National Occupation List occupation
Silviculture Operator is occupation 841317 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 841311 Forestry Worker.
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.
NB: Whilst the formal qualification currently available for this occupation is at NZQCF Level 3, the totality of the formal qualification combined with the necessary unit standards, and three years of relevant work experience, as detailed below, places this occupation at NOL Skill Level 3.
NZ Certificate in Forest Operations-Silviculture L3, with one or more strands of; planting, pruning, thinning to waste (over and under 200mm diameter) mechanised thinning; Unit 6400 Manage first aid; Unit 17459 and/or 31292-31293 Safe handling of agrichemicals; Unit 24557 Operate Light Utility Vehicles (LUV); Unit 28559 Carry out safe behaviour observations (SBOs); Units 3285, 3286, 3287, 3270, 21417, 20386, 4573 (use RT) Vegetation firefighting, to Pump Operator level. Drivers licence, Class 1 and a minimum of three years practical experience in the industry.
High production and quality performance in several practical skill areas - planting, release spraying, pruning and thinning.
Planning silviculture operations using job prescription and maps, with intent to confirm work requirements and lead other workers.
Mix and use agrichemicals, apply with various applicators, store and dispose of agrichemicals according to regulations and best practice.
Lead tailgate and health and safety meetings as required by crew management.\!
Develop skills in quality management and plotting to determine work performance against standards and job prescriptions.
Mentor new workers.
Develop vegetation firefighting skills and qualifications, to be available on standby and for wild fire callouts in fire season.
Use LUVs and Quad bikes to deliver materials, tree stocks and workers to operational sites.
Carry out safe behaviour observations (SBOs) to verify skills and safety performance of other crew members.
Provide leadership and some supervision of others.
Use a range of equipment including chainsaws, loppers, ladders, planting spade and frames, slashers, scrub bars, knapsack sprayers, poison applicators, fire pumps, hoses and waterway equipment.-Transport workers to and from work sites as required by employer and in accordance with their Driver Licence.
A skilled Silviculture Operator working in Mechanised thinning will operate a wheeled or tracked machine within forest stands, to thin trees to waste and/or extract for production.
Immigration New Zealand accepts Silviculture Operator (841317) 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 | 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: Forest manager .
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.
Silviculture Operator is occupation 841317 on Stats NZ's National Occupation List. Its ANZSCO 1.3 equivalent is 841311 Forestry Worker.
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 Silviculture Operator (841317) 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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