Monday, 31 May 2010

Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) biannual review Wednesday, 25 November 2009

The biannual review of the LTSSL, which is administered by the Department of Labour, includes the removal of six occupations, addition of five occupations and minor changes to occupation requirements. The list comprises occupations deemed to be in long-term shortage in the New Zealand labour market.

Removal of occupations

The removal of the occupations from the list is the result of extensive consultation with industry groups, other stakeholders and relevant government agencies.


Removal of occupations from the LTSSL does not mean employers cannot recruit migrants in those occupations. An employer can demonstrate genuine attempts to recruit a suitable New Zealander, as is the process with all other occupations. If, after the labour market is tested, Immigration New Zealand is satisfied no suitable New Zealanders are available in that location then temporary work permits may still be granted.

The occupations being removed from the LTSSL with effect from Thursday, 26 November 2009 are:

- Boat Builder and Repairer
- Fitter and Turner
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
- Fruit or Nut Grower (Orchard Manager)
- Market Gardener (Crop Production/Agronomist Manager)
- Mixed Crop Farmer (Grower Manager).

The last three occupations above have been added to the Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL).

Addition of occupations

The following occupations will be added to the LTSSL:

- Physicist (Medical)
- Life Scientist (Regulatory Toxicologist)
- Medical Oncologist
- Supply and Distribution Manager (Procurement Professionals)
- Diesel Motor Mechanic.

Minor amendments

Other minor amendments to the LTSSL have been made to clarify certain qualification and work experience requirements for occupations on the LTSSL. A summary of these amendments is outlined below.

- Multimedia Designer (Film Animator) now requires a minimum of three years work experience.

- Chef – the following qualification requirements have been added: ‘National Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) Level 4 plus National Certificate in hospitality (Basic Cookery) (Level 3).

- Obstetricians and Gynaecologists now require registration within a provisional general or general scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand.

- Other minor changes have been made to the requirements of various occupations, eg some occupations have been changed to add that applicants must hold New Zealand registration.

Skilled Migrant Category

The LTSSL is also used for the awarding of bonus points under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) for employment, work experience and qualifications in areas of absolute skills shortage. Changes to the SMC will take effect from 26 November 2009 to ensure people whose Expressions of Interest (EOIs) have been drawn from the Pool are not disadvantaged if the qualification and experience requirements for an occupation on the LTSSL have changed. EOIs selected that have claimed points for qualifications and experience requirements for an occupation on the LTSSL will now continue to be considered as if the qualification and experience requirements of that occupation have not been changed.

Any of the changes to the LTSSL will not affect the processing of an SMC application that has already been accepted by Immigration New Zealand.

For more information see Amendment Circular 2009-17 PDF, and the Essential Skills in Demand Lists.

Tuesday, 1 December 2009

Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) Biannual Review

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

The biannual review of the LTSSL, which is administered by the Department of Labour, includes the removal of six occupations, addition of five occupations and minor changes to occupation requirements. The list comprises occupations deemed to be in long-term shortage in the New Zealand labour market.

Removal of occupations

The removal of the occupations from the list is the result of extensive consultation with industry groups, other stakeholders and relevant government agencies.
Removal of occupations from the LTSSL does not mean employers cannot recruit migrants in those occupations. An employer can demonstrate genuine attempts to recruit a suitable New Zealander, as is the process with all other occupations. If, after the labour market is tested, Immigration New Zealand is satisfied no suitable New Zealanders are available in that location then temporary work permits may still be granted.

The occupations being removed from the LTSSL with effect from Thursday, 26 November 2009 are:

- Boat Builder and Repairer
- Fitter and Turner
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
- Fruit or Nut Grower (Orchard Manager)
- Market Gardener (Crop Production/Agronomist Manager)
- Mixed Crop Farmer (Grower Manager).

The last three occupations above have been added to the Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL).

Addition of occupations

The following occupations will be added to the LTSSL:

- Physicist (Medical)
- Life Scientist (Regulatory Toxicologist)
- Medical Oncologist
- Supply and Distribution Manager (Procurement Professionals)
- Diesel Motor Mechanic.

Minor amendments

Other minor amendments to the LTSSL have been made to clarify certain qualification and work experience requirements for occupations on the LTSSL. A summary of these amendments is outlined below.

- Multimedia Designer (Film Animator) now requires a minimum of three years work experience.

