Kia ora all,
In brief, here is a roundup of key points employers should be aware of if employing or hiring international staff;
1. From flood to drought again
2025 is well underway and the outlook is positive with a rebound in economic growth forecast. Net migration peaked and has now plummeted to near record lows.
Acute labour market shortages seem very likely to return over the next 12-18 months. There are real shortages of skilled staff in many regions already, and we are seeing employers looking to international labour to fill the gaps again.
2. Back to the Beginning: Wage Rate Changes
Wage rates for international workers seeking Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV) are pegged to drop back to market rate again – no more median wage requirements! This change will be a welcome relief for many employers, and will come in from March 2025.
Note the changes will not apply to current work visa holders.
3. Fast Track Accreditation
Employer Accreditation is now 3 years old and well established.
With a savvy new Minister of Immigration at the helm, INZ is getting itself together at last and the Employer Accreditation scheme is now being simplified and sped up, with smart changes to streamline it and make it workable.
There is an intention to shift to fast-tracking of applications submitted by ‘trusted employers’ – employers who have maintained their accreditation, have sound and consistently compliant employment practices and meet financial viability.
For this reason, we recommend you keep your Employer Accreditation valid and up to date. We can assist with meeting compliance requirements and ensure your application or renewal process is swift.
Also, if your Employer Accreditation has lapsed and you need to see it again, we can resolve this quickly and easily. Just give us a call and we can run through what’s needed.
4. INZ Surprise Audits
Immigration New Zealand has discarded some of the ridiculous compliance requirements that were introduced with Employer Accreditation, such as showing time was given for staff to complete the Employment New Zealand modules. Engagement with Work and Income is still required for lower skilled jobs, but proof of this with a letter from WINZ is no longer required. Such changes are very welcome to speed up application renewal processes.
However, with these changes comes a shift to post-accreditation audits by INZ to ensure compliance has been met and declarations are accurate. With increased funding at INZ for compliance audits, surprise audits are becoming more common. Make sure you keep on track and have your papers in order!
