Immigration New Zealand has announced a raft of changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme in an attempt to target ‘unsustainable’ migration, following a significant increase in migrants entering the country last year. The changes announced by the government will attempt to attract more high skilled migrants and ensure New Zealanders are put in jobs first. Changes impacting employers Employers must now check that there are suitable and available New Zealand workers when doing a job check application. A suitable and available New Zealander is one who is : ‘qualified to take up the work offer’ through qualifications and skills ; or ‘can be easily trained to do the work on offer’ with on the job training despite not having skills or experience; and ‘available to do the work on offer’ who lives close by Employers looking to hire a low skilled job at skill level 4 and 5 must: Advertise for 21 days rather than 14; and Engage with Work and Income; and Declare on the job check why New Zealanders were not hired. If an employer hires a New Zealand applicant who does not meet the definition of suitable and available, their Job Check will be declined. Employers must now take reasonable steps to ensure an applicant meets the qualification skill and requirement as part of their obligations as an accredited employer. This can be done by sighting work experience letters, qualifications or getting the applicant to do a test or an interview to demonstrate their knowledge. Employers are now obliged to inform Immigration NZ within 10 working days that a worker on the AEWV leaves a month or more before their visa expires. Failure to do so will result in a revocation or suspension of the accreditation status. It is important that employers acquaint themselves with the ANZSCO framework as Immigration NZ has now reverted back to relying on the ANZSCO to determine the occupation and skill level of a job. Changes impacting new AEWV applicants Wanting to apply for an AEWV? Be aware as Immigration NZ has introduced a new minimum skill requirement. Unless your role is on the Green List and meets the Green List role requirements, or is paid least twice the median wage, you must now have: at least 3 years’ relevant work experience, or a relevant qualification at level 4 or above of the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF). Evidence of your qualification must be accompanied by an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) if it is below a Bachelor’s degree level. If your job is low skilled at an ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 such as cleaners, fast food chefs or labourers, you must now meet the minimum standard of English. This can be fulfilled if your citizenship, work or study was in an English speaking country, or if you achieve the relevant test scores of IELTS 4 or PTE 29 or another equivalent test score. For low skilled jobs at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 which are paid at or above the median wage, the maximum length of the visa has been reduced to 2 years, with the ability to apply for one more year with a new Job Check. The total time permitted to stay in NZ has been reduced to 3 years and you will need to leave the country for 12 months before you can apply for another AEWV. These changes will apply to anyone who applied for their first AEWV on or after 7 April 2024, or before 21 June 2023. ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5 that are not impacted include those : on the Green List in transport and care sector agreements, and on a pathway to residence earning 1.5 times the median wage. Changes impacting current AEWV holders There have been some changes made to those who hold an AEWV for a low skilled job at ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5. If you applied for your AEWV before the 21st June 2023, and currently hold a 3 year work visa, you will no longer be able to access the maximum time of five years. If you are in an ANZSCO level 4 and 5 job on a pathway to residence, you will not be affected by these changes. If you apply for a further AEWV on or after 7 April 2024, you will need to meet the updated criteria with the new skill requirement or minimum standard of English. If you are in an ANZSCO level 4 and 5 job you may not be able to stay and work in New Zealand for the maximum time of five years. [button title=”Talk to an expert” link=”https://pierlaw.co.nz/contact/” align=”center” class=”” color=”” font_color=”” size=”2″ full_width=” download=”” rel=”” onclick=””] Have any questions? Get in touch with our team today and they can help you with your AEWV.
