Shortage Skills in New Zealand
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New Zealand’s biggest skill shortages in 2026–27 sit in healthcare, engineering, construction, ICT, teaching, social services, licensed trades and primary industries. These occupations appear on Immigration New Zealand’s Green List in one of two tiers. Tier 1 roles lead to a Straight to Residence Visa as soon as you have a qualifying job offer. Tier 2 roles lead to a Work to Residence Visa after 24 months of full-time work in New Zealand. Both tiers require a job with an accredited employer, and both require you to be paid at or above a set rate — currently NZD $35.00 an hour unless a higher rate is specified for your occupation. (Immigration New Zealand — Straight to Residence Visa)
What is the New Zealand Green List?
The Green List is Immigration New Zealand’s official register of occupations experiencing genuine, ongoing skill shortages. It sits in the Operational Manual as Appendix 13, and the version currently in force took effect on 9 March 2026 (INZ Operational Manual, Appendix 13 — Green List).
It is split into two tiers, and the difference between them is the single most important thing for a student to understand.
| Tier 1 — Straight to Residence | Tier 2 — Work to Residence | |
|---|---|---|
| When you can apply | As soon as you hold or are offered a qualifying Tier 1 job | After 24 months of full-time work in the role in New Zealand, completed within the 30 months before you apply (INZ, 18 June 2026) |
| Employer | Must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand | Must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand |
| Job type | Permanent, or fixed-term of at least 12 months, or contracts totalling at least 6 months (INZ) | Full-time work in the Tier 2 role; overseas experience does not count |
| Pay | The rate specified for your occupation, or NZD $35.00 an hour if none is specified (INZ) | The rate specified for your occupation, or NZD $35.00 an hour if none is specified |
| Age | 55 or younger when you apply (INZ) | 55 or younger when you apply |
| Application fee | From NZD $6,450 (INZ) | From NZD $6,450 |
| Family | Partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger can be included (INZ) | Partner and dependent children can be included |
A word of honesty: the Green List is a residence mechanism, not a job-finding mechanism. It does not guarantee you a job, and no Green List pathway exists without an employer. What it does guarantee is that if you get the job, the paperwork ahead of you is far shorter than for almost anyone else.
Six key facts every student should plan around
1. The immigration median wage rose to NZD $35.00 an hour on 9 March 2026. This single number sets the pay floor for most Green List roles, the partner-support threshold, and several other visa settings. It rose from NZD $33.56 (INZ, 18 February 2026).
2. You can now work 25 hours a week while studying. From 3 November 2025, eligible student visa holders can work up to 25 hours per week during term, up from 20, with full-time work still permitted during scheduled breaks (INZ).
3. The Post Study Work Visa runs for up to three years. Degree-level (Level 7) and above students must study full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks; master’s and doctoral students remain eligible for the full three years. Some non-degree qualifications at Level 7 and below also qualify, but only those named on Immigration New Zealand’s eligible-qualifications list, which sits at the end of Appendix 13 (INZ Appendix 13).
4. Two new graduate work options open on 16 November 2026. Immigration New Zealand is introducing a Short Term Graduate Work Visa giving six months of open work rights to graduates who do not qualify for a Post Study Work Visa, and extending Post Study Work Visa eligibility to Level 7 Graduate Diplomas where the graduate also holds a bachelor’s degree from New Zealand or overseas (INZ, 12 March 2026).
5. The Skilled Migrant Category changed on 24 August 2026 — in students’ favour. Two new residence pathways opened: a Skilled Work Experience pathway and a Trades and Technician pathway. New Zealand work experience requirements were reduced for most migrants from a maximum of three years to two, and points for New Zealand university-level qualifications increased (INZ, 23 September 2025). Applicants also no longer need to meet a higher wage rate at the time they apply for residence, provided they maintain the rate that applied when they began accruing experience (INZ, 18 June 2026).
6. You must show NZD $20,000 per year in living costs for your student visa. This is separate from tuition and travel, and part-time earnings cannot be used to meet it. Confirm the current figure on Immigration New Zealand’s website before you apply, as maintenance thresholds are reviewed periodically.
The 10 fields where New Zealand is short of people
1. Nursing and Midwifery — Tier 1
Nursing is the clearest Tier 1 opportunity on the entire list. Registered Nurses across aged care, mental health, critical care and emergency, perioperative, paediatrics, community health, medical and surgical specialties all sit in Tier 1, alongside Nurse Practitioners, Enrolled Nurses and Midwives (Appendix 13).
