Further changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa

The next round of the previously announced changes to the AEWV regime come into effect 10 March 2025. These changes aim to make the visa process more flexible and responsive to the needs of businesses in different sectors and regions.

What is changing?

Removal of Median Wage Requirement

Employers hiring migrant workers on an AEWV, and the Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV), are no longer required to pay the median wage. Employers must now pay these workers the market rate for the role, and at least the New Zealand minimum wage - currently $23.15 per hour and increasing to $23.50 per hour from 1 April 2025. Sector agreements and wage exemptions for below-median wage jobs no longer apply.

At this time, this change to a market payrate regime only applies to AEWV and SPWV visa applications. This change is not, as yet, being carried across to Skilled Migrant Category residence.

Reduction in Minimum Skills Requirement

The minimum requirement for relevant work experience has been reduced from three years to two years and the onus is on employers to ensure this requirement is satisfied with independently verifiable evidence. This minimum skills requirement can also be met with a relevant Level 4 (comparable) qualification or any degree.

Job Check Pay

An AEWV application can be approved with a lower remuneration than what was approved at the Job Check stage if the Job Check was submitted on or before 9 March 2025 and the remuneration is not less than the New Zealand market rate.

Skill Level Changes

The following occupations classified as ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5 will be treated as being at skill level 3 for AEWV purposes:

• Cook
• Pet Groomer
• Kennel Hand
• Nanny
• Fitness Instructor
• Scaffolder
• Slaughterer

Other occupations may also be treated as skill level 3 if the role's skill requirements are equivalent to those of a skill level 3 role (can requires 3 years of experience):

Increasing visa term for ANZSCO Level 4 & 5 roles

The visa term for these roles has been increased from 2 to 3 years to match the Maximum Continuous Stay (MCS) allowed for these roles.

All AEWV holders will have a MCS of either 3 or 5 years. An MCS of five years applies if the first AEWV application was made between 21 June 2023 and 6 April 2024, and the job paid at least $29.66 per hour. Otherwise, a MCS of 3 or 5 years will be applicable in line with the currency of the AEWV visas being granted (5 years for Skill Levels 1-3 roles and some Skill Levels 4-5 roles as listed above, and 3 years for all other Skill Levels 4-5 roles).

Changes to Employer Engagement with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD)

While employers are required to engage with MSD (Work and Income) when hiring someone in most Skill Level 4-5 occupations, they are no longer required to provide evidence of this engagement with the Job Check application. However, employers must declare that they have engaged in good faith with MSD (and advertised the role for 3 weeks) and retain evidence of such engagement.

The Income Threshold to support Dependent Children

This threshold has been increased to $55,844 pa. The previous threshold of $43,322.76 pa continues to apply where a child already held, or had applied for, a dependent child visa before 10 March 2025.

Interim Work Rights for AEWV Applicants – coming in April

AEWV applicants will now have interim work rights if they apply for an AEWV while holding any type of work visa or from a student visa that permits work during term time. Additionally, time spent on an interim visa is considered when calculating a migrant's total continuous stay under the AEWV, as well as for counting towards New Zealand work experience for residence visa applications.

Pathways® licensed immigration advisers are well-versed with the changes to the AEWV policy and also all other NZ visa types, and are in the right position to discuss the visa options most suited to any situation. Contact Pathways to New Zealand® today for a free, no-obligation, and customised immigration advise.