Last month, changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) came into effect, reshaping the landscape for many migrant workers and their families.
The updates affect how long you can stay, who you can bring with you, and what kind of pay you need to be offered. Here’s what you need to know.
Median Wage Requirement Replaced with Market Rate
Until now, most AEWV applicants needed to be paid at least the median wage, which currently sits at $29.66. But from 10 March 2025, that requirement was removed. Instead, applicants now only need to be offered the market rate for their specific occupation.
Corban Revell solicitor Rafi Sarker, who specialises in immigration, explains that this change means employers and workers are no longer tied to a fixed median wage. “Instead of being stuck with the median wage, employers now just need to offer the market rate for the role, which should make it easier to find migrant workers for positions that reflect what others in the industry are being paid,” he says.
A Pathway for Lower-Skilled Roles
The 2025 changes also introduce a new classification known as Appendix 7, which includes certain lower-skilled occupations such as cooks, scaffolders, and slaughterers.
Workers applying for AEWVs under these Appendix 7 roles will now be treated as if they are applying for an Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) Skill Level 3 position. This reclassification brings several key changes:
- Applicants will be eligible for a work visa of up to five years, rather than being limited to shorter durations.
- No English language test will be required as part of the application process.
- These visa holders will also be eligible to support partners on partnership visas and children on dependent visitor or student visas, as long as they meet any additional income or remuneration requirements tied to those visa types.
Rafi highlights that this change gives employers and workers more security, especially in industries that rely heavily on these roles. “By allowing for longer visa durations and removing the English language requirement, the new rules offer a clearer path for both workers and employers, making these critical roles more accessible,” he says.
Renewals Available for Existing AEWV Holders
There are provisions in place for those who already hold an AEWV, provided their visa application was lodged on or before 9 March 2025.
If you’re in this group, you may be able to apply for a further work visa using your existing job check token – the reference number that connects your visa application to an employer-approved job.
However, the conditions of the job must remain the same, meaning the same occupation, same employer, same remuneration, and same work location.
The duration of the new visa will depend on both the skill level of the role and the date you applied for your first AEWV. Depending on these factors, you may be granted a visa that extends your total time in New Zealand to up to three or five years.
More Stability, Less Confusion
“These changes are designed to offer more stability and less confusion for workers who are already in the system,” says Rafi. “It makes renewals a lot more straightforward, as long as the job conditions stay the same.”
While these changes provide more flexibility, understanding how they apply to your specific situation is important.
If you’re unsure about what the new AEWV settings mean for you or your family, feel free to get in touch with Rafi Sarker or Ritvik Roop for expert advice.