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Becoming an Accredited Employer in New Zealand: A Guide for Employers
If you’re an employer in New Zealand looking to hire skilled migrant workers, becoming an Accredited Employer could be a game-changer for your business. It’s an essential step in the process of hiring workers from overseas under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which was introduced to help employers fill roles in areas with skill shortages while ensuring fair treatment and protection for migrant workers.
But what does it mean to be an accredited employer, and how can you get accredited? In this blog, we’ll walk you through the accreditation process and share the benefits of becoming an accredited employer in New Zealand.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a formal process where an employer is approved by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to hire migrant workers through the AEWV system. As part of this process, employers must meet specific requirements to prove that they follow fair employment practices and comply with New Zealand’s immigration laws.
Becoming an accredited employer is a way to show your commitment to being a responsible and ethical employer. It ensures that your company can recruit workers from overseas and offer them valid, legal work opportunities in New Zealand.
Why Become an Accredited Employer?
There are several key benefits to becoming accredited:
Access to a Broader Talent Pool: Accreditation gives you the ability to hire skilled migrants who might not otherwise be able to work in New Zealand. This is especially beneficial in industries facing labor shortages where local talent is scarce.
Being an accredited employer can give your business a competitive edge. It signals to both employees and clients that your business is trustworthy, responsible, and follows fair, ethical hiring practices. This is especially important in industries where attracting top talent is crucial. It also helps with staff retention, as migrants know they are working for a reputable employer with a commitment to their wellbeing
Sustained Workforce: By becoming accredited, employers can offer their migrant workers longer-term opportunities, increasing staff retention and reducing turnover.
Enhanced Reputation: Being an accredited employer signals to your employees and clients that you value ethical hiring practices and comply with New Zealand’s labor laws, enhancing your company’s reputation.
Steps to Becoming an Accredited Employer
If you’re considering becoming an accredited employer, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Step 1: Check the Eligibility Criteria
Before you apply, ensure that your business meets the requirements for accreditation. To be eligible, your business must:
Be a genuine, active business registered with New Zealand’s Companies Office.
Meet the minimum business standards, which include having good employment practices, being financially stable, and meeting other obligations under New Zealand law.
Be compliant with the Employment Relations Act and other relevant regulations.
Not have a history of breaching immigration laws or employing workers in exploitation.
Step 2: Gather the Necessary Documents
You’ll need to provide supporting documents as part of your accreditation application. These documents may include:
Proof of your business’s financial stability (e.g., financial statements).
Evidence of your employment practices (e.g., contracts, policies, health and safety protocols).
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Once you have all the required documents, you can submit your application for accreditation through the Immigration New Zealand website. There are two types of accreditation you can apply for:
Standard Accreditation: Suitable for most employers who want to hire migrants under the AEWV.
High-Volume Accreditation: For employers who regularly recruit large numbers of migrant workers (e.g., in sectors like agriculture or hospitality).
The application process involves paying a fee, which varies depending on the type of accreditation you are seeking.
Step 4: Wait for Approval
Once submitted, INZ will assess your application. The review process can take a few weeks, and INZ may request additional information if needed. If everything is in order and your business meets the criteria, you’ll receive accreditation status.
Step 5: Comply with Ongoing Obligations
After you’ve been granted accreditation, you’ll need to maintain your status by meeting ongoing requirements, including:
Regularly reviewing and updating employment practices to ensure they comply with New Zealand’s labor laws.
Tracking and reporting on your migrant workers to ensure they are employed in accordance with the terms of their visas.
Being open to audits by INZ to ensure that your practices align with the requirements for accreditation.
What Happens Next?
Once accredited, your business can apply for Job Checks for the skilled migrant workers you want to hire. You’ll need to ensure that your job offers meet certain criteria, including offering competitive wages and appropriate employment conditions that align with New Zealand’s market rates.
In addition, you’ll be required to comply with the new AEWV policies, such as ensuring your migrant employees are paid at least the New Zealand minimum wage (currently NZD $23.15 per hour, increasing to NZD $23.50 from 1 April 2025).
At Kawarau Immigration we can help your company to become accredited and apply for job checks to allow you to employ overseas workers. Contact us at jules@kawarauimmigration.co.nz or click here to organise a consultation.
