Solicitors practise law in NZ, advising clients on commercial, property, employment, and civil matters. NZ requires admission to the New Zealand Bar — overseas-qualified lawyers can apply through NZLS.
Talk to a licensed NZ immigration adviser about your Solicitor visa pathway.
Get Free Assessment →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.
Solicitors in New Zealand advise individuals and organisations on legal matters, draft contracts and legal documents, and represent clients in legal proceedings. NZ's legal market spans commercial law, property, employment, family, criminal, and public law. Law firms in Auckland (Chapman Tripp, Russell McVeagh, Bell Gully, Simpson Grierson) and Wellington (Crown Law, MinterEllisonRuddWatts) are the major employers. To practise law in NZ, overseas-qualified lawyers must be admitted to the NZ Bar through the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) Character Committee. Australian-qualified lawyers have a streamlined pathway via the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act.
Salaries are based on NZ market data. Regional and rural positions may offer allowances, relocation support, and retention bonuses in addition to base salary.
Source: Immigration NZ Operational Manual (WA3.16) — updated 9 March 2026
Yes. Solicitor (ANZSCO 271311) is ANZSCO Skill Level 1, qualifying for a 5-year AEWV. However, to practise law in NZ you must be admitted to the NZ Bar through the New Zealand Law Society. You can obtain an AEWV before admission and work in a paralegal or legal research capacity while completing the admission process.
Australian-admitted lawyers can apply for admission to the NZ Bar via the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997. This is a streamlined pathway that recognises your Australian admission. Contact NZLS (nzls.org.nz) for the current process — it typically takes 2–4 months and does not require resitting NZ exams.
NZ's strongest demand is in: commercial and corporate law (M&A, private equity), property and construction law (driven by NZ's housing and infrastructure boom), employment law (complex ER environment), family law, immigration law, and resource management/environment law. Litigation and dispute resolution skills are consistently valued.
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