New pathway · from 24 August 2026
The Trades & Technician pathway
From 24 August 2026, qualified tradespeople and technicians in 109 listed occupations get their own route to New Zealand residence (instruction SR3.40). Unlike the Skilled Work Experience pathway there is no wage multiplier: the job needs to pay the standard SMC wage threshold ($35.00 an hour at the current rate).
The requirements
- Occupation: on the Appendix 23 list below, at the time your NZ skilled work experience began (you stay eligible if it is later removed).
- Qualification: a relevant NZQCF level 4 or higher qualification. NZ-gained qualifications must total at least 120 credits (prerequisite NZ qualifications can combine; recognition of prior learning credits do not count). Overseas qualifications are assessed via an NZQA International Qualifications Assessment instead.
- Experience, 4 years total, all after the qualification: at least 2.5 years directly relevant (any country, within the last 10 years, not self-employment, tax records required) plus at least 18 months of skilled work experience in New Zealand within the last 3 years.
- Plus the usual SMC basics: accredited employer, full-time, aged 55 or younger, English, health and character.
Check where you stand in 3 minutes
Type your trade into the checker: it knows all 109 occupations, applies the 120-credit and post-qualification rules, and compares this pathway against the Points-based route.
Run the free SMC eligibility checker →All 109 eligible occupations (Appendix 23)
ANZSCO v1.3 codes as listed in Amendment Circular 2026-16, effective 24 August 2026.
- Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber (334112)
- Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic (342111)
- Apparel Cutter (393211)
- Architectural Draftsperson (312111)
- Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians nec (312199)
- Automotive Electrician (321111)
- Blacksmith (322111)
- Boat Builder and Repairer (399111)
- Building and Engineering Technicians nec (312999)
- Building Associate (312112)
- Building Inspector (312113)
- Bungy Jump Master (452211)
- Business Machine Mechanic (342311)
- Butcher or Smallgoods Maker (351211)
- Camera Operator (Film, Television or Video) (399512)
- Carpenter and Joiner (331211)
- Chemistry Technician (311411)
- Civil Engineering Draftsperson (312211)
- Clothing Patternmaker (393212)
- Clothing Trades Workers nec (393299)
- Construction Estimator (312114)
- Diesel Motor Mechanic (321212)
- Diver (399911)
- Diving Instructor (Open Water) (452311)
- Dressmaker or Tailor (393213)
- Earth Science Technician (311412)
- Electrical Engineering Draftsperson (312311)
- Electronic Engineering Draftsperson (312411)
- Electronic Equipment Trades Worker (342313)
- Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General) (342314)
- Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class) (342315)
- Electroplater (322112)
- Engineering Patternmaker (323411)
- Engraver (323311)
- Farrier (322113)
- Fibrous Plasterer (333211)
- Fire Protection Equipment Technician (399918)
- Fitter (General) (323211)
- Fitter and Turner (323212)
- Fitter-Welder (323213)
- Floor Finisher (332111)
- Glazier (333111)
- Hardware Technician (313111)
- Hydrographer (311415)
- Industrial Spraypainter (711211)
- Jeweller (399411)
- Joiner (331213)
- Knitting Machine Operator (711713)
- Leather Goods Maker (393112)
- Library Technician (399312)
- Life Science Technician (311413)
- Lift Mechanic (341113)
- Light Technician (399513)
- Locksmith (323313)
- Marine Transport Professionals nec (231299)
- Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson (312511)
- Medical Technicians nec (311299)
- Metal Casting Trades Worker (322114)
- Metal Fabricator (322311)
- Metal Fitters and Machinists nec (323299)
- Metal Machinist (First Class) (323214)
- Metal Polisher (322115)
- Metallurgical or Materials Technician (312912)
- Motor Mechanic (General) (321211)
- Motorcycle Mechanic (321213)
- Musical Instrument Maker or Repairer (399515)
- Network Administrator (263112)
- Painting Trades Worker (332211)
- Panelbeater (324111)
- Paper and Pulp Mill Operator (712916)
- Paper Products Machine Operator (711311)
- Performing Arts Technicians nec (399599)
- Plastics Technician (399916)
- Plumbing Inspector (312115)
- Precision Instrument Maker and Repairer (323314)
- Printing Machinist (392311)
- Radiocommunications Technician (313211)
- Roof Tiler (333311)
- Sail Maker (393113)
- Saw Maker and Repairer (323315)
- School Laboratory Technician (311414)
- Science Technicians nec (311499)
- Screen Printer (392112)
- Sewing Machinist (711611)
- Sheetmetal Trades Worker (322211)
- Shipwright (399112)
- Signwriter (399611)
- Small Engine Mechanic (321214)
- Small Offset Printer (392312)
- Solid Plasterer (333212)
- Sound Technician (399516)
- Stonemason (331112)
- Surveying or Spatial Science Technician (312116)
- Technicians and Trades Workers nec (399999)
- Telecommunications Cable Jointer (342412)
- Telecommunications Field Engineer (313212)
- Telecommunications Linesworker \ Telecommunications Line Mechanic (342413)
- Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist (313214)
- Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic (323215)
- Toolmaker (323412)
- Vehicle Body Builder (324211)
- Vehicle Painter (324311)
- Veterinary Nurse (361311)
- Wall and Floor Tiler (333411)
- Waste Water or Water Plant Operator (712921)
- Watch and Clock Maker and Repairer (323316)
- Welder (First Class) (Aus) \ Welder (NZ) (322313)
- Wood Machinist (394213)
- Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers nec (394299)
Common questions
Figures and rules on this page are sourced from Immigration New Zealand (Amendment Circular 2026-16, the INZ Operational Manual, and INZ's published pay-rate tables), current as at 8 July 2026. The 24 August 2026 settings are provisional until the amended instructions are published on the INZ website. This page is general information about immigration settings, not immigration advice; for advice about your situation, talk to a licensed immigration adviser or lawyer. See the official INZ Skilled Migrant Category pages.