New Higher-Skilled Roles Added to the National Occupation List (NOL)

New higher-skilled roles have been added to the National Occupation List (NOL). In November 2024, NOL replaced the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZCO) under the AEWV programme.

It's worth noting that while INZ continues to use ANZSCO to set visa rules for AEWV applicants, NOL will eventually become the framework under which all occupations are assessed.

New Changes Announced

• AEWV applicants in 90 new higher-skilled roles (levels 1 to 3) can apply based on their NOL skill level. This change is scheduled to go live on 3 November 2025.

• The NOL includes new occupations at skill levels 1 to 3, which may allow some workers currently in Level 4 or 5 roles to apply for a further AEWV to extend their maximum continuous stay.

• As the new NOL updates are rolled out, approximately 30 of the newly added roles will have a temporary Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) pathway in place from 8 September until 2 November for current work visa holders whose Maximum Continuous Stay will end on or before 30 November 2025.
  
  However, only a small group of visa holders will be eligible for this pathway. The temporary pathway is not a general extension or alternative to the AEWV programme. For applicants to meet the criteria, they:

  • are being appointed to one of the 30 new NOL roles and hold at least three years directly relevant experience to the new role (or a recognised qualification).

  • hold a current AEWV and reach their maximum continuous stay on or before 30 November 2025.

Accredited employers are not required to advertise the role for SPWV applicants. Roles eligible for the interim pathway are listed below:

NOL Skill Level 1 Occupations

Horticulture Post-Harvest Leading Hand – 832117
Indoor Crop Production Leading Hand – 841228
Outdoor Crop Leading Hand – 841231

NOL Skill Level 3 Occupations

Concierge – 431413
CNC Operator – Solid Timber Joinery – 712312
Concreter (Commercial) – 331113
Electronic Security System and Alarm Technician – 399922
Fibre Composite Technician – 399921
Forestry Supervisor – 841314
Hazardous Materials Removalist – 711915
Horticulture Post-Harvest Supervisor – 832116
Indoor Crop Production Supervisor – 841223
Irrigation Manager – 841918
Other Livestock Farm Supervisor – 841531
Outdoor Crop Production Supervisor – 841221
Poultry Farm Supervisor – 841532
Power Wash Technician – 811212
Production Supervisor, Clay, Concrete, Glass and Stone Processing – 711115
Production Supervisor, Food and Drink Processing – 831122
Production Supervisor – Meat Processing – 831314
Production Supervisor, Paper, Pulp and Wood Processing – 711315
Production Supervisor, Plastics and Rubber Production – 711517
Production Supervisor, Seafood Processing – 831316
Solar Installer – 821413
Senior Piggery Stockperson– 841533
Senior Fleet Tyre Technician – 323221
Senior Tyre Technician – 899416
Sheep Farm Supervisor – 841527
Silviculture Operator – 841317
Waterproofer – 333312

(Source: INZ Official Announcement)