ANZSCO 1.3 occupation

Freight Handler (Rail or Road): ANZSCO code 891111

Freight Handler (Rail or Road) is occupation 891111 in ANZSCO 1.3, the classification Immigration New Zealand uses for most work visas and every Skilled Migrant Category application. It sits at ANZSCO skill level 5, in unit group 8911 Freight and Furniture Handlers.

ANZSCO code
891111
Skill level
5
Unit group
8911 Freight and Furniture Handlers
Green List
No

Freight Handler (Rail or Road): qualifications and experience required in New Zealand

ANZSCO places this occupation at skill level 5. For New Zealand, ANZSCO describes the qualifications and experience as:

NZQF Level 1 qualification, or compulsory secondary education. For some occupations a short period of on-the-job training may be required in addition to or instead of the formal qualification. In some instances no formal qualification or on-the-job training may be required.

Under the National Occupation List, code 891111 is "Freight Handler (Rail or Road)" at NOL skill level 5: NZQCF Level 1 qualification, or compulsory secondary education (NZQCF Level 1/NOL Skill Level 5).

A skill level describes the occupation, not you. Immigration New Zealand matches a job to the single closest occupation, and the skill level comes from that occupation; more experience does not move an occupation to a higher level.

What does a freight handler (rail or road) do?

Loads and unloads freight trucks, containers and rail cars.

Tasks for unit group 8911 Freight and Furniture Handlers include:

  • Labelling goods with customers' details and destinations
  • Loading goods into trucks, containers and rail wagons, and securing loads
  • Assisting to tie down loads and cover them with tarpaulins
  • Guiding truck drivers into loading bays and through confined spaces
  • Performing clerical functions to record and check cargo on arrival, storage and despatch
  • Opening and closing hatches and securing cargo to prevent shifting during voyages
  • Transferring loads using moving equipment and directing equipment operations using communication systems
  • Stacking cargo on pallets, trays, flats and slings to facilitate transfer to and from ships

Other job titles under ANZSCO 891111

Alternative titles and specialisations from ANZSCO, and job titles Stats NZ lists under the same code:

  • Freight Loader
  • Baggage Handler Freight
  • Freight Handler Offsider
  • Leading Freight Hand
  • Railway Employee Rail Freight
  • Yard Attendant
  • Yard Cleanup Man
  • Yardman
  • Yardperson

What skill level 5 means for New Zealand visas

Visa rule For this occupation More
Accredited Employer Work Visa: longest visa Up to 3 years for skill level 4 and 5 roles. AEWV guide
AEWV: evidence of English Required for skill level 4 and 5 roles, with limited exemptions. AEWV guide
Supporting a partner's visa A higher wage threshold applies to skill level 4 and 5 roles, with exceptions for some care, transport and Green List roles. Partner of a Worker
Skilled Migrant Category: Skilled Work Experience pathway Not available: skill level 4 and 5 occupations are excluded. Skilled Work Experience pathway
SMC red and amber lists Not on either list. INZ's lists
SMC Trades and Technician pathway Not on INZ's list of eligible occupations. INZ's list
Green List No Green List role is listed under this code. INZ's Green List

Rules as published by Immigration New Zealand. Lists synced 31 October 2026. Each visa has further requirements beyond skill level, including pay and work experience.

National Occupation List occupations for ANZSCO 891111

Stats NZ's National Occupation List is gradually replacing ANZSCO. These NOL occupations map to ANZSCO 891111. Immigration New Zealand accepts a NOL code only for an AEWV or job check, and only for occupations on its published list; for any other visa, use the ANZSCO code.

NOL code NOL occupation NOL skill level INZ accepts for an AEWV
891111 Freight Handler (Rail or Road) 5 Not yet

More about this job in New Zealand

Stats NZ links this occupation to Tahatū, the government careers website, which has more about the work in New Zealand, including pay: Freight handler and stevedore .

Not sure this is your occupation?

Picking the right occupation decides the skill level, and with it the visa rules above. Talk it through with us: we will listen to your situation and match you with the right IAA-licensed adviser. You can also check your pay and work experience against the residence wage rules with our calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Freight Handler (Rail or Road)?

Freight Handler (Rail or Road) is ANZSCO 1.3 occupation 891111, in unit group 8911 Freight and Furniture Handlers. Immigration New Zealand uses ANZSCO 1.3 for most work visa applications and all Skilled Migrant Category applications.

What skill level is Freight Handler (Rail or Road)?

ANZSCO skill level 5, where 1 is the most skilled and 5 the least. NZQF Level 1 qualification, or compulsory secondary education. For some occupations a short period of on-the-job training may be required in addition to or instead of the formal qualification. In some instances no formal qualification or on-the-job training may be required.

Is Freight Handler (Rail or Road) on the Green List?

No Green List role is listed under ANZSCO 891111 on Immigration New Zealand's Green List as at 31 October 2026.

Sources: ANZSCO version 1.3, Australian Bureau of Statistics, CC BY 4.0, synced 31 October 2026; National Occupation List V3.0.0, Stats NZ, CC BY 4.0, synced 1 November 2026; Immigration New Zealand occupation lists, synced 31 October 2026. This page reproduces published classifications and Immigration New Zealand's lists. It is general information, not immigration advice. ProVisas is a licensed New Zealand immigration advisory firm (IAA Licence 201301110).