New Zealand Green List Diploma Courses: Your Ticket to a Career

Updated on 06 December, 2023

Shivangi Mishra

Shivangi Mishra

Sr. Content Editor

Looking to study in New Zealand but unsure where to start? Consider Green List Diploma Courses in New Zealand for a quality education and pathway to residency. It includes over 80 job roles across construction, healthcare, IT, engineering, agriculture, and many more. With a Green List New Zealand diploma, you can gain practical skills, work rights during and after study, and eligibility for post-study work visas.

What are Green List Diploma Courses in New Zealand

Green List diploma courses refer to qualifying diplomas listed on Immigration New Zealand's Skill Shortage List. They are vocational programs offered at polytechnics and institutes of technology. Green List diplomas are mostly at Level 4, 5, and 6, and Graduate Diploma at Level 7 on the NZ Qualifications Framework. The Green List courses provide two main pathways for residency.

Residency in New Zealand After Green List Diploma

Once you have completed a Green List diploma program in New Zealand, you are eligible to apply for a residency visa. There are two main types of residency visas available to Green List diploma holders- Straight-to-Residence Pathway and Work-to-Residence Pathway

Straight-to-Residence Pathway

The Straight to Residence Visa is the most straightforward option for Green List diploma holders. To be eligible for this visa, you must:

  • Have a job that is Tier 1 of the Green List.
  • Meet the qualifications and experience outlined for the role.
  • Full-time permanent role or minimum 30 hrs/week and 12-month contract
  • Be 55 years or younger.
  • Overall IELTS score of 6.5 or more, and dependent children must have an IELTS score of 5.0 or more. 

Work-to-Residence Pathway

The Work-to-Residence Pathway in New Zealand offers a straightforward path to permanent residency for green list diploma holders who gain work experience in eligible occupations. 

  • Job must be on Tier 2 of the Green List.
  • Meet the qualifications and experience outlined for the role.
  • Full-time permanent role or minimum 30 hrs/week and 12-month contract.
  • Be 55 years or younger.
  • English language, health and character requirements remain the same as above. 

Best Green List Diploma Courses in New Zealand

Green List diploma courses in New Zealand provide Indian students with quality education plus pathways to skilled work and migration. Some well-known Green List New Zealand courses are in construction, engineering, healthcare, and IT: Here is a look at the roles and universities offering related courses-

Industry

Role

University

Course Fee

Construction

Construction Project Manager

University of Canterbury

NZD 57,701

Surveyor

Unitec Institute of Technology

NZD 25000

Engineering

Civil Engineer

Waikato Institute of Technology

NZD 42,588-63,895

Electrical Engineer

Otago Polytechnic

NZD 18,112

Mechanical Engineer

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

NZD 28,000

Healthcare

Anaesthesist

University of Auckland

NZD 22,363

Cardiologist

University of Otago

NZD 37,527

Clinical Psychologist

Victoria University of Wellington

NZD 34,011

IT

Software Engineer

Auckland University of Technology

NZD 44,774

Telecommunications Technician

Otago University

NZD 43,000

*per university websites

Benefits of Green List Diploma Courses in New Zealand

Some advantages of pursuing a Green List diploma course in NZ include:

  • Gaining practical vocational skills at reputable polytechnics and institutes of technology in programs like IT, engineering, construction, healthcare, business, and hospitality.
  • Studying for 1-2 years and achieving a qualification at Level 4, 5, 6, or a Graduate Diploma at Level 7 on the NZ Qualifications Framework.
  • Becoming eligible for post-study work rights of 1-3 years after graduating, enabling you to work in your field and gain valuable experience in New Zealand.
  • Having a pathway to skilled migration and residency if your diploma relates to an occupation on the Long Term Skill Shortage List.
  • Opportunity to work part-time during studies, which helps to earn a little on the side. 

Eligibility Criteria for Green List Diploma Courses in New Zealand

The eligibility criteria differ according to the course one chooses. The criteria covering almost all specializations are:

  • A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7. The focus area would change depending on the course, such as highway engineering, civil engineering, farm management etc.
  • Hold a specialty bachelor’s degree in one of the subjects. The subject will differ according to specialty, such as science, mathematics, or technology.
  • A qualification at NZQF Level 7 with a letter of Engineering NZ certifying that their learning meets the benchmark level.
  • General or Academic IELTS score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 5.5. For teaching specializations, an IELTS 7.0 band score is required in all bands.

