Changes to Accredited employer work visa (AEWV)

On April 7th, the government announced changes to the accredited employer work visa that are affecting employers and workers in low-skilled jobs. These changes entail the implementation of minimum English language standards, experience and qualification prerequisites, restrictions on the duration of employee stays in the country, evaluations of roles based on ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5, and mandates for engaging with Work and Income prior to applying for job checks. As of April 7th, 2024, occupation classifications will be assessed with ANZSCO.

For AEWV – Applicants

Meeting New English Language Requirements for AEWV

If a candidate applying for AEWV for job profile that comes under ANZSCO level 4 and 5 than one must meet the English language requirements through:

·      Your citizenship, where you studied and the qualifications you gained (Kindly refer to INZ for more information)

·      English Language tests

Test Minimum Score Requirements

·      IELTS (Academic or OSR) | 4 Overall

·      Pearson test of English PTE | 29 Overall

·      TOEFL iBT | 31 Overall

·      OET | Grade D or higher in all 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Please note that any occupation falls in ANZSCO 1 to 3 there is no requirements for English language requirements.

Skill Requirements

For applying the AEWV the candidate need to show the work experience or qualifications. Employer need to check the skill requirements before they offer the job.

Candidate now must have:

·      at least 3 years’ relevant work experience, or

·      a relevant qualification at level 4 or above of the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).

If you have done below bachelor’s degree qualification evidence of your qualification must be accompanied by international Qualification Assessment (IQA).

Shorter Visa and stay in New Zealand for some jobs

ANZSCO level 4 and 5 jobs with AEWV pay rate paying or above the maximum visa length is 2 years with one year of new job check.

Total time for AEWV is now reduced to 3 years, these changes will apply to anyone who have applied their first AEWV visa before 21 June 2023 and on or after 7th April 2024. The length of an AEWV and maximum continuous stay for people in ANZSCO level 1 to 3 jobs will remain 5 years. Some ANZSCO level 4 and 5 will not be affected by changes including on green list, in transport and care sector agreement and pathway to residence, earning 1.5 times of median wage.

For Employers

Employer Accreditation Stage | Job Check Stage | AEWV Stage

·      Higher work Experience and qualification standards

·      Minimum English requirements

·      Roles assessed by ANZSCO level 4 and 5.

·      Shorter stay in New Zealand

·      New Rules for ANZSCO level 4 and 5

o   21 days advertising than 14 days earlier

o   Engage with work and income.

o   Declaration in job check a New Zealander who applied not hired.

·      Ensure an applicant is suitably qualified and skilled.

Employers must now take reasonable steps to ensure migrants are suitably skilled before sending them a job token.

·      Employ migrants for at least 30 hours.

·      Using of ANZSCO Levels

·      Suitable and available New Zealanders

Employers will be required to declare that nobody who applied for the job met the definition. 

·      Information to Immigration New Zealand when a migrant leaves their job.