National Occupation List occupation
Joinery Practitioner - Generalist is occupation 394217 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 394213 Wood Machinist.
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.
The role of a Joinery practitioner is crucial in manufacturing and installing joinery fittings in various settings, including homes, businesses, and construction sites. This role involves technical expertise in reading plans, fabricating joinery items, coordinating with outsourced components, and ensuring on-time delivery and installation. Critical competencies include efficient fabrication, maintaining high craftsmanship standards, adhering to safety protocols, and effective communication with the production team. The Joinery practitioner plays a vital role in ensuring that joinery is manufactured to high standards, meeting specifications, and contributing to the overall success and quality of projects. The joinery crafts person must have understanding of manufacturing and industry standards and interpret specifications to ensure regulatory compliance is met.
Immigration New Zealand accepts Joinery Practitioner - Generalist (394217) for an Accredited Employer Work Visa or job check from 3 November 2025, 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 | 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: Woodworking machine 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.
Joinery Practitioner - Generalist is occupation 394217 on Stats NZ's National Occupation List. Its ANZSCO 1.3 equivalent is 394213 Wood Machinist.
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 Joinery Practitioner - Generalist (394217) from 3 November 2025. For any other visa, such as the Skilled Migrant Category, INZ requires 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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