ANZSCO 1.3 occupation
Waste Water or Water Plant Operator is occupation 712921 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 7129 Other Stationary Plant Operators.
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.
ANZSCO gives this occupation a different skill level in each country: 4 in Australia and 3 in New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand uses the New Zealand level, so Australian lists and sites that show level 4 do not apply to a New Zealand visa.
Under the National Occupation List, code 712921 is "Waste Water or Water Plant Operator" 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.
Operates plant to store, distribute and treat water including purifying water for human consumption and removing wastes from sewage.
Alternative titles and specialisations from ANZSCO, and job titles Stats NZ lists under the same code:
| 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 | Listed by INZ as an eligible occupation. | Trades and Technician guide |
| 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.
Stats NZ's National Occupation List is gradually replacing ANZSCO. These NOL occupations map to ANZSCO 712921. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 712921 | Waste Water or Water Plant Operator | 3 | Not yet |
Stats NZ links this occupation to Tahatū, the government careers website, which has more about the work in New Zealand, including pay: Water and wastewater treatment plant operator .
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.
Waste Water or Water Plant Operator is ANZSCO 1.3 occupation 712921, in unit group 7129 Other Stationary Plant Operators. Immigration New Zealand uses ANZSCO 1.3 for most work visa applications and all Skilled Migrant Category applications.
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.
No Green List role is listed under ANZSCO 712921 on Immigration New Zealand's Green List as at 31 October 2026.
Browse every skill level 3 occupation or the full ANZSCO code list.
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).
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