G4.1 Basic rules for work experience (01/07/2003)

1. Principal applicants must have at least 2 years' lawfully obtained (see G4.1.1 (e)(iv)) work experience to be approved in the General Skills category. Principal applicants who do not obtain at least one point for work experience must be declined (subject to G4.1(b) below).
2. Principal applicants are exempt from this requirement if they have completed a New Zealand qualification (see G2.20.1) for which they have been awarded points or for which they were eligible to be awarded points but did not claim them, provided that they obtained the qualification without the assistance of NZAID (formerly NZODA) funding.
3. Principal applicants may be awarded one point for every 2 complete years' lawfully obtained work experience, up to a maximum of 10 points.

   Example: Five years of work experience would be awarded 2 points.

4. For principal applicants to be awarded points for work experience, visa and immigration officers must be satisfied that their work experience is lawfully obtained.

G4.1.1 What kind of work experience counts?

1. Work experience which was an integral part or course requirement of the qualification for which points are awarded will not be counted in calculating work experience.
2. Research, study or training that is undertaken as part of paid employment may be assessed as work experience, provided that:
   1. it is relevant to the qualification for which points were awarded, and
   2. it was not undertaken as part of the qualification for which points were awarded.
3. Work experience may be aggregated.
4. Periods of parental leave, leave without pay, or unpaid study leave do not count towards relevant work experience.
5. Work experience does not include experience:
   1. of such a low standard that it led to the principal applicant's dismissal;
   2. gained before the age of 20 (except work experience gained after a qualification for which points are awarded);
   3. gained during compulsory military service or compulsory community service (except if the work experience is gained after the age of 20 and is relevant to the qualification for which points are awarded);
   4. gained while in a country where the principal applicant was either an unlawful resident or required authority to undertake employment, but did not have such authority.

G4.1.5 Part-time work

1. Calculation of levels of work experience must be for complete weeks based on a 30-hour week.
2. Credit is given for 30-hour weeks only, even though a principal applicant has worked more than 30 hours in any week.

   Example: Fifty-two 60-hour weeks are equal to one year's work experience.

3. Credit for part-time work experience may be given on a proportional basis.

   Example: Four years' work experience for 15 hours per week is equal to 2 years' work experience for a 30-hour week, and would therefore be awarded one point.

Effective 01/07/2003