- Chef – The following qualification requirements have been added: ‘National Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) Level 4 plus National Certificate in hospitality (Basic Cookery) (Level 3)’.

- Obstetricians and Gynaecologists now require registration within a provisional general or general scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand.

- Other minor changes have been made to the requirements of various occupations, eg some occupations have been changed to add that applicants must hold New Zealand registration.

Skilled Migrant Category

The LTSSL is also used for the awarding of bonus points under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) for employment, work experience and qualifications in areas of absolute skills shortage. Changes to the SMC will take effect from 26 November 2009 to ensure people whose Expressions of Interest (EOIs) have been drawn from the Pool are not disadvantaged if the qualification and experience requirements for an occupation on the LTSSL have changed. EOIs selected that have claimed points for qualifications and experience requirements for an occupation on the LTSSL will now continue to be considered as if the qualification and experience requirements of that occupation have not been changed.

Any of the changes to the LTSSL will not affect the processing of an SMC application that has already been accepted by Immigration New Zealand.

For more information see
Amendment Circular 2009-17 PDF, and the Essential Skills in Demand Lists.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like assistance with anything arising out of these changes.

Friday, 25 September 2009

Occupations dropped from LTSS List...

The occupations being removed from the ISSL with effect from Monday 15 June 2009 are:

  • Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator
  • Autoglazier
  • Baker
  • Bicycle Mechanic
  • Binder and Finisher (Perfect Binder)
  • Binder and Finisher (Print Finisher)
  • Bricklayer
  • Butcher or smallgoods maker
  • Cabinetmaker (marine)
  • Carpenter (including builder)
  • Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator
  • Dental Assistant
  • Drainlayer
  • Earthmoving Labourer (Asphalt, concrete, chip sealing and road pavement workers only)
  • Electronic equipment and electronic instrument trades worker
  • Motor mechanic (automotive technician)
  • Painting trades worker (painter, decorator and paper hanger)
  • Paving Plant Operator (Roading)
  • Pig Farmer (Farm Manager) (Pork Industry)
  • Pig Farm Worker (Senior Stockperson only)
  • Plasterer (fibrous and solid)
  • Plastics Die Setter
  • Printing machinist (die cutter operator)
  • Printing machinist (die maker)
  • Printing machinist (flexographic printer)
  • Printing machinist (folder gluer operator)
  • Printing machinist (folder operator)
  • Printing machinist (sheet-fed offset printer)
  • Printing machinist (stitcher operator)
  • Product Assembler (Aluminium Joiner)
  • Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker (Fibreglass)
  • Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker (Marine Laminator)
  • Roof Tiler and Plumber
  • Roof Tiler and Roof Plumber (Supervisor)
  • Scaffolder
  • Screen Printer
  • Sheep Farm Worker (Senior Shepherd/ Stock Manager)
  • Sheep Farm Worker (Shepherd only)
  • Sheetmetal trades worker
  • Sommelier
  • Textile Dyeing and Finishing Machine Operator (Fabric Finishing Specialist/Technologist)
  • Travel Consultant (Senior)
  • Vehicle painter (including refinisher)
  • Web-offset Printer

From Immigration New Zealand, NZ Labour Dept, WINZ, and local media

Fifty two (52) occupations cut from Long Term Skills Shortage List

But it's not all bad news!

On Monday, 15 June 2009, 44 occupations were removed from the Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL) and a further 8 were removed from the List on 2 July 2009.

The good news is that these occupations are still in Appendix 11 of the INZ Occupational Manual. For example, the occupation of "Baker" was removed from the LTSSL, but is still in Part B of Appendix 11, meaning that it is still available as a skilled employment occupation for suitably qualified applicants provided there are no NZ residents or citizens available to do the work.

If you believe you are negatively impacted or your application for residence or chances for residence are negatively impacted by these changes, you are welcome to come and discuss your situation with us - 03 372 9510.

The occupations being removed from the LTSSL with effect from Thursday, 2 July 2009 are:

  • Motor Mechanic (General)
  • Motor Mechanic (Auto Air Conditioning Technicians)
  • Motor Mechanic (Motor Vehicle Inspectors)
  • Plumber (General)
  • Fitter Welder
  • Diesel Motor Mechanic
  • Carpenter/Joiner
  • Cabinet Maker.
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