Accredited Employer: 5 facts to know about Job Check

Before delving into the details of Job Check, here is a quick rundown from Arunima Dhingra, CEO, Aims Global:

The Job Check step has been introduced as a part of the new three-gate process to ensure there are no suitable New Zealanders to do the job and that employers are offering attractive wages, so migrants are filling desirable and skilled jobs.  

We have put together five facts that employers need to know about the Job Check, which must be completed before a migrant can be invited to apply for the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). 

It is mandatory  

The Job Check is the second step in the new employer-led process, and it is mandatory to complete before businesses can support and hire migrant workers on AEWV. This gate will only be open to an employer once the first gate has been approved and the accreditation has been granted to the business by Immigration New Zealand. 

Provide evidence of advertising  

Before you start an application, you will need to have evidence of advertising for at least two weeks on the suitable national job listing websites, which will attract New Zealand applicants to apply. Immigration NZ must be convinced that an employer has made attempts to find suitable New Zealanders but has been unsuccessful and therefore is offering the role to a migrant worker. This process is called a Labour Market Test (LMT). However, no LMT is needed for jobs that pay twice the median wage or are on the Green List (and meet the requirements of the list). 

Jobs must pay the market rate 

For a migrant to be eligible and be invited to apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa, the employer must prove that their job is full-time (at least 30 hours a week), it must pay the market rate, and at least a median wage of $29.66 per hour. What this means is that even if a job is paid at median wage but does not meet the market rate for that occupation (which may be higher) then the job check may be declined.  

There are certain jobs in Construction and infrastructure, Seasonal snow and adventure tourism that are exempt from the median wage threshold and must pay at least $26.69 per hour and jobs in the Care workforce must pay at least $26.16 per hour. Exemptions also apply to Sector Agreement jobs in meat processing, seafood, seasonal snow, and adventure tourism sector.   

Can include multiple vacancies 

One Job Check can be done for multiple vacancies. The job terms and conditions must be the same - with the same occupation, pay, location, and minimum requirements.  So, if the title or duties of jobs or location varies, separate Job Checks must be created for those roles.  

It is valid for 6 months  

Each Job Check is valid for six months or until the employer no longer has a valid accreditation, whichever is earlier.  

If your accreditation is suspended for any reason, any current job checks you hold cannot be used to support an AEWV application. 

Job Check is just one complex part of the new three-gate Accredited Employer Work Visa system that kicked in on July 4 2022 and has been affecting all businesses that are planning to hire or retain their current migrant workers.

Are you still not an accredited employer? Simply fill out the form below and our team can help you with applications and guide you through the process, while you focus on running the business.