Employer’s Guide to Induction and Settlement for AEWV Employees

Employers play a critical role in ensuring their employees are well-prepared for starting new roles, especially when relocating to a new country. By providing essential information about working and living in New Zealand, accredited employers not only support a smooth transition but also demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being and a positive work environment.

As part of their responsibilities under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program, employers are required to give paid time to employees to learn about employment rights and provide information about settling in New Zealand within the first month of employment. Offering personalised guidance tailored to each employee’s specific needs and circumstances can help them settle effectively into their new location.

Paid time to complete learning modules

It is required to ensure that all AEWV employees understand their employment rights by providing paid time within the first month of work to complete online learning modules from Employment New Zealand. These modules are designed to help migrants understand their rights and avoid workplace disputes

Settlement information that must be given to AEWV employees

• Accommodation: explain renting of the tenant’s rights and responsibilities. It is necessary to offer personalised regional advice on finding accommodation, choosing suitable locations, and understanding local conditions.
• Transport: localised transport information, including public transport options, driving regulations, and resources for obtaining a New Zealand driver’s license and buying a car.
• Cost of living: advice on budgeting and providing resources for calculating living costs including local or regional costs, tips for saving money, and information on finding affordable goods.
• Healthcare services: explain the healthcare system, with guidance on accessing services, public healthcare eligibility, emergency contacts, and nearby medical facilities and health insurance options.
• Citizens Advice Bureau services: the role of the Citizens Advice Bureau such as employment rights and other issues.
• Community groups: advice on finding local community groups, ethnic organizations, and social networks, tailored to the employee’s specific region and personal interests.
• Getting an IRD number: provides the information for applying the Inland Revenue (IRD) number, and advice on managing taxes in New Zealand.
• Industry training and qualifications: information related to industry-specific training and qualifications such as occupational registration and assessments of overseas qualifications.
• Job or Industry Hazards: employers should provide specific information on workplace hazards, personal protective equipment, and relevant safety training.
• Families with Children: advice for relocating with children, information includes covering New Zealand’s school system, childcare options, and community activities.
• Additional resources such as employment rights, banking, mobile phone setup, climate information, and emergency preparedness should include region-specific details and other practical information that may help employees adjust to New Zealand.

For more information related to the requirements of AEWV employers refer here

Settlement resources for employers to help settle migrant employees

Employer toolkit: the Employer toolkit guides effective communication with migrant employees, highlighting cultural differences that can influence communication styles including practical advice, especially for Pacific migrants, to help them settle into the workplace.

Understanding: migration: The workplace settlement model illustrates how different aspects of a migrant employee’s new life integrate, emphasizing the importance of supporting their community integration and workplace adaptation.

For more details related to employer toolkit and migration understanding refer here.

For further information and assistance on these updates, please contact Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, at arno.nothnagel@absoluteimmigration.com