- New Zealand’s Green List identifies occupations in high demand to address national skill shortages, providing a pathway for skilled migrants to gain residency.
- Tier 1 Green List occupations in New Zealand offer immediate residence eligibility upon securing an Accredited Employer job offer.
- Orthopaedic Surgeons earn the highest salaries on the Green List at NZD 250,000-400,000 annually (₹128L-205L).
- Understanding the New Zealand's Green List for International Students
- Top Job Roles & Salaries in New Zealand: Green List Tier 1
- Top Job Roles & Salaries in New Zealand: Green List Tier 2
- Cost of Living in New Zealand
- Post-Study Work Visa in New Zealand
- Essential Visa Document Checklist for Accredited Employer Work Visa in New Zealand
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What if a country offered stunning landscapes, work-life balance, and a labour market actively seeking international professionals? New Zealand hosts over 221,000 Indian immigrants, with 86% of Indian students rating their overall experience positively according to the 2024 International Student Experience Survey.
The nation’s strategic location in the Asia-Pacific region, coupled with its English-speaking environment, makes it an increasingly attractive destination for career-minded professionals seeking opportunities down under.
Understanding the New Zealand's Green List for International Students
The Green List represents New Zealand’s commitment to attracting global talent in critical shortage areas. It identifies skilled occupations where the country has an urgent need for workers to fill local shortages, and it provides pathways for qualified candidates to apply for residence visas.
- The list is split into Tier 1 (such as healthcare and IT) and Tier 2 (technicians and some teaching roles), with Tier 1 offering a “Straight to Residence” pathway and Tier 2 offering a “Work to Residence” pathway.
- The Green List focuses specifically on healthcare, engineering, ICT, education, and skilled trades where domestic talent cannot meet demand.
Top Job Roles & Salaries in New Zealand: Green List Tier 1
Tier 1 roles offer the fastest pathway to New Zealand residence. You can apply for residence immediately upon securing a job offer from an Accredited Employer, without needing to work in New Zealand first. Below are the top jobs in New Zealand for Indians across key sectors.
Healthcare & Medical Roles – Tier 1
Healthcare represents New Zealand’s most critical shortage area, with nearly all core medical professions classified as Tier 1 for immediate residence pathways.
| Job Title | Annual Salary Range (NZD) | Annual Salary Range (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner | NZD 150,000 - 250,000 | ₹77L - 128L |
| Medical Specialist | NZD 200,000 - 350,000 | ₹103L - 180L |
| Clinical Psychologist | NZD 75,000 - 120,000 | ₹39L - 62L |
| Nurse Practitioner | NZD 135,000 - 155,000 | ₹69L - 80L |
| Orthopaedic Surgeon | NZD 250,000 - 400,000 | ₹128L - 205L |
Engineering Roles – Tier 1
New Zealand’s infrastructure development and renewable energy targets drive persistent demand for engineers. Most engineering roles on the Green List are classified as Tier 1, meaning qualified engineers with job offers can apply directly for residence.
| Job Title | Annual Salary Range (NZD) | Annual Salary Range (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | NZD 80,000 - 120,000 | ₹41L - 62L |
| Senior Civil Engineer | NZD 110,000 - 140,000 | ₹57L - 72L |
| Mechanical Engineer | NZD 70,000 - 110,000 | ₹36L - 57L |
| Electrical Engineer | NZD 75,000 - 115,000 | ₹39L - 59L |
| Environmental Engineer | NZD 70,000 - 105,000 | ₹36L - 54L |
| Chemical Engineer | NZD 75,000 - 125,000 | ₹39L - 64L |
Information Technology Roles – Tier 1
New Zealand’s technology sector experiences persistent talent shortages despite hosting numerous tech companies. Tier 1 IT roles offer immediate residence pathways for specialists in software development, cybersecurity, and database management.
| Job Title | Annual Salary Range (NZD) | Annual Salary Range (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | NZD 95,000 - 130,000 | ₹49L - 67L |
| Senior Software Engineer | NZD 130,000 - 160,000 | ₹67L - 82L |
| ICT Security Specialist | NZD 95,000 - 145,000 | ₹49L - 75L |
| Database Administrator | NZD 85,000 - 130,000 | ₹44L - 67L |
| ICT Systems Analyst | NZD 80,000 - 125,000 | ₹41L - 64L |
| Telecommunications Network Engineer | NZD 85,000 - 130,000 | ₹44L - 67L |
Education Roles – Tier 1
Primary and secondary teaching roles offer Straight to Residence pathways, recognising critical workforce needs across New Zealand schools. The country particularly needs educators in mathematics, sciences, and specialist subjects.
| Job Title | Annual Salary Range (NZD) | Annual Salary Range (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | NZD 60,000 - 90,000 | ₹31L - 46L |
| Primary School Teacher | NZD 55,000 - 80,000 | ₹28L - 41L |
Construction Management – Tier 1
Senior construction professionals including project managers and quantity surveyors qualify for immediate residence pathways. These roles oversee major infrastructure and housing projects addressing New Zealand’s development needs.
