New Zealand SMC in 2026: points, skilled experience or the trades and technician pathway?
Since 24 August 2026, New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category has three pathways: Points-based, Skilled Work Experience, and Trades and Technician. Six points belongs to the first route, not every SMC applicant. All routes still require the relevant skilled employment and personal conditions. Begin with the actual occupation, qualification and work history instead of choosing the shortest number in an advertisement.
Pathway | Core basis to assess |
Points-based | Six points from one skill category, plus eligible New Zealand experience if needed |
Skilled Work Experience | Three years of relevant prior experience plus two additional qualifying New Zealand years |
Trades and Technician | Relevant Level 4-or-higher qualification, two years six months of relevant post-qualification experience plus 18 additional qualifying New Zealand months |
Points-based: choose one skill category
Qualification, income and New Zealand registration are alternative skill categories. They cannot all be added together. If the supported skill score is short of six, qualifying New Zealand experience can provide one point for a year, two for 18 months or three for two years, within the corresponding look-back windows and wage conditions. Do not use the former three-year experience rule as though it were the current table.
The qualification table distinguishes recognised types, New Zealand and overseas study, and degree combinations. Income points require the appropriate wage multiplier. Registration points depend on the exact recognised scope. Even a six-point claim does not remove employment or other conditions, and contracts for services have specific experience requirements.
Skilled Work Experience: do not count the same period twice
The experience route needs three years of directly relevant experience and two additional years of qualifying New Zealand skilled experience, totalling at least five. It is not three years total with the same two local years counted again. Current employment is in the relevant ANZSCO skill-level 1–3 range, with the pathway's wage multiplier and other conditions.
Amber List occupations have additional restrictions: the prior three relevant years also need to be in New Zealand, followed by the additional two. The applicable wage is 1.2 times the threshold for Amber occupations, compared with 1.1 times for the relevant non-Amber experience route. Red List occupations cannot use this route. Check the actual list entry and duties rather than relying on the job title alone.
Trades and Technician: the qualification and listed occupation matter
This route requires a relevant qualification at Level 4 or above and an occupation on the specified Trades and Technician list. The experience combines two years six months of relevant post-qualification work with 18 additional months of qualifying New Zealand skilled work, totalling at least four years. Both the relevance and the post-qualification sequence need evidence.
A trade qualification does not make every occupation eligible, and experience before the relevant qualification should not automatically be counted as post-qualification. The current job and local experience must meet the route's occupation and pay requirements. Compare the full official entry before arranging a course or assuming a particular employer can supply eligibility.
Employment and policy dates remain separate gates
Ordinary employment has requirements concerning guaranteed hours, accreditation, term and genuineness. A recognised qualification or years of service do not create a job offer or work permission. The applicant must also address age 55 or younger at residence application, English, health, character and applicable family requirements.
Submit an EOI under the supported pathway and, if invited, apply within four months through the invited route. An invitation before 24 August 2026 has specific transition rules using the earlier instructions, even if lodgement follows later. Do not combine convenient pieces of both systems.
For a practical assessment, organise the occupation and duties, current contract, pay history, qualification or registration evidence and dated work periods. Separate what already exists from future plans. Where more than one pathway appears possible, compare the genuine evidence and remaining requirements. A private pathway assessment is not an invitation, a work visa or a resident approval.
Official sources and verification date
18 October 2026
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