Most people planning a move to the southern hemisphere start with Australia and never look further. That is often a mistake. New Zealand runs a fundamentally different system — one that trades the points lottery for a published list of occupations the country has decided it needs, with a defined path to residence attached to each.
Two tiers, two very different timelines
The Green List splits into two tiers, and the difference between them is roughly two years of your life.
Tier 1 — Straight to Residence
Secure a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer and you can apply for residence immediately. There is no provisional visa, no waiting period and no points test. You arrive as a resident.
Tier 1 covers most medical specialists, general practitioners, registered nurses in specified fields, midwives, veterinarians, ICT security specialists, software engineers, civil and structural engineers, and a range of construction and engineering professionals.
Tier 2 — Work to Residence
You arrive on an Accredited Employer Work Visa and become eligible for residence after 24 months of employment in that occupation. Longer, but the outcome is the same.
Tier 2 includes many secondary school teachers in shortage subjects, primary school teachers, registered nurses in aged care, automotive electricians, diesel mechanics, gasfitters, and a range of skilled trades.
What actually qualifies you
- A job offer from an employer holding current accreditation with Immigration New Zealand
- The role must match a Green List occupation and meet its specific qualification or registration requirements
- Occupational registration where required — Nursing Council, Engineering New Zealand, Teaching Council and similar
- Pay at or above any threshold attached to the occupation on the list
- Age 55 or under at the time of application
- Acceptable health and character, including chest x-ray and police certificates
How the process runs
- 1Confirm your occupation and tier against the current Green List, using the ANZSCO code rather than your job title.
- 2Obtain occupational registration if your profession requires it — this is frequently the longest step and should be started first.
- 3Secure a job offer from an accredited employer. The employer completes a job check before the offer can support a visa.
- 4For Tier 1, lodge the Straight to Residence application. For Tier 2, apply for the AEWV, relocate, and lodge residence after 24 months.
- 5Complete medicals and police clearances for every family member included in the application.
Where New Zealand beats Australia
| Factor | New Zealand | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum age for residence | 55 | 44 |
| Points test | Six-point system | 100-point matrix |
| Job offer required | Yes, for most routes | No, for 189/190/491 |
| Time to residence (Tier 1) | Job offer + processing | 12 – 24 months |
| Partner work rights | Generally yes | Yes |
The trade-off is clear. Australia lets you migrate without an employer but makes you compete on points. New Zealand asks you to secure a job first, then gets out of the way. For applicants over 45, or in occupations where Australian competition is brutal, New Zealand is frequently the faster and more certain route.
There is a further advantage worth noting: New Zealand citizens can live and work in Australia indefinitely under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement. For some applicants, New Zealand is not the alternative to Australia — it is the longer road to it.