ANZSCO 1.3 occupation

Payroll Clerk: ANZSCO code 551311

Payroll Clerk is occupation 551311 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 4, in unit group 5513 Payroll Clerks.

ANZSCO code: 551311
Skill level: 4
Unit group: 5513 Payroll Clerks
Green List: No

Payroll Clerk: qualifications and experience required in New Zealand

ANZSCO places this occupation at skill level 4. For New Zealand, ANZSCO describes the qualifications and experience as:

NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification. At least one year of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Under the National Occupation List, code 551311 is "Payroll Officer" at NOL skill level 4: NZQCF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (NZQCF Level 2-3/NOL Skill Level 4).

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 payroll clerk do?

Prepares payroll and related records for employee salaries and statutory record-keeping purposes.

Tasks for unit group 5513 Payroll Clerks include:

Creating files for new employees to record payroll data
Maintaining and updating files for existing employees to record information such as employee contact details, leave taken, overtime, promotions, transfers, tax deductions, health insurance payments and superannuation
Preparing payroll data from time sheets and other payroll and personnel records
Processing payment of wages and salaries
Issuing and recording adjustments to employees' pay
Interpreting industrial awards
Providing information to employees and managers about payroll matters such as tax issues, benefits and deductions
Finalising files and arrangements when employees retire, resign or transfer
May be involved in maintaining superannuation and other deduction and contribution records

Other job titles under ANZSCO 551311

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

Pay Clerk
Payroll Officer
Payroll Administration Clerk
Payroll Administration Officer
Payroll Administrator
Payroll Adviser
Payroll Analyst
Payroll Assistant
Payroll Consultant
Payroll Coordinator
Payroll Manager
Payroll Supervisor
Payroll Team Leader
Senior Payroll Officer
Wage Clerk
Wages Clerk

What skill level 4 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 551311

Stats NZ's National Occupation List is gradually replacing ANZSCO. These NOL occupations map to ANZSCO 551311. 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
551311	Payroll Officer	4	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: Payroll consultant , Payroll officer .

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.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Payroll Clerk?

Payroll Clerk is ANZSCO 1.3 occupation 551311, in unit group 5513 Payroll Clerks. Immigration New Zealand uses ANZSCO 1.3 for most work visa applications and all Skilled Migrant Category applications.

What skill level is Payroll Clerk?

ANZSCO skill level 4, where 1 is the most skilled and 5 the least. NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification. At least one year of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Is Payroll Clerk on the Green List?

No Green List role is listed under ANZSCO 551311 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).