ANZSCO 1.3 occupation

Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker: ANZSCO code 839412

Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker is occupation 839412 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 8394 Timber and Wood Process Workers.

ANZSCO code: 839412
Skill level: 4 New Zealand level (Australia: 5)
Unit group: 8394 Timber and Wood Process Workers
Green List: No

Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker: 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, or at least one year of relevant experience. For some occupations a short period of on-the-job training may be required in addition to or instead of the formal qualification.

ANZSCO gives this occupation a different skill level in each country: 5 in Australia and 4 in New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand uses the New Zealand level, so Australian lists and sites that show level 5 do not apply to a New Zealand visa.

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 sawmill or timber yard worker do?

Performs routine tasks in a sawmill or timber yard such as sorting and stacking timber, assisting timber machinists, assembling orders and racking offcuts.

Tasks for unit group 8394 Timber and Wood Process Workers include:

Rolling logs from trucks and conveyors to log decks, saw carriages and stacking bays
Placing logs and wood billets onto conveyors and lathes for processing into chips, veneers and pulp
Sorting and stacking timber during milling
Placing timber for processing by machines and unloading cut timber from tail end of machines
Assisting with setting up and operating plant and ancillary equipment used in the manufacture of sheets and boards
Transporting processed wood products, such as plywood, chipboard sheets and panels, to work areas
Clearing blockages in machines
Assisting with measuring and cutting materials
Packing and loading finished products for transportation
Cleaning work areas, tools and equipment

Other job titles under ANZSCO 839412

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

Timber Mill Worker
Wood Processing Worker
Dry Mill Worker
Tailer-out

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 839412

Stats NZ's National Occupation List is gradually replacing ANZSCO. These NOL occupations map to ANZSCO 839412. 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
711313	Sawmilling Operator	3	Not yet
711315	Production Supervisor, Paper, Pulp and Wood Processing	3	From 3 November 2025

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 Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker?

Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker is ANZSCO 1.3 occupation 839412, in unit group 8394 Timber and Wood Process Workers. Immigration New Zealand uses ANZSCO 1.3 for most work visa applications and all Skilled Migrant Category applications.

What skill level is Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker?

ANZSCO skill level 4, where 1 is the most skilled and 5 the least. NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience. For some occupations a short period of on-the-job training may be required in addition to or instead of the formal qualification.

Is Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker on the Green List?

No Green List role is listed under ANZSCO 839412 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).