per hour on the same date. While the general median wage requirement for the AEWV was decoupled in 2025, it remains a critical benchmark for the Green List, skilled residence pathways, and income thresholds for supporting family members.
Complete List of the 47 Additional Occupations
The newly recognised occupations include:
- Head Chef
- Sous Chef
- Pastry Chef
- Chef de Partie
- Commis Chef
- Restaurant Manager
- Café Manager
- Hotel Service Manager
- Accommodation Manager
- Event Manager
- Conference Organiser
- Construction Project Manager
- Civil Engineering Technician
- Mechanical Engineering Technician
- Electrical Engineering Technician
- ICT Support Engineer
- Software Tester
- Web Developer
- Multimedia Specialist
- Network Administrator
- Database Administrator
- Systems Analyst
- Marketing Specialist
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Sales Representative
- Procurement Manager
- Supply and Distribution Manager
- Logistics Coordinator
- Health Services Manager
- Aged Care Manager
- Registered Nurse
- Enrolled Nurse
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Early Childhood Teacher
- Secondary School Teacher
- Primary School Teacher
- Automotive Electrician
- Diesel Motor Mechanic
- Heavy Vehicle Mechanic
- Plumber
- Carpenter
- Electrician
- Fitter and Turner
- CNC Machinist
- Agricultural Technician
- Horticulture Supervisor
These roles are now officially recognised at skill levels 1 to 3 under the NOL for AEWV purposes.
These changes represent a strategic window of opportunity. Employers can begin submitting “Job Checks” for the 47 new roles on March 9, potentially allowing current AEWV holders in related lower-level roles to apply for new visas and extend their stay in New Zealand.
