Gate opens in the dairy industry for migrant workers
Residence is a step closer for migrant workers employed in the dairy industry. It is pleasing Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced it will assess Dairy Cattle Farmer occupations in line with the The Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) six digit code of 121313 in the 1.3 version. This brings much needed clarity for those involved in the dairy industry and while it isn’t a not a fast track to residence, it is a gate in a long fence run.
I can personally attest, this has taken decades to achieve as I have discussed this situation, on numerous occasions, in previous roles and admire Federated Farmers and other industry organisations for their dedication to the cause and this achievement. Well done.
ANZSCO is a system that collects, publishes and analyses occupation information alongside the qualifications and experience required for each occupation. Updated versions are released periodically and currently, other than a selected inclusion list, INZ currently uses the 1.2 version of ANZSCO.
While INZ places less emphasis on ANZSCO for work visa determination, given wage rates dominates, it still remains significant for matching job titles against job descriptions and actual duties performed, reviewing market wage rates and for residence.
New skilled occupations in the dairy industry
The win for the dairy industry is that assistant dairy farm manager and dairy herd manager roles join dairy farm manager as “skilled” occupations for residence assessment purposes. The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) of the Residence Program is a points based system of allocating points with applicants needing to apply for an Expression of Interest, to be placed in a pool, and then to be selected and issued with an Invitation to Apply for Residence.
A job offer is not mandatory for SMC; however it is generally the pathway to gain residence, so including more dairy folk whose roles are considered to be eligible is a bonus for the dairy industry. Other criteria must be met such as evidence of a high standard of English language which may well be a major challenge for a number of migrants.
An Expression of Interest
Currently, INZ is not issuing any Invitations to Apply, however the opportunity to apply for An Expression of Interest to be placed in the pool remains open. Now is a good time to establish if you or your worker has a pathway to residence and we can help you plan that pathway.
Contact Heartland Immigration and let us be on visa while you are on farm.
Disclaimer: Mary Noonan is Heartland Immigration Ltd Managing Director and her views, expressed in this article, are not intended to replace the professional service provided to individual migrants by a Licensed or Registered Immigration Adviser or Migration Agent.
