Policy changes for businesses employing migrants

Previously scheduled for 1 November 2021, Immigration New Zealand’s new temporary work visa, called the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to replace the six current temporary work visas, will be temporarily deferred to the middle of next year.

The newly introduced system will reduce New Zealand’s reliance on lower-paid temporary workers, better address productivity, skills and infrastructure challenges and increase the skill levels of migrants.

To successfully recruit migrants, employers must be accredited to ensure they are compliant, pay the market rate and comply with employment laws.

Businesses who employ migrants will be accredited for an initial 12-month period, then will be required to renew their accreditation every two years, with fees due to be announced in August 2021.

For those businesses/employers wanting to place migrants on AEWV’s with third parties – including labour hire companies – they must meet additional criteria and have their accreditation renewed every year.

Finally, those who only hire migrants on visas with open work rights – including partnership, working holiday visas and students with work rights – do not need to become accredited.

The following employer policies are closing to new and renewing applications on 30 June 2021:

•  Accredited Employer (Talent – Accredited Employer)
•  Labour Hire Accreditation (Essential Skills)
• Approval in Principle (Essential Skills) – note this does not include approval in principle for other policies including AIP for foreign crew of fishing vessels.

CEDA want to ensure that employers feel well-informed ahead of the changes being introduced.

For more information and to see other upcoming changes click here, alternatively if you would like to discuss the changes with CEDA’s business team contact us here.