Which Green List tier is Quantity Surveyor on?

Tier 1. Under INZ Appendix 13 (9 March 2026), a Quantity Surveyor (ANZSCO 233213) qualifies for Straight to Residence via either a bachelor's degree majoring in quantity surveying or construction economics (360 credits), or Student/Affiliate/Full membership of NZIQS with an NZIQS-approved overseas degree.

Does a Chinese cost-engineering degree meet the requirement?

It needs assessment. The degree route requires comparability with a New Zealand QS major: overseas degrees not on INZ's exemption list (Appendix 17) need an NZQA International Qualification Assessment. The alternative is NZIQS: it approves overseas degrees (including all RICS-accredited programmes), and holders can apply for Student or Affiliate membership.

What does full NZIQS membership (MNZIQS) require?

Per INZ's official careers page: an approved degree majoring in quantity surveying or cost economics, plus at least three years of relevant post-graduate work experience. With a New Zealand job offer in hand, the membership application can be fast-tracked within days.

Do quantity surveyors need a licence to practise in NZ?

No. QS is not a registered occupation in New Zealand; NZIQS membership is a professional body credential. But it is the key that unlocks the Green List's overseas-degree route and the qualification most employers look for.

Can a graduate QS salary meet the immigration median wage?

Usually not at first. Glassdoor (2026) puts graduate QS pay around NZ$64,000 (about NZ$31/hour), below the NZ$35.00 median; PayScale has entry level near NZ$57,000. Most graduates need one to two years to cross NZ$72,800, typically on an AEWV before applying for residence.

Guides

Quantity Surveyors in NZ: Green List Tier 1 and the NZIQS Route

Updated: 2026-08-07 · Data verified: 2026-08-07

Quantity Surveyors in New Zealand: The Complete Guide

The Quantity Surveyor (the construction industry’s cost and contracts specialist) is one of the core construction occupations on the Green List: Tier 1, chronically in demand, with a clear two-route qualification bar. Meet one route, hold a compliant job offer, and you can apply for residence directly.

Green List Position and the Two Routes

Under INZ Appendix 13 (effective 9 March 2026), Quantity Surveyor (ANZSCO 233213) sits on Tier 1 (Straight to Residence). Meet one of:

Degree route: a bachelor’s degree at NZQCF Level 7 or higher (minimum 360 credits) with a New Zealand major in quantity surveying or construction economics; or
Membership route: Student, Affiliate or full Member (MNZIQS) of the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors, with an overseas degree approved by NZIQS.

Note the “major” requirement on the degree route: adjacent disciplines such as civil engineering or construction management do not automatically qualify: the qualification must cover a QS major. Overseas degrees follow Appendix 13 Note 1: unless on INZ’s exemption list (Appendix 17), an NZQA International Qualification Assessment (IQA) is required.

The Key for Overseas Applicants: NZIQS

For applicants with overseas cost-engineering or construction-management backgrounds, the NZIQS route is often more direct than an NZQA assessment. Key facts from INZ’s official careers page:

NZIQS accepts qualifications from all RICS-accredited programmes; other overseas degrees are assessed case by case
Full membership (MNZIQS) requires an approved degree (QS or cost economics major) plus at least 3 years of relevant post-graduate experience
With a New Zealand job offer, membership applications can be fast-tracked within days
The Green List only requires Student or Affiliate membership: so holders of NZIQS-approved degrees can meet the requirement before accumulating the three years needed for full membership

QS is not a registered occupation in New Zealand: no practising licence exists. NZIQS membership is an industry credential: the Green List key and the market’s recognised qualification.

Jobs and Salaries

QS demand spans the country, concentrated in Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. Employers include cost consultancies, main contractors (commercial QS), developers and government agencies. Salary references (sources differ; treat offers as authoritative):

SEEK (July 2026): average QS salary range NZ$100,000–120,000
PayScale (2026): average about NZ$77,411 (10th–90th percentile NZ$58k–108k); entry level about NZ$57,325
Glassdoor (2026): national average about NZ$89,500 (NZ$43/hour); Auckland graduate QS about NZ$64,000 (NZ$31/hour)

Experience is the biggest driver: NZ$70k–90k at 3–5 years; senior QS (7+ years) commonly NZ$100k–130k+.

Median Wage Maths

Tier 1 occupations without a specified pay rate must meet NZ$35.00/hour (about NZ$72,800/year) when applying for residence:

Graduate QS falls short: NZ$64,000 ÷ 2,080 ≈ NZ$30.77/hour. The typical path is an AEWV first, then residence after one to two years of pay growth
2–3 years’ experience (NZ$73k+): meets the threshold
Senior QS: NZ$109,200 (1.5x median) scores 3 SMC income points: well within the NZ$100k–120k market average

Common Misconceptions

“Quantity Surveyor and Surveyor are the same job”: They are not. QS (233213) handles cost and contracts; Surveyor (232212) is land surveying, with completely different Green List requirements (Bachelor of Surveying or S+SNZ membership).
“A Chinese cost-engineer licence is directly recognised”: It is not. China’s cost-engineer credential is not part of the Green List criteria; overseas applicants go through NZQA assessment or NZIQS degree approval.
“You need a licence to work as a QS”: No mandatory registration exists. But the Green List overseas route and mainstream employers both run through NZIQS.
“A civil engineering degree works as a QS qualification”: Not necessarily. The degree route requires a QS or construction economics major. Civil engineering backgrounds map more naturally to Civil Engineer (233211) or Construction Project Manager (133111), each with its own requirements.

Green List Checker: the current requirement text for 233213
SMC Points Calculator: combine qualification, income and experience
Salary Tax Calculator: take-home pay on a NZ$90k package

Frequently asked questions

Which Green List tier is Quantity Surveyor on?: Tier 1. Under INZ Appendix 13 (9 March 2026), a Quantity Surveyor (ANZSCO 233213) qualifies for Straight to Residence via either a bachelor's degree majoring in quantity surveying or construction economics (360 credits), or Student/Affiliate/Full membership of NZIQS with an NZIQS-approved overseas degree.
Does a Chinese cost-engineering degree meet the requirement?: It needs assessment. The degree route requires comparability with a New Zealand QS major: overseas degrees not on INZ's exemption list (Appendix 17) need an NZQA International Qualification Assessment. The alternative is NZIQS: it approves overseas degrees (including all RICS-accredited programmes), and holders can apply for Student or Affiliate membership.
What does full NZIQS membership (MNZIQS) require?: Per INZ's official careers page: an approved degree majoring in quantity surveying or cost economics, plus at least three years of relevant post-graduate work experience. With a New Zealand job offer in hand, the membership application can be fast-tracked within days.
Do quantity surveyors need a licence to practise in NZ?: No. QS is not a registered occupation in New Zealand; NZIQS membership is a professional body credential. But it is the key that unlocks the Green List's overseas-degree route and the qualification most employers look for.
Can a graduate QS salary meet the immigration median wage?: Usually not at first. Glassdoor (2026) puts graduate QS pay around NZ$64,000 (about NZ$31/hour), below the NZ$35.00 median; PayScale has entry level near NZ$57,000. Most graduates need one to two years to cross NZ$72,800, typically on an AEWV before applying for residence.

Keep going with the tools

Green List Checker Open tool → Take-Home Pay Open tool → SMC Points Calculator Open tool →