How to become an accredited employer

Want to employ migrants from overseas? Idesi Legal Accredited employer guide 

The AEWV is designed to ensure New Zealanders are first in line for jobs. However, where genuine skill or labour shortages exist, accredited employers can hire skilled migrants.

The accredited employer work visa [AEWV] is a significant shift from the work visas employers had previously utilised. It has replaced six other visas, including the Essential Skills Work Visa, the immigration path for many of our skilled workers. 

Hiring migrants on the AEWV

There are three steps to hiring a migrant on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). 

• First, the organisation must become an accredited employer. 
• Once approved they can then apply for the job check.
• When those two steps have been successfully completed, the employer can make an offer of employment to a migrant worker who can then submit their application for an AEWV.

Idesi Legal can guide businesses on how to become an accredited employer and ensure that the Immigration NZ thresholds are met.

This guide outlines the steps employers on how to become an accredited employer and the requirements they need to meet.

Becoming an Accredited Employer

The first step is to determine the type of accreditation required for your business. There are three levels of accreditation:

• Standard Accreditation: For employers who hire between 1 and 5 migrant workers in a year. The initial accreditation lasts for 12 months, with a 24-month renewal period.
• High-Volume Accreditation: For employers who hire 6 or more migrant workers in a year. The initial accreditation lasts for 12 months, with a 24-month renewal period.
• Labour Hire Employer Accreditation and Franchises: For labour hire companies or employers who have limited control over cost pressures. The initial accreditation lasts for 12 months, with a 12-month renewal period.

The next step in becoming an accredited employer is proving you are in good financial standing and have good workplace practices.

All employers wanting to hire migrants on AEWVs must meet the minimum accreditation criteria:

• Have a business IRD number and a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN). 
• Not be on a non-compliant stand-down list, which is a list of employers who have broken employment law.
• Comply with any relevant industry or regulatory standards.
• Have no history of non-compliance in their dealings with Immigration New Zealand.
• Be in a financially sustainable position.

To become an accredited employer, employers must submit themselves to several rounds of checks. 

Accreditation requires employers to prove their commitment to employee training, financial sustainability, compliance with employment law practices, and sound HR and recruiting processes. This includes employment documentation, health and safety practices, employee well-being, training, and career progression. 

The majority of applications will be assessed based on your declarations and automated checks against publicly available information or information held by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE).

If INZ are not satisfied you meet the requirements, or if they want more information to assess your application, they will contact you.

Once accredited, employers can apply for job checks 

Once you become an accredited employer, you must apply for a job check for each job where you wish to hire a migrant worker. 

The job check confirms:

• The job pays the market rate and meets wage thresholds applicable under the relevant job check pathway.
• The job’s terms and conditions comply with New Zealand employment laws and standards.
• The job is for a minimum of 30 hours a week.
• You have advertised the job to New Zealanders if you need to.

The job check verifies that no New Zealanders are available to do the job and ensures the validity of the terms of employment, such as pay rates, hours per week, or minimum competency requirements. A new job check application is required for each position an employer wishes to hire a migrant for.

What employers need to be aware of in the job check 

Employers will need to advertise for a minimum of two weeks on a recognised national employment website. The wording of the advertisement must also not deter New Zealanders. The job also needs to be registered and a fee of $610 paid.

It is important to get it right when advertising for these new roles. Please contact Idesi Legal if you need assistance. Our immigration team can manage all the details throughout the entire process. We can connect with you online and work with you using video calls. 

Applying for a Work Visa 

With a job check approved, migrant workers can then apply for a work visa. INZ will check to see if the migrant worker meets all requirements of the new work visa, including skills and experience for the job, character, and health. Only once the worker’s visa is approved can they be hired. Call us on 09-283 0157 and we can help you with this process.

Employer Accreditation is not just a box-ticking exercise 

All companies wanting to recruit migrants will have to be accredited, proving they are compliant, and are genuine businesses that allow staff to learn about their work rights. We do not think employers should underestimate the work involved. This is why we strongly recommend that employers seek support when employing migrant workers on Accredited Employer Work Visas. 

If you can’t make it to our Auckland office to see us personally, we can connect with you online. Call us on 09-283 0157 to set up a meeting. We specialise in New Zealand immigration law. We will guide you on how to become an accredited employer and successfully welcome migrant staff to your business.

Support with employing migrants in New Zealand

Talk to one of our experienced immigration lawyers about pathways to employing migrants in New Zealand. IDESI LEGAL has successfully represented people through all types of visa application processes and the IDESI LEGAL team will be able to help.