ANZSCO 1.3 occupation

Retail Buyer: ANZSCO code 639211

Retail Buyer is occupation 639211 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 3, in unit group 6392 Retail and Wool Buyers.

ANZSCO code: 639211
Skill level: 3
Unit group: 6392 Retail and Wool Buyers
Green List: No

Retail Buyer: qualifications and experience required in New Zealand

ANZSCO places this occupation at skill level 3. For New Zealand, ANZSCO describes the qualifications and experience as:

NZQF Level 4 qualification. 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 639211 is "Retail Buyer" at NOL skill level 3: NZQCF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (NZQCF Level 4/NOL Skill Level 3).

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 retail buyer do?

Selects and buys goods for resale in a retail establishment.

Tasks for unit group 6392 Retail and Wool Buyers include:

Monitoring sales data and stock levels, and studying trade, manufacturers' and market information to keep informed of changing market conditions
Negotiating purchase, promotion and supply arrangements with suppliers
Designing and implementing pricing, marketing, promotional and display strategies
Liaising with management on long-term planning and sales promotions
Establishing working plans according to seasonal and budgetary requirements
Anticipating consumer trends and determining quantity, style and quality of goods to be purchased
Inspecting, comparing, selecting and valuing wool by determining colour, yield, micron and length
Inspecting and buying wool at auction, in wool brokers' stores and in farm sheds
Receiving samples from scoured wool exchanges
May visit freezing works to buy slipe wool

Other job titles under ANZSCO 639211

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

Merchandise Planner
Assistant Buyer
Book Buyer
Buyer General
Grocery Buyer
Produce Agent
Produce Buyer
Wholesale Buyer

What skill level 3 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	Required for skill level 3 roles from 1 June 2026, with limited exemptions.	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 639211

Stats NZ's National Occupation List is gradually replacing ANZSCO. These NOL occupations map to ANZSCO 639211. 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
639211	Retail Buyer	3	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: Wholesale and retail buyer .

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 Retail Buyer?

Retail Buyer is ANZSCO 1.3 occupation 639211, in unit group 6392 Retail and Wool Buyers. Immigration New Zealand uses ANZSCO 1.3 for most work visa applications and all Skilled Migrant Category applications.

What skill level is Retail Buyer?

ANZSCO skill level 3, where 1 is the most skilled and 5 the least. NZQF Level 4 qualification. 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 Retail Buyer on the Green List?

No Green List role is listed under ANZSCO 639211 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).