For an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), whether you need to show proof of English is based on how your job is classified.

If your role is at a higher skill level, you usually do not need to provide an English test like IELTS. But if your job falls under Skill Level 4 or 5, you may be asked to show proof of English.

What English proof is accepted for AEWV?

If required, you can meet the English requirement through a recognised English test like IELTS.

You need a minimum overall IELTS score of 4.0 to qualify.

Immigration New Zealand accepts IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, and IELTS One Skill Retake for AEWV applications.

Check whether your role is in ANZSCO Level 4 or Level 5 occupations

Before you apply, it is important to confirm your job’s skill level.

This helps you:

  • Know if you need IELTS before applying.

  • Avoid delays or refusals.

  • Plan your next visa steps with confidence.

Below is a list of ANZSCO Level 4 or Level 5 occupations.

ANZSCO Skill Level 5 occupations

Community and Personal Service Workers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

431911

Bar Useful or Busser

431912

Doorperson or Luggage Porter

431999

Hospitality Workers nec

442211

Alarm, Security or Surveillance Monitor

442212

Armoured Car Escort

Sales Workers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

621111

Sales Assistant (General)

621211

ICT Sales Assistant

621611

Service Station Attendant

621711

Cash Van Salesperson

621712

Door-to-door Salesperson

621713

Street Vendor

621911

Materials Recycler

621912

Rental Salesperson

621999

Sales Assistants and Salespersons nec

631111

Checkout Operator

631112

Office Cashier

639111

Model

639112

Sales Demonstrator

639311

Telemarketer

639411

Ticket Seller

639412

Transport Conductor

Clerical and Office Support Workers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

561111

Betting Agency Counter Clerk

561112

Bookmaker's Clerk

561113

Telephone Betting Clerk

561199

Betting Clerks nec

561211

Courier

561212

Postal Delivery Officer

561311

Filing or Registry Clerk

561411

Mail Clerk

561412

Postal Sorting Officer

561511

Survey Interviewer

561611

Switchboard Operator

561911

Classified Advertising Clerk

561912

Meter Reader

561913

Parking Inspector

561999

Clerical and Office Support Workers nec

Machinery Operators and Drivers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

711111

Clay Products Machine Operator

711112

Concrete Products Machine Operator

711113

Glass Production Machine Operator

711114

Stone Processing Machine Operator

711199

Clay, Concrete, Glass, and Stone Processing Operators

Cleaners and Laundry Workers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

811111

Car Detailer

811311

Domestic Cleaner

811411

Commercial Housekeeper

811412

Domestic Housekeeper

811511

Laundry Worker (General)

811512

Drycleaner

811513

Ironer or Presser

811612

Window Cleaner

811699

Cleaners nec

Construction and Mining Labourers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

821111

Builder's Labourer

821112

Drainage, Sewerage and Stormwater Labourer

821113

Earthmoving Labourer

821114

Plumber's Assistant

821211

Concreter

821912

Driller's Assistant

821914

Mining Support Worker

821915

Surveyor's Assistant

Factory Process Workers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

831114

Dairy Products Maker

831115

Fruit and Vegetable Factory Worker

831311

Meat Process Worker

831312

Poultry Process Worker

831313

Seafood Process Worker

832111

Chocolate Packer

832112

Container Filler

832113

Fruit and Vegetable Packer

832114

Meat Packer

832115

Seafood Packer

832199

Packers nec

832211

Product Assembler

839111

Metal Engineering Process Worker

Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

841111

Aquaculture Worker

841211–841217

Crop Farm Workers (various specialisations)

841299

Crop Farm Workers nec

841411

Garden Labourer

841412

Horticultural Nursery Assistant

841511–841517

Livestock Farm Workers

841599

Livestock Farm Workers nec

841611

Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Worker

841911

Hunter-Trapper

 Food Preparation Assistants

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

851111

Fast Food Cook

851211

Pastrycook's Assistant

851299

Food Trades Assistants nec

851311

Kitchenhand

Other Labourers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

899311

Handyperson

891111

Freight Handler

891112

Truck Driver’s Offsider

891113

Waterside Worker

891211

Shelf Filler

899111

Caretaker

ANZSCO Skill Level 4 occupations

Community and Personal Service Workers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

451799

Travel Attendants nec

451816

Religious Assistant

451899

Personal Service Workers nec

Clerical and Administrative Workers

General Clerical Roles

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

541112

Call or Contact Centre Operator

542111

Receptionist (General)

