Accredited Employer Work Visa median wage rate and exemption changes

Law FirmCavell Leitch
Subject MatterImmigration, Work Visas
AuthorMr Shi Sheng Cai
Published date31 January 2023

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) had announced changes to the median wage rate for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications. These changes come into effect on 27 February 2023. This alert summarizes key information including flow on impacts for family members of AEWV holders and roles exempt from paying the median wage rate.

Median Rate

On 27 February 2023, a new median wage rate of $29.66 per hour will be incorporated into policy.

Job Check applications for roles that are not exempt from meeting the median rate requirements and pay below $29.66 per hour (but above $27.76) should be submitted before 27 February 2023. Job Check applications that are not exempt from meeting the median rate requirements and pay below $29.66 will most likely be declined after 27 February 2023 (unless further policy changes are made that impact the median wage rate policy).

AEWV applications submitted after 27 February 2023 that are supported by approved Job Check applications submitted before 27 February 2023 and with offers of employment paying above $27.76 but below $29.96 (or under Level 4 as per the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Act 2017) will:

  • be approved for 2 years (or 7 months for meat and seafood processing roles)
  • be subject to a stand down period.
  • not be able to support partners for Partnership Work Visas Children can still be supported for Dependent Child Student Visas (as long as all other requirements are met).

The twice median wage rate will also be increased to $59.32 per hour or $123,177.60 per annum (using a 40-hour work week) on 27 February 2023. Job Check applications that pay below $59.32 per hour or $123,177.60 per annum will need to be labour market tested unless Green List requirements can be met.

Roles Exempt from Paying Median Wage Rate

The following roles are exempt from paying the median wage rate and will require Job Check applications to pay a minimum of $26.69 per hour after 27 February 2023. Workers will need to be paid at least $26.69 per hour, if they are supported by a Job Check application submitted after 27 February 2023. Workers can still be paid least $25.00 per hour if they are supported by a Job Check application submitted by 27 February 2023 (that is subsequently approved).

Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Whitewater Rafting Guide Drainage, Sewerage and Storm water
Mechanic Labourer Landscape Gardener
Bricklayer Fibrous Plasterer Metal Fabricator
Builder's Labourer Fitter (general) Painting Trades Worker
Carpent
...

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