What you’ll need: a Bachelor of Nursing (or Bachelor of Midwifery / Bachelor of Health Science in Midwifery) and registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand or the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. Registration is not automatic and is not part of your visa application — start it early.
Pay context: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora publishes a registered nurse base salary range of NZD $75,000 to $106,000, rising to $114,000–$162,000 for designated senior nurses (Health New Zealand).
2. Allied Health, Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Science — Tier 1
This is the most under-discussed cluster on the Green List, and one of the most accessible. Tier 1 includes Sonographers, Medical Imaging Technologists, MRI Technologists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Medical Radiation Therapists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Anaesthetic Technicians, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Dietitians, Optometrists, Pharmacists, Podiatrists, Speech Language Therapists, Paramedics and Sterilisation Technicians (Appendix 13).
What you’ll need: a named New Zealand bachelor’s degree or an assessed overseas equivalent, plus registration with the relevant board — the New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board for imaging roles, the Medical Sciences Council for laboratory roles, the Physiotherapy Board, and so on.
3. Mental Health, Addiction and Social Work — Tier 1
New Zealand has built out its mental health and community workforce and the Green List reflects it. Tier 1 includes Social Workers, Clinical Psychologists, Educational Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Addiction Practitioners, Drug and Alcohol Counsellors, and Family, Rehabilitation, Careers and Student Counsellors (Appendix 13).
What you’ll need: registration with the Social Workers Registration Board, the Psychologists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand, Dapaanz, or membership of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors, depending on the role. Counselling degrees generally need to come from an NZAC-accredited provider.
4. Civil, Structural and Geotechnical Engineering — Tier 1
New Zealand’s infrastructure and seismic-resilience programmes keep this cluster permanently short. Tier 1 covers Civil, Structural, Geotechnical, Environmental, Chemical, Materials and Industrial Engineers, plus Civil Engineering Technicians (Appendix 13).
What you’ll need: a Washington Accord accredited engineering degree, a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (Level 8), a Level 7+ qualification backed by a letter from Engineering New Zealand, or New Zealand registration as a Chartered Professional Engineer. Civil Engineering Technician also accepts a Level 6 diploma of at least 240 credits.
Pay context: SEEK New Zealand puts the average civil engineer salary at NZD $95,000 to $110,000 (SEEK NZ).
5. Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering — Tier 1
Tier 1 also covers Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, Production or Plant, Aeronautical and Naval Architecture engineers, the corresponding Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering Technicians, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, and Telecommunications Engineers and Telecommunications Network Engineers (Appendix 13).
Student note: the engineering technician routes matter. A New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with the right strand can open Civil, Electrical, Electronic or Mechanical Engineering Technician roles, and those diplomas appear on the Post Study Work Visa qualification list.
6. Construction Management, Quantity Surveying and Surveying — Tier 1
Tier 1 includes Construction Project Manager, Project Builder (including Building Project Manager and Site Foreman), Quantity Surveyor and Surveyor (Appendix 13).
What you’ll need: for Quantity Surveyor, a Level 7 bachelor’s degree with a New Zealand major in quantity surveying or construction economics, or NZIQS student, affiliate or full membership. For Construction Project Manager, a wide range of construction, civil or highway engineering qualifications from Level 6 diploma upward is accepted.
Pay context: SEEK New Zealand puts the average quantity surveyor salary at NZD $105,000 to $125,000 (SEEK NZ).
7. Software Engineering, Cybersecurity and Data Infrastructure — Tier 1, but read the pay bar
Here is the correction that matters most, because it is widely reported incorrectly. ICT roles are Tier 1, not Tier 2. Software Engineer, Analyst Programmer, Developer Programmer, Software Tester, ICT Security Specialist, ICT Project Manager, Chief Information Officer, Database Administrator, Systems Administrator and Multimedia Specialist all sit in Tier 1 (Appendix 13).
But they carry occupation-specific pay thresholds far above the median wage:
- Software Engineer, ICT Security Specialist, Analyst and Developer Programmer, Software Tester, ICT Project Manager, CIO: NZD $72.80 an hour (about NZD $151,424 a year at 40 hours)
- Database Administrator and Systems Administrator: NZD $70.00 an hour (NZD $145,600 a year, as stated by INZ)
- Multimedia Specialist: NZD $57.75 an hour (about NZD $120,120 a year)
For context, SEEK New Zealand puts the average software engineer salary at NZD $100,000 to $120,000 (SEEK NZ). A graduate will not start at the Tier 1 threshold. The realistic sequence for tech students is: Post Study Work Visa → Accredited Employer Work Visa → Skilled Migrant Category residence, with the Green List becoming reachable later, once you are senior.
