📐
🔵 Green List Tier 2 — AEWV Eligible

Actuary
Immigration to New Zealand

Actuaries apply mathematical and statistical methods to assess financial risk in insurance, superannuation, and financial services. NZ has a small but highly specialised actuarial market with strong demand for qualified Fellows.

ANZSCO Code
224111
ANZSCO Skill Level
Level 1
Sector
Business
NZ Salary Range
NZ$95,000 – NZ$175,000
Visa Pathway
AEWV Eligible

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About This Occupation in New Zealand

🔵 AEWV Eligible — Skill Level 3

This is an ANZSCO Skill Level 3 occupation, qualifying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) with up to 5 years duration. After 2 years of NZ work experience you can apply for Skilled Migrant Category residence.

Actuaries in New Zealand model and quantify financial risks for insurance companies, banks, superannuation funds, and government agencies. They price insurance products, value liabilities, conduct stress tests, and advise on regulatory capital requirements. NZ's insurance sector (IAG, Suncorp, Tower, Partners Life), the Reserve Bank of NZ (RBNZ), and ACC are the major employers. The New Zealand Society of Actuaries (NZSA) and the Actuaries Institute (Australia/NZ joint body) govern the profession. New Zealand Fellowships are recognised internationally — FIAA (Australia), FIA (UK), FSA (North America) members can often transfer.

NZ Salary Range for Actuary

NZ$95,000 – NZ$175,000
Qualified Fellows (FIAA, FIA, FNZSA) in insurance, reinsurance, or investment management earn toward the top. Chief Actuaries and directors at large insurers or RBNZ can exceed NZ$175,000.

Salaries are based on NZ market data. Regional and rural positions may offer allowances, relocation support, and retention bonuses in addition to base salary.

Visa Pathways for Actuary

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

⏱ 3–5 months 💰 NZ$700
  • Job offer from an INZ-accredited employer
  • ANZSCO Skill Level 1 — 5-year visa
  • Meets NZ immigration median wage (NZ$35.00/hr)
  • No English test required
  • Actuarial degree and professional exam progress

Skilled Migrant Category (after 2 years)

⏱ 12–18 months 💰 NZ$4,050
  • 2 years NZ skilled work experience
  • SMC points threshold met
  • Actuarial qualification (Part-qualified or Fellow)
ANZSCO Skill Level 1 Skill Level 1 — Bachelor's degree or higher
What this means for AEWV applications:
Visa duration: Up to 5 years (Skill Level 1 is eligible for the 5-year AEWV maximum)
English evidence: Not required for Skill Level 1–3 occupations
Partner work visa: Available if earning ≥ NZ$28.00/hr (from March 2026)
Dependent children: Eligible if family income ≥ NZ$55,844/year

Source: Immigration NZ Operational Manual (WA3.16) — updated 9 March 2026

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or Economics (NZQCF Level 7)
  • Progress toward or completion of actuarial professional exams (FIAA, FIA, FSA, or CAS equivalent)
  • Fellowship qualification (FIAA, FIA, or FNZSA) required for senior/signing roles
  • 3+ years actuarial experience in insurance, superannuation, or financial services
  • Proficiency in R, Python, or actuarial modelling software (Prophet, MG-ALFA)

Registration / Licensing: No mandatory NZ licensing. Actuaries Institute (actuary.asn.au) governs Australian and NZ actuaries — FIAA is the recognised fellowship qualification in NZ. NZ Society of Actuaries (nzsa.org.nz) manages the FNZSA pathway for New Zealand-specific recognition.

How to Immigrate to New Zealand as a Actuary

1
Contact the Actuaries Institute (actuary.asn.au) to understand how your overseas exams transfer to FIAA pathway
2
Target NZ insurers (IAG, Suncorp, Tower, Partners Life), RBNZ, ACC, and actuarial consulting firms (Deloitte, PwC, Finity, Taylor Fry)
3
Part-qualified actuaries (with exam progress) are actively sought — don't wait for Fellowship before applying
4
Secure a job offer from an INZ-accredited employer (salary will typically exceed NZ$35.00/hr)
5
Apply for AEWV — 5-year visa, no English test required

Is Actuary on the NZ Green List? — FAQs

Can an Actuary get an AEWV in New Zealand?

Yes. Actuary (ANZSCO 224111) is ANZSCO Skill Level 1, qualifying for a 5-year AEWV. Actuarial roles pay well above the NZ$35.00/hr immigration median wage threshold. Part-qualified actuaries (with exam progress) are also in demand — you don't need to be a fully qualified Fellow to apply.

Is the FIAA (Australian) fellowship recognised in New Zealand?

Yes — the Actuaries Institute of Australia operates jointly for Australia and New Zealand, so FIAA is the relevant fellowship designation for NZ practice. FNZSA (Fellow of the NZ Society of Actuaries) is an additional NZ-specific recognition. FIA (UK) and FSA/CAS (North America) fellows can typically transfer through the Actuaries Institute mutual recognition process.

What sectors employ actuaries in New Zealand?

NZ's main actuarial employers are: insurance companies (IAG, Suncorp, Tower, Southern Cross, Partners Life), the Reserve Bank of NZ (prudential regulation), ACC (accident compensation pricing and reserving), KiwiSaver providers, and consulting firms (Deloitte, PwC, Finity Consulting, Taylor Fry). NZ's small market means actuaries often have broad exposure across multiple product lines.

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