The Ministry of Social Development is removing the job seeker undersupply list from 22 November 2021.

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Kia Ora, 

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is removing the job seeker undersupply list with effect from 22 November 2021. As previously announced, the oversupply list was removed effective from 1 October 2021. 

These lists were introduced in October 2020 as a temporary response to COVID-19, to streamline MSD’s advice to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) on the availability of New Zealand job seekers for vacancies. 

This formed part of the assessment of the Labour Market Test (LMT) for jobs paying below the median wage for Essential Skills work visa applications. 

Occupations that appeared on the oversupply list showed that there were New Zealand jobseekers available for that role. Occupations on the undersupply list showed that there were no New Zealand jobseekers available. 

What this change means

The removal of the undersupply list means that employers will need to engage with MSD to determine whether there are suitable or trainable New Zealand jobseekers available to fill vacancies for roles that pay below the median wage, where an LMT is required. 

As an employer, you must: 

  • Begin listing vacancies with MSD for roles that were previously on the undersupply list (you will benefit from a recently streamlined process). 
  • Engage with MSD and make genuine attempts to attract and recruit New Zealanders before a job is offered to a migrant worker.  

INZ will also be required to take into consideration the advice from MSD (Work and Income), provided in the form of a Skills Match Report (SMR) about the availability of New Zealanders for roles when assessing Essential Skills work visa applications for roles paying below the median wage. 

Hiring migrant workers | Work and Income

Occupations on INZ's Skills Shortage Lists (see below), and applicants remaining in their current full-time employment, and not changing their role, employer or region of work, will not need an LMT. 

Skill Shortage List Checker | Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
New Zealand Government