There has been a change in immigration rules for accredited employers who hire migrant workers on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in New Zealand. The two changes are:
- Accredited employers are not allowed to use 90-day trial periods in employment agreements for AEWV holders, as this is considered unfair and exploitative. This rule applies to all job check applications submitted on or after 29 October 2023 but does not apply to existing AEWV holders or applicants who received a job check approval before that date.
- Accredited employers who are labour-hire firms in the construction sector must have at least 35% of their workforce made up of New Zealand citizens and residents in full-time employment, up from the current 15% threshold. This rule takes effect from 27 November 2023.
Employers who breach these rules risk losing their accreditation and facing penalties.
If this applies to you, please do not hesitate to contact us so we can answer any questions and update your agreements.