Admission Process Green List Diploma Courses in New Zealand

Here is the general outline of the admission process for these courses in New Zealand for international students:

  • Choose Preferred Institution: Decide on your preferred field of study and research the institutions offering those programs. Compare factors like tuition fees, admission criteria, rankings, and campus culture.
  • Gather Important Documents: This includes academic transcripts, English test scores like IELTS or TOEFL, letters of recommendation, your resume, and copies of essential IDs and certificates.
  • Start Application: After finalizing your application essay, double-check that you've met all requirements before submitting it to your chosen university.

New Zealand Student Visa: Student Visa Process for New Zealand

Documents Required for Green List Diploma Courses in New Zealand

When applying for a Green List diploma program, you will need to submit certain documents to satisfy academic and English language requirements. Key documents include:

  • Academic Transcripts: Certified copies of mark sheets and certificates for all previous studies. 
  • English Test Scores: IELTS or TOEFL results to show you meet the minimum English level set by the institution, usually IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.
  • Passport: Certified copies of passport pages with your photo, personal details, and expiry date. The passport should be valid for the entire study duration. 
  • Letter of Recommendations: 2 LORs from your professors or teachers commenting on your skills.
  • Statement of Purpose: A short essay of 500 to 1000 words outlining your motivations, interests and goals for studying in New Zealand.
  • Updated CV: An updated resume or CV summarizing your educational and professional background is a must.
  • Health Certificate: Some medical tests that prove good health might be necessary.

Average Salary After Green List Diploma Courses in New Zealand

The students are paid according to New Zealand’s median wage scheme. This scheme gets updated each year, and according to the latest update in 2023, the wage rate per hour for some jobs is:

Job Role

Wage Rate per Hour

Percentage of Median Wage

IT, Electronics and Telecommunications

NZD 61.69 (INR 3046.58)

208%

Multimedia Specialist

NZD 48.94 (INR 2416.91)

165%

ANZSCO Skill Level 1 to 3
(e.g., Healthcare, Agriculture, Teacher)

NZD 29.66 (INR 1464.77)

100%

ANZSCO Skill Level 4 to 5

(e.g., Import-export clerk, Nursing Support worker, Aged or Disabled Carer)

NZD 44.49 (INR 2197.15)

150%

Highly paid roles to meet the high remuneration threshold

NZD 59.32 (INR 2929.53)

200%

Bottom Line

With a Green List New Zealand diploma, the possibilities are endless. Study at renowned institutions to harness the technical knowledge required to work in New Zealand. Work part-time during studies, then access generous post-study work rights in this safe, welcoming country.

Whether your interests lie in construction, IT, engineering, agriculture, or healthcare, you will benefit from practical learning. With the right qualification, you can opt for permanent residency in 3 years of study. Make this investment in a quality overseas education the smartest decision of your life. 

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FAQs

Can I get a work permit after my diploma in New Zealand?

Yes, international students who complete an eligible diploma program in New Zealand can obtain a post-study work visa for 1-3 years, depending on the diploma level and length. This allows them to gain practical work experience in jobs related to their field of study after graduating.

Is it easy to get permanent residency in New Zealand?

It is relatively easy to get permanent residency in New Zealand after a green list diploma, as the Green List is a priority pathway for skilled workers to immigrate to New Zealand. If you have a green list diploma and a job offer from an accredited employer, you may be eligible for a Straight to Residence Visa. It allows you to apply for permanent residency immediately. 

Otherwise, you may be eligible for a Work to Residence Visa. It allows you to apply for permanent residency after two years of working in a Tier 2 green list role.

Shivangi Mishra

Sr. Content Editor

She is an experienced writer and journalist who has extensively covered the education sector in India and Abroad. Now helping Indian aspirants realise their foreign education dream by providing them with relevant content and information through upGrad Abroad. Amateur traveller, loves to read Architectural Digest!

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