Members have expressed early concern to RCSA around the latest set of changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). These changes have the potential to reduce access to much needed workers and make New Zealand less attractive for migrants looking to find a new country to live and work. The unexpected changes present significant challenge to migrants who moved to NZ on the understanding their role would be put on the green list but who now no longer have a pathway to permanent residency as anticipated. In addition, the acknowledgement that visa processing times are likely to extend is concerning for those industries which rely on overseas workers to fill significant labour market demand.
Changes to the AEWV are as follows:
- Introducing an English language requirement for migrants applying for low skilled level 4 and 5 roles
- A minimum skills and work experience threshold for most AEWV roles.
- For roles that fall into the level 4 and 5, employers will need to engage with Work and Income before approval to bring in migrants will be granted
- Reducing the maximum continuous stay for most level 4 and 5 roles from five years to three years
- The franchisee accreditation category will be disestablished and these businesses will be to apply to bring in workers from overseas through the standard, high-volume, or triangular employment accreditation
RCSA is working with members, including the NZ Industry Advocacy Working Group, to understand the implications of these changes for the labour market and for attracting workers to New Zealand. We are in the process of developing a firm position that outlines specific concerns and implications from the changes which we will use to advocate with key decision makers and in media. RCSA will take members’ views and insights to the meeting we have confirmed Immigration Minister Erica Stanford in the coming weeks.
New Zealand Immigration is hosting a webinar which will cover the changes to the AEWV scheme, on Wednesday, April 17th at 8am AEST. Registrations can be found through the link below:
Register for the webinar
If members would like to share their concerns or insights into how these changes are likely to impact on the ground, please share them with Lily Andrews in the Advocacy team on +61 448 332 610 or at [email protected]