ANZSCO 1.3 occupation

Pharmacy Technician: ANZSCO code 311215

Pharmacy Technician is occupation 311215 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 2, in unit group 3112 Medical Technicians.

ANZSCO code: 311215
Skill level: 2
Unit group: 3112 Medical Technicians
Green List: No

Pharmacy Technician: qualifications and experience required in New Zealand

ANZSCO places this occupation at skill level 2. For New Zealand, ANZSCO describes the qualifications and experience as:

NZQF Diploma. At least three years 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 311215 is "Pharmacy Technician" at NOL skill level 2: NZQCF Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (NZQCF Level 5-6/NOL Skill Level 2).

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 pharmacy technician do?

Fills and labels patients' prescriptions under the supervision of a Pharmacist. May record details of, place orders for, take stock of, and store medications and medical supplies and deliver them to patients.

Tasks for unit group 3112 Medical Technicians include:

Operating equipment used in diagnosing and monitoring disorders of the heart, kidneys, nervous system and hearing, and in anaesthesia
Undertaking and assisting with medical analytical procedures and assisting Anaesthetists and surgical teams
Recording the electrical activity of the heart, from which the heart rate is measured and pattern and rhythm interpreted
Taking, collecting and labelling blood, urine and other samples from patients
Preparing and staining slides and tissue sections for blood and histological examination
Performing diagnostic tests on tissues and body fluids and analysing the chemical constituents of blood, urine, faeces and tissues
Testing for diseases by looking for the presence of antibodies and the products of immune response in samples
Setting up, checking and maintaining operating theatres, anaesthetic workstations, life support machines and associated equipment
Referring prescriptions to Pharmacists and assisting in preparing medications

Other job titles under ANZSCO 311215

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

Dispensary Technician
Dispenser Pharmaceutical Retail
Hospital Dispensary Assistant
Hospital Pharmacy Assistant
Pharmacy Dispensing Technician

What skill level 2 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 311215

Stats NZ's National Occupation List is gradually replacing ANZSCO. These NOL occupations map to ANZSCO 311215. 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
311215	Pharmacy Technician	2	Not yet

Not sure this is your occupation?

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Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Pharmacy Technician?

Pharmacy Technician is ANZSCO 1.3 occupation 311215, in unit group 3112 Medical Technicians. Immigration New Zealand uses ANZSCO 1.3 for most work visa applications and all Skilled Migrant Category applications.

What skill level is Pharmacy Technician?

ANZSCO skill level 2, where 1 is the most skilled and 5 the least. NZQF Diploma. At least three years 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 Pharmacy Technician on the Green List?

No Green List role is listed under ANZSCO 311215 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).