New Zealand: Further Key Changes to Accredited Employer Work Visa Released

Removal of the median wage requirement.

• Employers hiring under AEWV and seasonal Specific Purpose Work Visa policies will no longer be required to pay the median wage. No fixed wage thresholds will apply, except for the New Zealand minimum wage (currently NZD 23.15 per hour, increasing to NZD 23.50 per hour on April 1, 2025).
• Employers will still be required to ensure that foreign workers receive wages comparable to New Zealand workers in similar roles.
• Sector Agreements that allowed exemptions to the median wage requirement will be removed, but those providing residence pathways will remain unchanged. This means that previously restricted below-median wage roles will now be treated the same as other jobs at the same skill level.

• As wage barriers are removed, more foreign nationals may qualify for AEWV roles. Workers may be paid at the market rate rather than being required to meet the median wage.
• Those in sectors previously restricted by wage exemptions will now have equal access to AEWV roles without pay restrictions. However, wage levels might still vary by employer and industry, which could impact earnings.

Reduction in work experience requirement.

• The required work experience for AEWV applicants will be reduced from three years to two years.
• Employers must still verify that the applicant meets the two-year experience threshold.
• This change aims to increase the talent pool while minimizing risks of exploitation.

This expands opportunities for younger or mid-career professionals looking to work in New Zealand. The lower requirement still ensures that workers have sufficient experience to avoid exploitation.

Easier proof of employer engagement with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). Employers hiring for Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) Skill Level 4 and 5 roles will no longer be required to submit detailed documentation with their Job Check application and will instead be able to simply declare that they have advertised lower-skilled roles with Work and Income and interviewed suitable candidates.

With the reduced documentary requirement, the process of proving a lack of local candidates is expected to become simpler. 

Extension of visa duration. The maximum visa duration for ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 AEWV holders will increase to three years. This aligns with the total allowable stay in New Zealand under AEWVs.

AEWV holders in lower-skilled occupations will have longer visa stability (from two years to three years)—reducing the need for frequent renewals. This makes New Zealand a more attractive destination for foreign workers in lower skilled roles. 

Higher wage thresholds for sponsorship. See our minimum salary alert for details on the higher wage thresholds.

• Foreign applicants seeking to sponsor children, parents or spouses must meet the annual income threshold.
• This may pose difficulties for workers in lower-paying industries.

Recognition of higher ANZSCO skill levels. With Immigration New Zealand (INZ) transitioning from the ANZSCO system to the National Occupation List (NOL), certain occupations are being reclassified.

This could lead to better job prospects, pay, and residency options for foreign workers in the affected fields. More skilled workers may qualify for residency pathways, increasing long-term migration opportunities.

Updates to interim visa work rights. Effective April 1, 2025, AEWV applicants on interim visas will gain work rights while awaiting visa decisions if they:

• Apply for any type of work visa; or
• Transition from a student visa that permits work during term time.

Time spent on an interim visa that allows work will count toward AEWV total continuous stay calculations and work-to-residence pathways. 

• Foreign nationals on interim visas while awaiting an AEWV decision may continue working legally, which prevents job loss and financial instability during visa processing delays.
• Since the time spent on an interim visa now counts towards work-to-residence pathways, this change benefits those aiming for residence status in New Zealand.