Significant reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in New Zealand!
The New Zealand Government has announced significant reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to address skill shortages and streamline the hiring process for employers. Let’s see the details!
written by: Suzanne – Continent Surfer
The New Zealand Government has announced significant reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to address skill shortages and streamline the hiring process for employers. Key changes include:
Removing the Median Wage Requirement:
Employers are no longer required to meet a median wage threshold for AEWV roles! However, they must offer the market rate for the position and location. This change does not affect existing employment agreements or the wage requirements for AEWV workers seeking residence.
Reduced Work Experience Requirement:
The required work experience for migrants has been reduced from three years to two!
New Seasonal Worker Pathways:
Two new visa pathways will be introduced for seasonal workers starting November 2025: a three-year multi-entry visa for experienced workers and a seven-month single-entry visa for lesser-skilled workers. Existing temporary, seasonal pathways will remain available until then.
Extended Visa Duration for ANZSCO Level 4 or 5 Roles:
The visa duration for jobs classified as skill level 4 or 5 under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) will increase to three years, aligning with the maximum continuous stay permitted. Current visa holders can apply for an additional year if they meet the requirements. Amended Work and Income Engagement Requirement: Employers must now declare that they have advertised ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 jobs with Work and Income and interviewed suitable candidates without adhering to a set 21-day timeframe.
Enhanced Work Rights for Interim Visa Holders:
From April 2025, interim work rights will be extended to AEWV applicants transitioning from any work visa type or from student visas that allow work during term time, aiding migrants in maintaining employment during visa processing.
Removal of Employment New Zealand Online Module Requirements:
Effective 27 January 2025, the obligation for employers to complete online modules will be removed. Instead, employers and workers will receive links to relevant Employment New Zealand or Immigration New Zealand webpages detailing employment rights and obligations.
Reduced Domestic Workforce Threshold for Certain Construction Roles:
The threshold for employing certain construction roles has been lowered from 35% to 15%, easing the hiring process in this sector. These reforms will be implemented in stages throughout 2025, beginning in January. Immigration New Zealand is also redesigning the Job Check step of the AEWV process to streamline procedures for low-risk employers and improve processing times, with changes expected from July 2025.
Don’t delay – this could be life-changing for you and your family!
For more detailed information, refer to the official announcement INZ website.
Did you know?
In New Zealand, Christmas is mostly associated with the beach. The festive attire is swimwear, the festive menu is barbecue, the festive smell is the smell of barbecue spices and sizzling meat mingling with the salty air of the sea. Seagulls sing in the background. Very different, right?
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