Job Check NZ: New Requirements for Hiring Migrant Workers
JOB CHECK NZ: New application process
The Job Check is one of the steps in the 3-step Accredited Employer Work Visa (AWEV) process.
Job Checks are to ensure that there are no New Zealanders available to do the job. This is to support local employment and ensure New Zealanders are considered for jobs before an employer looks to recruit migrant workers.
Here are the 3 main steps in this process:
- apply for accreditation
- apply for a job check to make sure the role they want to fill cannot be done by suitable New Zealander workers, and
- request a migrant worker to apply for a visa (AEWV).
The migrant will need to meet the skills and experience stipulated as part of the New Zealand job check.
Changes to Job check in 2025
In 2025, changes were made to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program, including the job check process. The main changes involve removing the median wage requirement, reducing work experience requirements, and redesigning the job check stage.
Employers are no longer required to provide an Engagement Check from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) for job checks. Instead, they must declare in good faith that they have engaged with MSD and interviewed suitable candidates. Additionally, the required work experience for AEWV applicants was reduced from 3 to 2 years. These changes, implemented starting in March 2025, aim to streamline the process and make it easier for employers to hire skilled workers.
Job check NZ requirements
For Job Check NZ, INZ will mainly check that:
- the employer holds accreditation and continues to meet the requirement of accreditation.
- the employment is acceptable (the job pays the market rate, at least 30 hours per week, the terms and conditions comply with employment laws)
- there are no suitable New Zealand citizens or residents available to do the work specified.
FAQ
1. What is the process for obtaining an Accredited Employer Work Visa in New Zealand, and what is the significance of the job check?
To obtain an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in New Zealand, employers must first go through the job check process, which involves meeting specific criteria set by Immigration New Zealand. This includes providing a detailed job description that outlines the role’s responsibilities, skills required, and the minimum skills expected. The job must also meet the market rate requirement (the requirement for the job to pay at least the median wage has been removed from March 2025, however the job still needs to pay the market rate). and employers should offer an acceptable job offer that complies with employment law. The proposed employment agreement must outline the terms, including work hours and remuneration, and be supported by employment agreement evidence. Once the job check is approved, the migrant worker can apply for work visa (AEWV).
2. What are the key factors that determine whether a job check is approved or declined, and what role does the National Job Listing website play in the process?
The approval of a job check hinges on several factors, including whether the employer’s offer meets the market rate in New Zealand. The detailed job description, job title, and other job details must align with the advertised position. Employers must also demonstrate their commitment to fair employment practices and compliance with employment law. Additionally, the job must be advertised on the National Job Listing website, which is part of the advertising evidence required for the job check. Only a job on the Green List or a job paying at least twice the median wage (currently $59.32 per hour) is exempted from advertising. If the job check is approved, the employer can proceed with hiring migrant workers.
3. What is the role of the Labour Market Test in the job check process for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), and how does it relate to migrant workers?
The Labour Market Test is a critical component of the job check process for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). It serves to ensure that the employer has genuinely advertised the job to New Zealanders and that there are no suitable New Zealand citizens or residents available to fill the position. However, jobs that pay twice the median wage or those on the green list of specific roles may not require this test. Labour market test is an essential step to assess the job’s market rate and suitability for hiring migrant workers.
4. What role does ANZSCO play in Job Checks?
ANZSCO codes are central to Job Checks. They influence everything from job requirements to salary and visa duration. ANZSCO levels 1, 2, and 3 can lead to five-year visas with potential residence pathways, while levels 4 and 5 offer three-year visas with stand-down periods. Selecting the wrong code can affect the Job Check, visa, and even the candidate’s residence pathway.
Choosing the wrong ANZSCO code can lead to Job Check delays or rejections. We highly recommend you consult a Licensed Immigration Adviser for expert alignment with ANZSCO classifications and immigration requirements.