| Job Title | Annual Salary Range (NZD) | Annual Salary Range (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Project Manager | NZD 95,000 - 145,000 | ₹49L - 75L |
| Quantity Surveyor | NZD 75,000 - 125,000 | ₹39L - 64L |
Top Job Roles & Salaries in New Zealand: Green List Tier 2
Tier 2 roles require you to work in New Zealand for 24 months (2 years) before becoming eligible to apply for residence. You’ll need a Work to Residence visa and employment with an Accredited Employer. After completing two years in your Tier 2 occupation, you can then apply for residence.
| Job Title | Annual Salary Range (NZD) | Annual Salary Range (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Teacher | NZD 50,000 - 70,000 | ₹26L - 36L |
| Special Needs Teacher | NZD 58,000 - 85,000 | ₹30L - 44L |
| Telecommunications Technician | NZD 55,000 - 80,000 | ₹28L - 41L |
| Corrections Officer | NZD 55,000 - 72,000 | ₹28L - 37L |
| Enrolled Nurse | NZD 50,000 - 70,000 | ₹26L - 36L |
Cost of Living in New Zealand
Indian students may discover that the cost of living in New Zealand fluctuates based on their region, lifestyle, and the type of school they attend. Students are recommended to allocate funds for accommodations, food shopping, transportation, and leisure activities.
To make smarter financial decisions, you can use our Cost of Living Calculator to estimate your monthly and yearly budget based on your target city and lifestyle preferences.
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | NZ$400–600/week (₹20,532–30,798/week) |
| Food | NZ$200–300/week (₹10,266–15,399/week) |
| Insurance | NZ$600–1,000/year (₹30,798–51,330/year) |
| Transportation | NZ$100–150/week (₹5,133–7,700/week) |
| Utilities & Internet | NZ$50–80/week (₹2,567–4,106/week) |
| Personal & Entertainment | NZ$150–250/week (₹7,700–12,833/week) |
| Total | NZ$4,000–5,000/month (₹2–2.5L /month) |
Post-Study Work Visa in New Zealand
International students graduating in New Zealand can leverage the Post-Study Work Visa to extend their stay and gain valuable work experience there. This visa allows graduates to live and work in New Zealand for up to three years after completing their studies. Here is the eligibility criteria for it:
- Master’s degree graduates (Level 9, typically 1–2 years): Eligible for up to 3-year open post-study work visa, can work for any employer in NZ.
- Requirements: Qualification must be Level 7+ on the NZQF; must have studied in NZ for at least 30 weeks for a master’s degree.
Essential Visa Document Checklist for Accredited Employer Work Visa in New Zealand
This visa lets you work in New Zealand for an accredited employer who has offered you at least 30 hours work a week. Here’s a list of essential documents you’ll need to pick for your New Zealand work visa application:
To apply you must:
- have a job offer of full-time work from an accredited employer
- meet work experience and/or qualification requirements depending on your job
- meet other requirements depending on the skill level required for your job
- have spent the required time outside New Zealand, after staying for the maximum time allowed, if applying for another Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
- show you can speak and understand English, if your job is on the ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 list and not exempt
- Medical certificates as required
For more details you can refer to the official immigration website of NZ.
Conclusion
New Zealand’s Green List features in-demand occupations with salaries ranging from NZD 50,000-400,000 (₹26L-205L), offering both immediate residence pathways (Tier 1) and 2-year work-to-residence routes (Tier 2) across healthcare, engineering, IT, and education sectors. Students are advised to plan their accommodation near tech/industrial hubs to increase networking chances and access industry events.
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FAQs
What is New Zealand's Green List?
New Zealand’s Green List identifies skilled occupations in critical shortage areas and provides direct pathways to residence visas for international professionals in healthcare, engineering, ICT, education, and skilled trades.
What's the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 job opportunities in New Zealand for India?
Tier 1 offers immediate residence eligibility upon securing a job offer, while Tier 2 requires you to work for 24 months before applying for residence.
Which occupation on the Green List pay the highest salary?
Orthopaedic Surgeons top the list earning NZD 250,000-400,000 (₹128L-205L) annually.
What's the minimum salary requirement for Green List jobs?
The median wage is NZD $33.56/hour for most roles, though specific occupations like ICT Managers and Software Engineers require a minimum of NZD $120,000 annually.
Do I need work experience before applying for Green List jobs?
No prior work experience is required for Tier 1 roles; however, for Tier 2, you need 24 months of work experience in New Zealand after employment to qualify for residence.
Can international students apply for Green List jobs after graduation?
Yes, international graduates can apply for a Post-Study Work visa to gain work experience in Green List occupations, which then provides a pathway to Permanent Residency.
How much are monthly living expenses in New Zealand?
A single person can expect monthly expenses of approximately NZD 4,000-5,000 (₹2-2.5L) in New Zealand.
Which city pays the highest salaries for Green List workers?
Auckland offers the highest salaries at 10-15% above the national average, though regional cities like Christchurch provide comparable opportunities with 30-40% lower living costs.
What are the tax rates on Green List salaries?
In New Zealand, personal income tax rates are progressive, starting at 10.5% for income up to NZD 14,000 and reaching 39% for income over NZD 180,000 for the current tax year.
Can you live comfortably on Green List salaries?
Yes, entry-level positions at NZD 50,000 (₹26L) cover basic expenses comfortably, while mid-level positions at NZD 95,000-130,000 (₹49L-67L) allow for savings and a quality lifestyle with excellent work-life balance.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
