The Great March Makeover: Meet the New Look AEWV

Elly Fleming

14 March 2025

Our blog post in January outlined a series of changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, set to roll out across 2025, with significant updates scheduled for March and April. Many migrants and their employers have been waiting with bated breath for the 10 March changes to take effect. That day has now been and gone. The second phase of changes is now firmly in place, and the April updates are on the horizon.

Let’s delve into this policy makeover and explore how this major AEWV facelift will, on the one hand, make things easier and faster for employers and migrant workers moving forward, and on the other hand, create a couple of fish hooks.

So, what has changed?

We waved goodbye to the median wage requirement

Previously, employers sponsoring AEWV holders were required to pay wages at or above the median wage. As of 10 March, this requirement has been removed. Instead, the only pay threshold is now New Zealand’s legal minimum wage (NZD $23.15 per hour, increasing to NZD $23.50 per hour from 1 April). However, employers must ensure that wages offered under AEWVs align with market rates for specific roles and locations.

Under the revised policy, immigration officers need to closely look at the market rate requirement when assessing Job Check applications to ensure Kiwi employers are not undermining the wages and conditions of New Zealand workers. These assessments will be highly discretionary with immigration officers being able to take into consideration various market rate sources. To avoid the risk of not meeting this requirement we recommend employers seek advice prior to lodging their Job Check applications. 

It is important to note that current AEWV holders need to continue to be paid in line with their existing employment agreements and visa conditions.

We welcomed a longer visa duration for ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 roles

The new policy extends the validity of an AEWV to three years for workers in roles classified under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) skill levels 4 and 5. This extension provides greater job security and stability for both employees and employers. It also matches the total time the visa holder can stay in New Zealand on one or more AEWVs (their maximum continuous stay).

We saw a reduction in the work experience requirement

The required work experience for AEWV applicants has decreased from three years to two years irrespective of the ANZSCO level of the roles, making it easier for skilled migrant workers to qualify and thereby widening the candidate pool.  This could help address labour shortages, especially in industries with high demands for certain skills.

A higher income threshold for supporting dependent children was introduced

To ensure AEWV holders earn enough to support their dependents without financial strain, workers who wish to bring dependent children to New Zealand now face a higher income threshold. The requirement has increased from NZD $43,322.76 to NZD $55,844 per year (80% of the median wage based on an annual 40-hour work week). This threshold will be updated annually in line with changes to the median wage.

The previous income threshold will continue to apply where a child held a visa or had applied for a visa before 10 March 2025.

We have just learnt that more stringent health requirements for dependent children of temporary visa holders are coming into effect from 17 March. Children with severe developmental disorders or severe cognitive impairment will not be able to meet the health criteria.

Some positions are now classified at a higher ANZSCO skill level making Job Checks & AEWV applications easier

As Immigration New Zealand transitions from ANZSCO to the National Occupation List (NOL), some roles have been reclassified. The following occupations are now classified as ANZSCO skill level 3:

• Cook
• Pet groomer
• Kennel hand
• Nanny
• Fitness instructor
• Scaffolder
• Slaughterer

Further to this, four roles now qualify as skill level 3 if the employer requires three years of experience or a Level 4 qualification:

• Agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operator
• Excavator operator
• Forklift driver
• Mobile plant operators

For employers this means that they would not be required to engage with Work and Income, thereby simplifying the Job Check process.

For migrant workers in these roles this means they will not need to meet the English language requirements, making their AEWV applications more straightforward and faster to process.

Employer engagement with Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) has been simplified

Employer engagement with WINZ has shifted to a declaration-based process. Employers hiring for ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5 roles must declare in good faith that they have advertised with WINZ and interviewed suitable candidates. While pre-approval is no longer required, employers must retain evidence of their engagement, as it may be requested. Employers need to bear in mind that providing false and misleading information to INZ can result in loss of accreditation status.

What’s coming in April?

In April, AEWV applicants with a work visa or a student visa that includes work rights will receive interim work rights while their application is processed, allowing them to continue working or to commence in a new position before an AEWV has been granted.

Employers and migrant workers need to be certain about work rights on interim visas. Often this area is unclear, and mistakes can easily be made. We highly recommend seeking advice since breaching interim visa conditions can have serious implications for visa holders and their employers.

Time spent on an interim visa with work rights will also count toward a migrant’s total continuous stay under the AEWV and contribute to the work experience required for work-to-residence pathways.

Talk to us

Policy changes can be difficult to navigate. We advise AEWV applicants and their employers to carefully assess their specific situation against the updated requirements. Our immigration team is here to help you understand these changes. We offer an initial, free 15-minute consultation to discuss your unique situation.

Book your consultation with us today by clicking here.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is of a general nature and is not intended as legal advice. It is important that you seek legal advice that is specific to your circumstances.