542112

Admissions Clerk

542113

Hotel or Motel Receptionist

542114

Medical Receptionist

542121

Information Officer

Accounting & Finance Clerks

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

551111

Accounts Clerk

551112

Cost Clerk

551311

Payroll Clerk

552311

Bookmaker

552312

Insurance Consultant

552313

Money Market Clerk

552314

Statistical Clerk

Logistics & Supply Clerks

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

591112

Production Clerk

591113

Purchasing Officer

591115

Stock Clerk

591116

Warehouse Administrator

591117

Order Clerk

591211

Despatching and Receiving Clerk

591212

Import-Export Clerk

Specialist Clerical Roles

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

597311

Debt Collector

599411

Human Resource Clerk

599511

Customs Officer

599512

Immigration Officer

599513

Motor Vehicle Licence Examiner

599514

Noxious Weeds and Pest Inspector

599515

Social Security Assessor

599516

Taxation Inspector

599517

Train Examiner

599518

Transport Operations Inspector

599521

Water Inspector

599599

Inspectors and Regulatory Officers nec

Other Clerical Roles

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

599711

Library Assistant

599912

Production Assistant (Film, TV, Radio or Stage)

599913

Proof Reader

599914

Radio Dispatcher

599916

Facilities Administrator

599999

Clerical and Administrative Workers nec

Sales Workers

Sales Representatives

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

611311

Sales Representative (Building and Plumbing Supplies)

611312

Sales Representative (Business Services)

611313

Sales Representative (Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories)

611314

Sales Representative (Personal and Household Goods)

611399

Sales Representatives nec

Specialised Sales Roles

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

621311

Motor Vehicle or Caravan Salesperson

621312

Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter / Automotive Parts Salesperson

621411

Pharmacy Sales Assistant

621511

Retail Supervisor

Sales Support Roles

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

639511

Visual Merchandiser

639911

Other Sales Support Worker

Machinery Operators and Drivers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

711111

Clay Products Machine Operator

711112

Concrete Products Machine Operator

711113

Glass Production Machine Operator

711114

Stone Processing Machine Operator

711199

Processing Operators

711314

Other Wood Processing Machine Operator

711411

Photographic Developer and Printer

Cleaners and Laundry Workers 

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

811211

Commercial Cleaner

811611

Carpet Cleaner

Construction and Mining Labourers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

821311

Fencer

821411

Building Insulation Installer

821412

Home Improvement Installer

821511

Paving and Surfacing Labourer

821611

Railway Track Worker

821712

Scaffolder

821713

Steel Fixer

821714

Structural Steel Erector

821911

Crane Chaser

Factory Process Workers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

831111

Baking Factory Worker

831112

Brewery Worker

831113

Confectionery Maker

831116

Grain Mill Worker

831117

Sugar Mill Worker

831118

Winery Cellar Hand

831199

Food and Drink Factory Workers nec

831211

Meat Boner and Slicer

831212

Slaughterer

839211

Plastics Factory Worker

839212

Rubber Factory Worker

Product Quality Controllers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

839311

Product Examiner

839312

Product Grader

839313

Product Tester

Timber and Wood Process Workers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

839411

Paper and Pulp Mill Worker

839412

Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker

839413

Wood and Wood Products Factory Worker

Other Factory Process Workers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

839911

Cement and Concrete Plant Worker

839912

Chemical Plant Worker

839913

Clay Processing Factory Worker

839914

Fabric and Textile Factory Worker

839915

Footwear Factory Worker

839916

Glass Processing Worker

839917

Hide and Skin Processing Worker

839918

Recycling Worker

839999

Factory Process Workers nec

Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

841311

Forestry Worker

841312

Logging Assistant

841313

Tree Faller

Other Labourers

ANZSCO Code

Occupation

899211

Deck Hand

899212

Fishing Hand

899411–899415

Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories Fitters

Plan your New Zealand residence pathway with confidence

If residence is part of your long-term plan, it helps to understand both your English requirement and your wider pathway early.

We can help you book IELTS, explain the score you may need for your visa, and compare study options if your qualification is still part of your next step. 

If you also want advice based on your own visa situation, you can speak with IDP migration experts.

Immigration and the law

Legislation about immigration changes frequently. It’s important to check the New Zealand Immigration website for changes that may apply to you. You may want to consider getting support from a lawyer or migration agent.