That is not bad news. It is simply the honest map, and knowing it now is worth more than optimism later.
8. Teaching: Schools and Early Childhood — Tier 1 and Tier 2
Tier 1: Secondary School Teacher, Primary School Teacher, Middle/Intermediate School Teacher, and Māori-medium teaching roles. Tier 2: Early Childhood (Pre-primary) Teacher – registered, Special Needs Teacher, Teachers of the Hearing and Sight Impaired, Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages, and School Principal (Appendix 13).
What you’ll need: registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and a provisional or full practising certificate.
Pay context: the Ministry of Education reported an average starting salary of NZD $71,400 for primary teachers and NZD $78,300 for secondary teachers in 2024 (Education Workforce, Ministry of Education).
9. Licensed Trades and Engineering Trades — Tier 2
If you prefer hands-on work, this is a strong and genuinely government-backed route. Tier 2 covers Electricians, Plumbers, Gasfitters, Drainlayers, Motor Mechanics, Diesel Motor Mechanics, Motorcycle Mechanics and Automotive Electricians, plus the ten engineering trades added on 18 August 2025: Metal Fabricator, Metal Machinist (First Class), Fitter (General), Fitter and Turner, Fitter-Welder, Pressure Welder, Welder, Panel Beater, Vehicle Painter and Paving Plant Operator (Appendix 13).
Also in Tier 2: Building Associate (site supervisor), Crane Operator, Earthmoving Plant Operators, Telecommunications Technician and Corrections Officer.
What you’ll need: for electrical work, registration with the Electrical Workers Registration Board; for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying, registration with the New Zealand Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board; for automotive trades, a Level 4 New Zealand certificate or equivalent. Several of these roles carry pay multiples above the median wage — see the reference table below.
Pay context: SEEK New Zealand puts the average electrician salary at NZD $80,000 to $90,000 (SEEK NZ).
10. Primary Industries, Food Technology and Environmental Science — Tier 1 and Tier 2
New Zealand’s export economy runs on this sector. Tier 1 includes Veterinarian, Environmental Research Scientist, Food Technologist and Other Spatial Scientist. Tier 2 includes Dairy Cattle Farmer (Dairy Cattle Farm Manager) (Appendix 13).
A precision point: the qualification bars here are specific. Environmental Research Scientist requires a Level 8 or higher qualification in environmental studies, management or engineering. Food Technologist requires a Level 7+ qualification in nutrition, food science, food technology or food engineering. Dairy Cattle Farmer requires three years of commercial farm experience. There is no general “Agricultural Scientist” entry on the list.
2026–27 Pay Threshold and Market Salary Reference
Two numbers matter for every Green List role, and students routinely confuse them. The visa threshold is the minimum you must legally be paid for the pathway to work. The market range is what employers typically advertise. You need both to align.
| Occupation group | Tier | Visa pay threshold (from 9 Mar 2026) | Indicative market pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses, Midwives, Nurse Practitioners | 1 | NZD $35.00/hr (median wage) | NZD $75,000–$106,000 base (Health NZ) |
| Doctors, dentists, medical specialists | 1 | NZD $35.00/hr | Varies widely by specialty |
| Sonographers, imaging and laboratory professionals | 1 | NZD $35.00/hr | Varies by discipline |
| Social workers, psychologists, counsellors | 1 | NZD $35.00/hr | Varies by setting |
| Civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, chemical engineers | 1 | NZD $35.00/hr | NZD $95,000–$110,000 for civil (SEEK NZ) |
| Construction Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor, Surveyor | 1 | NZD $35.00/hr | NZD $105,000–$125,000 for QS (SEEK NZ) |
| School teachers (primary, intermediate, secondary) | 1 | NZD $35.00/hr, and Step 5 of the pay scale | NZD $71,400–$78,300 average starting (Ministry of Education) |
| Software Engineer, ICT Security Specialist, ICT Project Manager | 1 | NZD $72.80/hr (≈ NZD $151,424/yr) | NZD $100,000–$120,000 (SEEK NZ) |
| Database Administrator, Systems Administrator | 1 | NZD $70.00/hr (NZD $145,600/yr) | Below threshold at graduate level |
| Multimedia Specialist | 1 | NZD $57.75/hr (≈ NZD $120,120/yr) | Below threshold at graduate level |
| External and Internal Auditor | 1 | NZD $45.50/hr (NZD $94,640/yr) | Within reach mid-career |
| Veterinarian, Environmental Research Scientist, Food Technologist | 1 | NZD $35.00/hr | Varies |
