Employer Accreditation Key Criteria

Before applying for AEWV employer accreditation, it’s crucial to understand the different types of accreditation your business might require. There are three main types:

• Standard Accreditation: For businesses hiring up to 5 migrant workers at a time.
• High-Volume Accreditation: For businesses hiring 6 or more migrant workers at a time.
• Controlling Third-Party Accreditation: This is for businesses that place migrant workers with third-party companies but remain the direct employer in the employment agreement.

Businesses must satisfy at least one of the financial conditions mentioned below:

• Your business has not made a loss over the past 2 years.
• It has shown a positive cash flow for each month in the past 6 months.
• You have sufficient capital or external investment to ensure the business remains viable.
• You have a credible 2-year business plan, such as a revenue forecast or cash flow projection.

Additionally, your business must be registered with Inland Revenue, and you or any key members of your organization cannot be on the Labour Inspectorate’s or Immigration New Zealand’s stand-down list.

Trust, Partnership, or Sole Trader

If you are a sole trader, partnership, or trust, you must meet additional requirements, such as:

• Not being bankrupt or subject to a No Asset Procedure.
• Ensuring the business entity with a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) holds the accreditation.

Controlling Third Parties

If your business places workers with a controlling third party, you must have a history of placing staff in New Zealand for the past 12 months. Additionally, at least 15% of the staff placed must be New Zealand citizens or residents, working a minimum of 30 hours per week. For specific construction roles, this requirement rises to 35%.

When applying for accreditation, it’s essential to provide accurate and complete information and documents. This will ensure a smooth and efficient application process.
You will need the documents as listed below:

• Business IR Number and NZBN (New Zealand Business Number).
• Business Industry Classification (BIC) Code.
• Personal Documents: (in normal text) Full names, passport numbers, and dates of birth of key individuals in your organisation, along with their consent to provide this information.
• Financial Documents: Evidence that your business is viable and genuinely operating, such as financial statements, capital investment proof, or a credible business plan for the next 2 years.

Note: Some organizations, like New Zealand government departments or publicly listed companies with more than 100 employees, are exempt from providing financial evidence.

You may be asked to upload financial documents to show that your business meets one of the conditions as listed below:

• No financial loss over the last 24 months (before depreciation and tax).
• Positive cash flow for the last 6 months.
• Sufficient capital or external investment to ensure the business remains viable.

A credible 2-year business plan showing how your business will continue to operate, such as contracts or agreements for future work, is a crucial part of the application process. This emphasizes the importance of planning for the future of your business. Uploading these documents can help avoid delays during the assessment process.

If your business places migrant workers with a controlling third party, you must submit a declaration stating whether you are placing any workers into specific construction roles that require a 35% New Zealand workforce. This declaration is a crucial part of the application process, and failing to submit it may delay your application. It underscores the importance of transparency in the process.

1. Employer Accreditation
2. Fees for Employer Accreditation
3. Renew Your Employer Accreditation
4. Post Accreditation Checks for AEWV Employers