National Occupation List occupation
Contract Milker is occupation 121327 on the National Occupation List (NOL) V3.0, Stats NZ's New Zealand occupation classification, at NOL skill level 1. It has no ANZSCO 1.3 code of its own: Stats NZ maps it to ANZSCO 121313 Dairy Cattle Farmer.
Stats NZ describes the requirement for NOL skill level 1 as:
Bachelor degree or higher qualification, or at least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (NZQCF Level 7-10/NOL Skill Level 1).
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.
A contract milker (CM) is a self-employed farmer, managing the property and paid on a negotiated price per kilogram of milksolids (kgMS) produced. A contract milker will provide the labour, and pay for shed costs, electricity, vehicles, fuel and transport. They also pay their own administrative, ACC and insurance costs.
Immigration New Zealand accepts only the NOL occupations on its published list, and only for an AEWV or job check. Contract Milker is not on that list as at 31 October 2026, so every visa currently uses the equivalent ANZSCO occupation and its skill level. INZ's NOL list.
| 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 |
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 links this occupation to Tahatū, the government careers website, which has more about the work in New Zealand, including pay: Sharemilker .
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.
Contract Milker is occupation 121327 on Stats NZ's National Occupation List. Its ANZSCO 1.3 equivalent is 121313 Dairy Cattle Farmer.
NOL skill level 1, where 1 is the most skilled and 5 the least. Bachelor degree or higher qualification, or at least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (NZQCF Level 7-10/NOL Skill Level 1).
Not yet. Immigration New Zealand accepts only the NOL occupations on its published list for an AEWV or job check, and Contract Milker is not on it as at 31 October 2026. Use the equivalent ANZSCO occupation code instead.
Browse the National Occupation List or the ANZSCO code list.
Sources: 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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