Although brought in with the best of intentions, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) has created a few more hurdles for Kiwi businesses wanting to hire migrant workers. 

Designed to bring in overseas workers where there is a genuine skill shortage (so businesses will hire Kiwis first) and combat migrant exploitation, the new AEWV has placed the administrative burden firmly at Kiwi businesses’ feet. 

Filling seasonal roles in hot spots like Wanaka can be hard, so if you’re looking to hire migrant workers as tourism ramps up again with our Aussie counterparts and other international visitors returning, getting the AEWV application process underway early on is vital. 

There are five key steps to getting an AEWV:

1. Getting accredited

There are different types of accreditation and the one suitable for your organisation will take some careful consideration.  

Your initial accreditation will be valid for 12 months and will need to be renewed if you want to continue employing migrant workers. 

2. Advertising your positions

Most employers are required to advertise the position in New Zealand for two weeks to show that the role cannot be filled by a Kiwi, unless one of these situations applies to you: 

• the position will be paid twice the New Zealand median wage (currently $27 an hour); or
• the role is on the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Green list.

3. Applying for the job check

If your advertising does not produce any suitable New Zealand candidates, you can apply for the job check. To do this you must provide INZ with:

• an intended employment agreement;
• a job description; and
• evidence that you advertised the position in New Zealand

If your job check is approved, you will be issued with a unique ‘Job Check Token’ to give to the migrant worker you’re intending to hire.

4. Migrant worker applies for the migrant check

The migrant worker is responsible for this next step. They need to use the ‘Job Check Token’ to apply for their visa. INZ will then carry out an assessment to determine their suitability to work in New Zealand by checking their:

• character;
• health;
• qualifications and experience; and
• whether the offer of employment is consistent with the approved job check. 

5. Complying with the accredited employer (and employee) standards.

Once the migrant worker arrives in New Zealand, as their employer you must assist them with settling in – this includes providing information about working and living here in New Zealand.

Employment NZ has put together modules that must be completed by you as the employer, and the migrant worker as the new employee, within the first month of their employment with you. 

It’s important to remember that if you’re hiring migrant workers on an AEWV, you must pay the median wage – this is currently $27 per hour, although there are some exceptions to this for certain sectors.

The process is not without its hurdles, so if you need some guidance or an employment agreement drafted for your job check, give us call, we’re here to help.