BEEHIVE ANNOUNCES CRUCIAL CHANGES TO EMPLOYER ACCREDITATION
Immigration New Zealand has released further updates and details regarding the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Policy and instructions are now set to go live on the 23rd May 2022 (previously 9th May 2022).
These changes align with the government plan to reconnect New Zealand with the rest of the world. Below are some of the key details, crucial for employers to be aware of, not only with regards to Accreditation application but also the other stages of the AEWV.
SUMMARY OF KEY CHANGES
Standard accreditation and high volume accreditation now have the same requirements.
Employers must still apply for high-volume accreditation and pay a higher fee if they want to employ more than 5 workers on AEWVs at one time.
High-volume accreditation no longer includes a requirement that jobs must pay at least 10% above minimum wage or be covered by a collective agreement. The new median wage threshold will apply across the board (see below).
Employers can upgrade from standard to high-volume accreditation at any point during their accreditation period, for a fee.
Further requirements for high-volume employers may be considered in the future.
Additional accreditation requirements remain for employers who are franchisees or who place AEWV holders with controlling third parties – but there is now no limit on the number of AEWV holders these employers can employ at one time.
At the job check stage, the labour market test is no longer regionalised. All employers need to advertise their vacancies unless the role is paid at least twice the median wage.
There will be more flexibility in how INZ calculates whether a migrant meets the median wage threshold.
AEWV Implementation Dates:
23 May 2022 – Employers can apply for accreditation.
20 June 2022 – Accredited employers can submit a job check.
4 July 2022 (unchanged) – migrants can apply for an AEWV, where the employer is accredited, and a job check has been completed.
Migrant workers can still apply for an Essential Skills Work Visa until 3 July 2022.
Employers do not need to apply for accreditation from 23 May 2022, unless they intend to hire migrants on an AEWV soon after 4 July 2022.
3 July 2022 is the last day for onshore workers to apply for an Essential Skills Work Visa. Anyone with visas expiring in the next 6 months, we recommend doing so under the current policies, particularly those planning to travel - otherwise they may not be able to return. This includes those who have applied for their 2021 Resident Visas.
