New Zealand – Open Work Rights for Migrant Workers’ Partners from December 2024

23 Oct 2024: The New Zealand Government has announced significant changes to the open work rights for partners of migrant workers, making it easier for families to stay together and ensuring that the country can fill critical gaps in sectors facing skill and labour shortages. These changes will come into effect on 2 December 2024 and will allow more partners of migrant workers to work for any employer across New Zealand.

This policy update will expand open work rights to the following groups:

Eligible Partners for Open Work Rights (Effective 2 December 2024)

  1. Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) Holders
    • Partners of AEWV holders working in ANZSCO Level 1-3 roles and earning at least NZD 25.29 per hour (80% of the median wage) will be eligible for open work rights.
    • Partners of AEWV holders earn at least $25.29 per hour if they were already supporting a partner’s work visa application as of 26 June 2024.
  2. Essential Skills Work Visa Holders
    • Partners of Essential Skills work visa holders earning at least $25.29 per hour will also qualify for open work rights.

Partners of AEWV Holders in Lower-Skilled Jobs

Partners of AEWV holders working in ANZSCO Level 4-5 roles will also be eligible for open work rights if they meet one of the following criteria:

  • Earning at least $47.41 per hour (150% of the median wage).
  • Earning at least $31.61 per hour in a job listed on the Green List and meeting the Green List’s role-specific requirements.
  • Earning at least $25.29 per hour (80% of the median wage) and fulfilling the requirements for roles in the Transport or Care Sector Agreements (or the sector agreement wage, whichever is higher).

ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) categorizes jobs based on skill levels, ranging from Level 1 (highly skilled) to Level 5 (low-skilled).

Government’s Vision for Economic Growth

The changes are aimed at supporting New Zealand’s economic growth by addressing skills shortages and helping migrant families remain united. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized that the updated immigration policy will offer greater flexibility for partners of AEWV holders in high-skilled roles while supporting the nation’s labour market needs.

“Our immigration system is essential to growing the economy. Starting from December, open work rights will be available to partners of AEWV holders in higher-skilled roles, earning at least 80% of the median wage,” said Minister Stanford.

Additional Information

For individuals already holding visas tied to specific employment, there is an option to apply for a variation of conditions on their visa to align with these new rules.

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