IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has completed its regular review of the Essential Skills in Demand (ESID) lists.

What does the change mean? Changes to the lists will primarily affect New Zealand businesses and foreign nationals who are seeking to make use of the Essential Skills work visa or the Long Term Skill Shortage List work visa programs.

  • Implementation time frame: May 27.
  • Visas/permits affected: Essential Skills work visas, Long Term Skill Shortage work visas, Skilled Migrant visas.
  • Who is affected: Foreign nationals and companies sponsoring foreign nationals for temporary work visas under the Essential Skills or Long Term Skill Shortage work visa programs.
  • Business Impact: Employers sponsoring foreign nationals for Essential Skills work visas in occupations that have been added to the ESID lists will not be required to conduct labor market testing as part of the application process. Employers sponsoring foreign nationals for work visas in occupations that previously appeared on the Immediate Skill Shortage List and do not appear on the ESID lists currently in force will now have to carry out labor market testing. The Long Term Skill Shortage List work visa (which provides a direct pathway to residence) is now an available option for foreign nationals working in occupations that have been added to the Long Term Skill Shortage List.

Background: The ESID lists include the Long Term Skill Shortage List, the Regional Skill Shortage List, which will replace the Immediate Skill Shortage List, and the Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List.

Immigration New Zealand announced the changes May 8 and they were implemented on May 27. The following adjustments have been made to the ESID lists:

  • Long Term Skill Shortage List.
    • Aged Care Registered Nurse was added.
    • Construction Project Manager Roading and Infrastructure was amended by extending the listing. to include Building Construction Project Managers.
  • Regional Skills Shortage List.
    • Early Childhood Teacher was added.
    • Primary School Teacher was added.
    • Secondary School Teacher was added.
  • Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List.
    • Building Associate was added.
    • Plumber (General) was amended to extend the listing to all regions.
    • Stonemason was removed for the Canterbury region; it will remain for Auckland and Northland.

Analysis & Comments: Employers should consult the full lists, which are regularly reviewed and updated, when planning to recruit or hire foreign nationals.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.