As of 08 September 2024, the New Zealand government has introduced short-term exemptions to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) skills requirements to avoid shortages in some sectors while long-term adjustments to the AEWV are considered. These exemptions aim to ease the recruitment process for employers in key industries facing critical workforce shortages and balance immediate needs with ongoing development.
The exemptions will be available for:
Meat and seafood processing sector: available to new visa applicants who have been offered roles under the 2024/25 cap within the sector agreement.
Tourism and hospitality sector: existing visa holders working in a role within the sector may be exempt from paying the February 2023 median wage ($29.66) under specific conditions if the visa holder meets the following criteria:
– The visa is expiring on or before 31 March 2025.
– The applicant is applying for a further 1-year AEWV for the same occupation.
Care workforce sector: existing visa holders employed in a role under the sector agreement may also be eligible for exemptions if they meet the following requirements:
– The visa was granted between 4 July 2022 and 23 November 2023.
– The applicant was paid a minimum of NZD$26.16 per hour.
– The applicant is applying for a further 1-year AEWV for the same occupation.
Important notes
These changes only exempt AEWV applicants from the minimum skill requirements introduced in April 2024. However, applicants will still need to meet the requirements outlined by the employer in the Job Check application.
The changes form part of a broader review of the AEWV to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of both employers and the labour market. The government will continue targeted consultations on potential long-term options to further improve the AEWV throughout the year.
Conclusion
The introduction of short-term exemptions to AEWV skills requirements for specific roles in the meat and seafood processing sector, tourism and hospitality sector, and care workforce sectors play an important role in addressing New Zealand’s current labour shortages issue. The exemptions provide immediate relief for employers while maintaining the integrity of the AEWV scheme.
For more details related to the short-term exemptions, click Immigration New Zealand.
For further information or specific guidance on how these updates may affect businesses or visa applications, please contact Arno Nothnagel, our Director of New Zealand Immigration, at arno.nothnagel@absoluteimmigration.com.
https://absoluteimmigration.com/nz/