| Early Childhood, Special Needs and ESOL Teachers; School Principal | 2 | NZD $35.00/hr + 24 months NZ work | Varies by service |
| Electrician, Plumber, Gasfitter, Drainlayer | 2 | NZD $35.00/hr + registration + 24 months | NZD $80,000–$90,000 for electricians (SEEK NZ) |
| Welder, Pressure Welder, Metal Fabricator, Fitter, Metal Machinist | 2 | 1.3× median = NZD $45.50/hr across the 24 months | Varies by employer |
| Panel Beater, Vehicle Painter, Paving Plant Operator | 2 | 1.15× median = NZD $40.25/hr | Varies by employer |
| Building Associate (site supervisor) | 2 | 1.5× median = NZD $52.50/hr | Varies by employer |
| Earthmoving Plant Operators, Telecommunications Technician | 2 | 1.15× median = NZD $40.25/hr | Varies by employer |
| Dairy Cattle Farm Manager | 2 | 3 years' commercial farm experience | Often includes accommodation |
Visa thresholds are from INZ Appendix 13 and the median wage update of 18 February 2026. Annual equivalents assume a 40-hour week. Market ranges are indicative and change with the labour market — always check current advertised roles.
Four mistakes that cost students years
Leaving professional registration until after graduation. Nursing, midwifery, teaching, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering and every licensed trade require registration with a New Zealand professional body before the Green List pathway opens. These processes take months and often need documents from your home country. Begin the paperwork in your final year, not after it.
Assuming a Tier 1 listing means a graduate can use it. ICT and teaching both prove otherwise — one through a very high pay threshold, the other because Immigration New Zealand has explicitly said the pathway is aimed at experienced teachers.
Choosing a course by name rather than by its qualification code. Two programmes with almost identical titles can have completely different Post Study Work Visa outcomes. What matters is the NZQCF level, the credit count, the strand, and whether it appears on the eligible-qualifications list in Appendix 13.
Treating the list as permanent. Appendix 13 has been amended more than twenty times since 2022. Ten trades were added in August 2025; pay thresholds moved in March 2026. Verify your occupation before you enrol, and again before you apply.
The Eleevate Advantage: Studying With the Endpoint in Mind
Picking a university is the easy part. Picking a qualification that maps to a named occupation, at the right NZQCF level, with a registration pathway you can realistically complete, is the part that decides whether your degree becomes a career or a return ticket.
At Eleevate Overseas, our counselors work backwards from the outcome. We cross-reference your academic background and budget against the current Appendix 13 requirements, flag the registration steps and their real timelines, and build a study plan where the qualification, the visa and the occupation line up rather than fight each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the shortage skills in New Zealand for 2026?
New Zealand's Green List covers selected occupations in areas such as healthcare, engineering, construction, ICT, education, social services, trades and other high-demand fields. The Green List is published by Immigration New Zealand and is divided into Tier 1 and Tier 2 occupations. Check New Zealand's Green List occupations
2. What is the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 on the Green List?
Tier 1 occupations can qualify for the Straight to Residence Visa, provided you meet the occupation-specific requirements and have a qualifying job or job offer from an accredited employer. Tier 2 occupations generally lead to the Work to Residence Visa after completing 24 months of qualifying full-time work in New Zealand. Straight to Residence Visa – Immigration New Zealand Work to Residence Visa – Immigration New Zealand
3. Is Web Developer on the New Zealand Green List?
No. Web Developer is not currently listed as a Green List occupation. The ICT occupations on the list include roles such as Software Engineer, Developer Programmer, ICT Security Specialist, Software Tester, Database Administrator and Systems Administrator. New Zealand Green List occupations – Immigration New Zealand
4. Do I need a job offer to use the Green List?
Yes. To use a Green List residence pathway, you need qualifying employment or a qualifying job offer with an accredited New Zealand employer, along with the occupation-specific requirements. Tier 1 leads to Straight to Residence, while Tier 2 requires the relevant qualifying work period for Work to Residence. Straight to Residence Visa – Immigration New Zealand Work to Residence Visa – Immigration New Zealand
