National Occupation List occupation
Ice Cream (Process Control) Machine Operator is occupation 831123 on the National Occupation List (NOL) V3.0, Stats NZ's New Zealand occupation classification, at NOL skill level 3. It has no ANZSCO 1.3 code of its own: Stats NZ maps it to ANZSCO 831114 Dairy Products Maker.
Stats NZ describes the requirement for NOL skill level 3 as:
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.
Process Control (Mix)
\u2022 Operate multi-function process control machinery through control panels, computer terminals or other control systems to grind, extract, mix, blend, cook or otherwise process ice cream products and to bag, box or otherwise package ice-cream products
\u2022 Observe gauges, computer printouts and video monitors to verify specified processing conditions and make adjustments to process variables such as cooking times, ingredient inputs, flow rates and temperature settings
\u2022 Maintain shift log of production and other data
Machine Operating (Mix & Production)
\u2022 Operates ice cream production equipment and machines to deliver completion of the production plan, adhering to quality standards and maximising cost effectiveness, optimal running and equipment efficiency
\u2022 Fixes attachments to ice cream production machines, sets controls and loads material to be processed
\u2022 Ensures equipment and machines are functioning correctly and observes operation and adjusts controls to regulate temperature, pressure, intake of raw materials and speed
\u2022 Samples outputs for defects, variations and adjust machine settings accordingly by following established procedures
\u2022 Record production information such as weight, size, date and type of products packaged
\u2022 Ensures the ice cream production line is operated in a safe manner to prevent injury or equipment damage
\u2022 Supervise all operations at the workstation including responsibilities of the Wrapper Operators and hand packers to ensure smooth operation of line
\u2022 Checks product specification to ensured finished product is within the specification target range for both weight and volume, unloads and stores final product, and cleans and sanitises all equipment, pipework and pumps after use.
\u2022 Clean, lubricate and perform minor repairs and maintenance on machinery, and maintain records
\u2022 Involved in training new machine operators on specific equipment or procedures
\u2022 Assist in tracking and managing materials used in the production process
Note:
The role of Machine Operator and Process Control Operator (intertwined as the same description) is used for staff operating in the Mix Department and in the Factory/Production. An operator can transition from the mix department to the factory and vice-versa as ice cream training is covered by all staff regarding processing and finished products.
Immigration New Zealand accepts Ice Cream (Process Control) Machine Operator (831123) for an Accredited Employer Work Visa or job check from 9 March 2026, at NOL skill level 3. For any other visa, including the Skilled Migrant Category, INZ requires the equivalent ANZSCO occupation code instead, so the rows below use the ANZSCO level for those visas. 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 | 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 | Not available: skill level 4 and 5 occupations are excluded. | 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: Dairy processing 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.
Ice Cream (Process Control) Machine Operator is occupation 831123 on Stats NZ's National Occupation List. Its ANZSCO 1.3 equivalent is 831114 Dairy Products Maker.
NOL skill level 3, where 1 is the most skilled and 5 the least. 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).
Yes, for an Accredited Employer Work Visa or job check: Immigration New Zealand accepts Ice Cream (Process Control) Machine Operator (831123) from 9 March 2026. For any other visa, such as the Skilled Migrant Category, INZ requires the equivalent ANZSCO occupation code instead.
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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