ANZSCO Skill Level Classifications

kshitiz May 4, 2021

ANZSCO Skill Level Classifications

ANZSCO Skill Level Classifications are an integral part of the New Zealand and Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) system, providing a clear and standardized way of identifying and categorizing the skills and qualifications required for different occupations.

With skill level 1, 2, and 3 occupations, the ANZSCO system provides a comprehensive and detailed way of identifying the qualifications and experience required for different roles. Whether you are seeking to migrate to Australia or New Zealand or to understand the requirements for different jobs, understanding the ANZSCO skill levels is essential.

In this blog, we will explore the ANZSCO skill level classifications, including skill level 1, 2, and 3 occupations and the qualifications and experience required for each level, to help you better understand the ANZSCO system and the skill level 1 to 3.”

Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) was introduced by the joint effort of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Statistics New Zealand, and the Department of Education and Training for classifications of the numerous occupation statistics.

ANZSCO is a skill-based classification system that categorizes all professions and employment in the Australian and New Zealand labor markets.

ANZSCO engineers are in high demand in Australia, so many people are considering migrating to seek a successful engineering career there. Applicants dreaming of moving to Australia for a secure employment opportunity must know which occupation category they belong to.

For a skilled migration from Australia, the various occupations have been categorized. The applicants choose the proper ANZSCO code that matches their qualifications before applying for the migration process.

ANZSCO Structure Overview

The ANZSCO structure is divided into five hierarchical levels.

1. Major group
2. Sub-major group
3. Minor Group
4. Unit Group
5. Occupation.

In the most thorough description level, the categories are called ‘occupations.’ These are combined to form ‘unit groups,’ further subdivided into ‘minor groups.’ Minor groups are aggregated to form ‘sub-major groups,’ which are then aggregated to form ‘major groups’ at the top level.

Conceptual Model of ANZSCO

ANZSCO describes a collection of occupations that incorporates all Australian and New Zealand labor market workers. It distinguishes these occupations based on their characteristics and classes them into successively broader categories based on their similarities for statistical and other study forms.

ANZSCO also classifies professions into increasingly broader classes based on their distinctions, incompetence level, and skill specialization.

The ANZSCO conceptual approach provides a variation of competence level and skill specialization as guidelines for designing significant classes that are meaningful and usable for the majority of purposes. The eight main groups are created by combining sub-major groups based on expertise level and skill specialization.

The insightful appeal and usefulness in both statistical and administrative applications were also important considerations in the design of the major groups. At the second level of classification, the sub-major group level, the competence level standard is applied as robustly as possible, along with a more refined application of skill specialization than at the primary group level.

ANZSCO Skill Level

ANZSCO defines skill level as a function of the range and complexity of the projects performed in a specific occupation. The larger the range and difficulty of a series of tasks, the higher an occupation’s skill level. Skill level is measured based on the following points.

• The level or amount of formal schooling
• The level or amount of formal schooling and education
• The amount of prior experience in a similar profession
• The amount of on-the-job training needed to execute the collection of duties required by that occupation competently.

ANZSCO classifies occupations into five skill levels. Employers, business educational councils, specialist associations, and others were consulted when assessing the competence level of each occupation in ANZSCO to ensure that the knowledge is as reliable and relevant as possible. The following categories are used to determine the distinctions between skill levels.

Skill Level 1

Occupations at Skill Level 1 need a skill equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or higher education level. A formal certification can be replaced by at least five years of applicable experience. In some cases, related experience and on-the-job preparation may be needed in addition to the standardized certification.

Skill Level 2

Skill Level 2 occupations have a degree of proficiency comparable to one of the following:

1. NZ Register Diploma,
2. AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma, or Diploma.

At least three years of appropriate experience can be substituted for the above-mentioned academic qualifications. In some cases, related experience and on-the-job preparation may be needed in addition to the formal certification.

Skill Level 3

Skill Level 3 occupations have a level of expertise comparable to one of the following:

1. Level 4 qualification on the NZ Register
2. AQF Certificate IV
3. AQF Certificate III, with at least two years of on-the-job experience.

At least three years of applicable experience can be substituted for the above-mentioned academic qualifications. In some cases, related experience and on-the-job preparation may be needed in addition to the formal certification.

Skill Level 4

Skill Level 4 occupations have a degree of proficiency equivalent to one of the following:

1. NZ Register Level 2 or 3 certification
2. AQF Certificate II or III.

At least one year of applicable experience can be replaced for the above-mentioned academic qualifications. In some instances, applicable experience, in addition to the formal certification, may be needed.

Skill Level 5

Ability Level 5 occupations have a level of skill comparable to one of the following:

1. AQF Certificate I
2.  NZ Register Level 1 certification
3. Higher education level.

A brief duration of on-the-job preparation might be needed in addition to or ahead of the formal certification for specific occupations. In some instances, no advanced education or on-the-job training is needed.

If your occupation is ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3

If your occupation is ANZSCO skill level 1, 2, or 3, you must have:

• An applicable recognized qualification at or above the standard specified by ANZSCO
• the relevant work experience that ANZSCO states can be replaced for a formal qualification — for any skill level 1 occupation, you can substitute the ANZSCO qualification for five years of work experience, even though ANZSCO does not state this
• job offer on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, and you meet its requirements
• A job offer that requires occupational registration in New Zealand.

If your occupation is ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, or not in ANZSCO

If your occupation belongs to the ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 or does not have a matching ANZSCO description, you must have the following:

• An applicable qualification recognized at or above level 4 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework or a level 3 qualification that is listed in the Qualifications Exempt from Assessment
• at least three years of related work experience
• A job offer on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, and you meet its requirements
• a job offer that needs occupational registration in New Zealand and has a complete provisional registration for the job.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, the ANZSCO Skill Level Classifications provide a valuable tool for understanding the qualifications and experience required for different occupations in Australia and New Zealand. Whether you are seeking to migrate or simply exploring other career options, understanding the ANZSCO skill levels is essential.

With skill level 1, 2, and 3 occupations, the ANZSCO system offers a comprehensive and straightforward way to identify the requirements for different roles.

By understanding the ANZSCO skill level classifications, you can make informed decisions about your career path and better understand the qualifications and experience required to succeed in your desired field.

Why do we recommend Professional Help?

With the correct ANZSCO Code equivalent to your chosen occupation, you will be suitable for a proper Migration Skill Assessment from the respective governing body. Be it a CDR report, RPL report, or KA02 report, we got you covered. Furthermore, you can rely on us for various reviewing services, career episode writing, and CPD.