National Occupation List occupation
Skydiving Instructor (Solo) is occupation 452221 on the National Occupation List (NOL) V3.0, Stats NZ's New Zealand occupation classification, at NOL skill level 2. It has no ANZSCO 1.3 code of its own: Stats NZ maps it to ANZSCO 452299 Outdoor Adventure Guides nec.
Stats NZ describes the requirement for NOL skill level 2 as:
NZQCF Level Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (NZQCF Level 5-6/NOL Skill Level 2).
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.
For further information, refer: https://www.nzpia.co.nz/
Skydiving Instructors are responsible for safely guiding customers through a solo skydive experience. This includes pre-jump briefings, harnessing, aircraft exit, freefall, parachute deployment, canopy control, and landing. Instruction may be provided in-air by flying alongside students.
Provides instruction to solo and new skydivers including freefall control, and use of the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) method, altitude and spatial awareness, and emergency procedures, such that they become fully independent skydivers.
Instructors must hold current certifications, demonstrate excellent safety awareness, and provide a professional, calm, and enjoyable experience for each customer.
Instructors must hold a current rating issued by an approved organisation such as:
New Zealand Parachute Industry Association (NZPIA) \u2013 the primary regulatory body in NZ, or Foreign ratings such as from the Australian Parachute Federation (APF) or United States Parachute Association (USPA) may be accepted under recognition of prior learning or experience but require NZPIA assessment and approval.
Job titles Stats NZ lists under this occupation:
Immigration New Zealand accepts Skydiving Instructor (Solo) (452221) for an Accredited Employer Work Visa or job check from 9 March 2026, at NOL skill level 2. 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 | 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: Recreation worker supervisor .
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.
Skydiving Instructor (Solo) is occupation 452221 on Stats NZ's National Occupation List. Its ANZSCO 1.3 equivalent is 452299 Outdoor Adventure Guides nec.
NOL skill level 2, where 1 is the most skilled and 5 the least. NZQCF Level Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (NZQCF Level 5-6/NOL Skill Level 2).
Yes, for an Accredited Employer Work Visa or job check: Immigration New Zealand accepts Skydiving Instructor (Solo) (452221) from 9 March 2026. 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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