A number of changes will be made to the AEWV in March 2025. Changes will also be made to the median wage in February 2025.
In December 2024, the Government announced reforms to the AEWV. As a result of this, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will be rolling out a number of changes over the course of 2025. Phase 2 of these changes are as follows.
Remove the median wage requirement from AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV)
- From 10 March 2025, employers recruiting workers under the AEWV and seasonal SPWV policies will no longer be required to pay the median wage. Instead, there will be no set pay thresholds except the New Zealand minimum wage (currently NZD $23.15 an hour, increasing to NZD $23.50 an hour on 1 April).
- Sector Agreements which provided an exemption to the median wage will be removed alongside this change.
- Current AEWV holders should continue to be paid in line with their employment agreement and visa conditions.
Reducing the work experience requirement for migrants from 3 years to 2 years
- From 10 March 2025 the work experience requirement for migrants will be reduced from 3 years to 2 years.
- Employers still have to check that their migrant worker meets the threshold, and applicants will still need to provide evidence that they meet the 2-year threshold.
Amending the requirement for employers to engage with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD)
- From 10 March 2025 the requirement for employers to engage with the MSD will be now become declaration based.
- They will need to declare in good faith, that they have advertised lower skilled roles (ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5) with MSD and interviewed candidates who may be suitable for the role. Employers will be required to retain evidence of their engagement as they may be requested to provide it.
Increasing the visa duration for ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 AEWV holders to 3 years
From 10 March 2025 the visa length for new ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 AEWVs will be extended to 3 years, matching the total time they can stay in New Zealand on 1 or more AEWVs.
Increasing the income threshold for supporting dependent children
From 10 March 2025 the income threshold will be increased from an annual threshold of NZD $43,322.76 to NZD $55,844. This is 80% of the median wage (aligning with eligibility for partner work rights) based on an annual, 40-hour work week. It will be updated annually in line with changes to the median wage.
Recognition of higher ANZSCO skill levels
With INZ transitioning from the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) to the National Occupation List (NOL), there are differences with the classification of some roles.
So that applicants are not disadvantaged, from 10 March 2025 several occupations, including Cook (351411) will be treated as ANZSCO skill level 3 to align with their skill level in the NOL:
About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) — NZQA