Information provided at a recent seminar regarding the need for a Labour Market Test (LMT) caused some confusion. The position is now clarified as follows: 

Employment in a position assessed as being Skill level 3  

An application for a work permit or visa for a skill level 3 position does not require a mandatory referral to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) as does a skill level 4 or 5 position. Referral to MSD is only one part of a labour market test.  For skill level 3 positions Immigration New Zealand still requires an employer to have made “genuine attempts” to recruit New Zealand citizens or residents.  An employer for a skill level 3 position is still required to provide a Employer Supplementary Form and provide evidence of the genuine attempts the employer has made to fill the position locally by way of advertising and the qualifications and work experience required, but a referral to MSD is not mandatory.