Labour market constraints are a significant issue for New Zealand employers and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. That’s why it is essential employers avail themselves of all options for recruitment and retention of potential employees - with migrants being an important consideration in the mix. With this in mind, it’s therefore imperative employers recognise the way in which migrants can be employed is about to change.
Having delayed the implementation this year of the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), the NZ Government has now fixed the date for this new framework to be introduced as the 4th July 2022.
Accreditation with Immigration New Zealand will be mandatory from this date for employers wanting to hire migrants on employer-assisted work visas; and a AEWV will be required for migrants to take up a job offer. Learn more about the process here
To become accredited an employer will need to produce a range of documentation that addresses its:
financial position;
HR policies and processes;
workplace practices; and
commitment to hiring and training New Zealanders.
In doing so it is important to demonstrate a history of compliance with NZ employment and immigration law.
Applications for employers wanting to obtain accreditation status will open on the 9th May 2022 and we advise those wanting to apply to prepare well in advance for this – the documentation required can take a significant amount of time to prepare, and some employers may need to take steps to address issues relating to the points listed above well before the lodgement of an application.
If you would like to discuss your options, or how you might prepare for the impending changes, CALL one of our team, or complete the form below and we will get back to you shortly.