What INZ Looks for When Determining a Role and Substantial Match to ANZSCO

May 24, 2024

When submitting a visa application for an employee, one of the critical factors that immigration officers consider is whether the role being offered matches the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). For both independent business owners and migrant workers, understanding these criteria can be pivotal for a successful application. This blog post will delve into what immigration officers look for, specifically when assessing independent businesses versus franchise businesses.

Understanding ANZSCO and WA3.16 Instructions

The ANZSCO is a classification system used to categorize and describe all occupations in the Australian and New Zealand labour markets. Roles within businesses must align with ANZSCO codes to meet visa requirements. The instructions at WA3.16 outline the main factors immigration officers will consider:

1. Role Responsibilities and Duties: Whether the tasks performed match those described in ANZSCO.
2. Size and Scope of the Business: How the business’s scale and operations affect the role.
3. Management Structure and Autonomy: The level of decision-making authority tied to the role.

Let’s explore these factors in more detail.

1.  Role Responsibilities and Duties

Key Factors:

• Job Description: Immigration officers will closely scrutinize the job description provided by the employer to ensure it aligns with the nominated ANZSCO code.

• Actual Duties Performed: Beyond the job description, officers will consider the real-world responsibilities the role entails. Discrepancies between listed and actual duties can lead to scrutiny and potential rejection.

Tips for Small Businesses:

• Detailed Job Descriptions: Ensure job descriptions are detailed and match the ANZSCO classification as closely as possible.

• Consistency: Keep records and evidence that the employee’s day-to-day responsibilities align with what has been submitted.

Tips for Franchise Businesses:

• Standardised Roles: Franchises often benefit from standardized roles across locations. Ensure these standardised roles align with ANZSCO classifications.

• Corporate Support: Leverage support from the franchising organization to ensure compliance and consistency in job descriptions and duties.

2. Size and Scope of the Business

Key Factors:

• Business Scale: Immigration officers will consider the scale of the business, including the number of employees and overall revenue.

• Operational Complexity: Larger operations may have more complex roles, which can affect how closely a role matches ANZSCO classifications.

Tips for Independent Businesses:

• Scale Appropriately: Highlight any growth plans and how the role fits into your business’s expansion strategy.

• Leverage Local Impact: Emphasize the role’s importance in supporting local economic and community goals.

Tips for Franchise Businesses:

• Unified Standard: Maintain a unified standard across all locations to meet ANZSCO criteria.

• Highlight Franchise Benefits: Showcase the benefits of the franchise model, including training, support systems, and standardised practices.

3. Management Structure and Autonomy

Key Factors:

• Decision-Making Authority: The level of autonomy in decision-making for the role will be scrutinized. Roles with more autonomy may more easily match higher-level ANZSCO classifications.

• Reporting Lines: Who the role reports to and the overall management structure will be considered.

Tips for Small Businesses:

• Empowerment: Highlight the autonomy and decision-making power attached to the role.

• Structural Clarity: Ensure organizational charts are clear and demonstrate how the role fits into the overall business structure.

Tips for Franchise Businesses:

• Defined Hierarchies: Clearly define reporting lines and the level of autonomy within franchise operations.

• Consistency in Management: Maintain consistency in management structures across all franchise locations.

Conclusion

Understanding what immigration officers look for when determining whether a role matches ANZSCO classifications is crucial for both small business owners and immigration applicants. By focusing on detailed job descriptions, aligning actual duties with ANZSCO codes, considering the size and scope of the business, and clearly defining the management structure and autonomy, you can enhance your chances of a successful visa application.

For independent businesses, this means carefully crafting job descriptions and leveraging your local impact, while for franchise businesses, it involves maintaining consistency and leveraging corporate support.

Ultimately, knowing these criteria and preparing accordingly can make the difference in navigating the immigration process successfully. If you have further questions or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team specializing in immigration and business consultancy.