ANZSCO 1.3 occupation

Judge: ANZSCO code 271211

Judge is occupation 271211 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 1, in unit group 2712 Judicial and Other Legal Professionals.

ANZSCO code
271211
Skill level
1
Unit group
2712 Judicial and Other Legal Professionals
Green List
No

Judge: qualifications and experience required in New Zealand

ANZSCO places this occupation at skill level 1. For New Zealand, ANZSCO describes the qualifications and experience as:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification and at least five years of relevant experience. Judges require appointment by the government or crown and must have been a Magistrate or an experienced legal practitioner of at least seven years standing. Magistrates must have been a legal practitioner of at least five years standing. Registration or licensing may be required.

Under the National Occupation List, code 271211 is "Judge" at NOL skill level 1: Bachelor degree or higher qualification, or at least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (NZQCF Level 7-10/NOL Skill Level 1).

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 judge do?

Presides over civil and criminal proceedings in a court of law.

Tasks for unit group 2712 Judicial and Other Legal Professionals include:

  • Researching statutes and previous court decisions relevant to cases
  • Conducting trials and hearings
  • Calling and questioning witnesses
  • Hearing and evaluating arguments and evidence in civil and criminal summary matters
  • Deciding penalties and sentences within statutory limits, such as fines, bonds and detention, awarding damages in civil matters, and issuing court orders
  • Exercising arbitral powers if resolution is not achieved or seems improbable through conciliation
  • Preparing settlement memoranda and obtaining signatures of parties
  • Advising government of legal, constitutional and parliamentary matters and drafting bills and attending committee meetings during consideration of bills
  • Preparing advice on matters associated with intellectual property rights
  • Advising clients and agents on legal and technical matters

Other job titles under ANZSCO 271211

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

  • District Court Judge
  • Family Court Justice
  • High Court Justice
  • Supreme Court Judge
  • Youth Court Judge
  • Chief District Court Judge
  • Chief Justice
  • Commissioner Environment Court
  • Coroner
  • Court of Appeal Judge
  • Disputes Tribunal Referee
  • High Court Judge
  • President Court of Appeal
  • Principal Disputes Referee
  • Tenancy Tribunal Adjudicator
  • Magistrate

What skill level 1 means for New Zealand visas

Visa rule For this occupation More
Accredited Employer Work Visa: longest visa Up to 5 years for skill level 1 to 3 roles. AEWV guide
AEWV: evidence of English Not required for skill level 1 and 2 roles. AEWV guide
Supporting a partner's visa The skill level 1 to 3 wage threshold applies. Partner of a Worker
Skilled Migrant Category: Skilled Work Experience pathway Open to skill level 1 to 3 occupations, with work experience and pay requirements. 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 271211

Stats NZ's National Occupation List is gradually replacing ANZSCO. These NOL occupations map to ANZSCO 271211. 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
271211 Judge 1 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: Judge .

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 Judge?

Judge is ANZSCO 1.3 occupation 271211, in unit group 2712 Judicial and Other Legal Professionals. Immigration New Zealand uses ANZSCO 1.3 for most work visa applications and all Skilled Migrant Category applications.

What skill level is Judge?

ANZSCO skill level 1, where 1 is the most skilled and 5 the least. Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification and at least five years of relevant experience. Judges require appointment by the government or crown and must have been a Magistrate or an experienced legal practitioner of at least seven years standing. Magistrates must have been a legal practitioner of at least five years standing. Registration or licensing may be required.

Is Judge on the Green List?

No Green List role is listed under ANZSCO 271211 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).