RSE status requirements for employers
These are the requirements you agree to as an employer applying for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) status.
Note
Improvements were made to the RSE scheme on 2 September 2024. Learn more about what these changes mean for RSE employers and workers.
When you sign your RSE status application it means you agree to:
- site visits to decide on your RSE status application and monitor compliance
- letting us contact government organisations, unions, agencies and industry bodies to confirm your compliance with employment, health and safety, and immigration laws
- ensure your RSE status is up-to-date before applying for an Agreement to Recruit (ATR)
- try and recruit New Zealanders for any positions before hiring from overseas
- list your position vacancies with Work and Income before applying for an ATR
- ensure any contractor working with your RSE workers also has good workplace practices
- ensure all employees involved in the recruitment or management of RSE workers complete all Employment New Zealand employer e-modules (each time your RSE status is approved)
Employment New Zealand employer e-modules - provide evidence, if we request it, your employees required to complete the Employment New Zealand employer e-modules have done so
- provide with your ATR application a copy of the employment agreement you will offer RSE workers
Minimum requirements for an RSE worker employment agreement - give us details, if we ask, of any payments to you from RSE workers (including payments for airfares, accommodation and other pastoral care)
RSE worker voluntary deductions - only use recruitment agents who will not charge your RSE worker
- set up a support package for your worker — this is called 'pastoral care'
Pastoral care for RSE workers - arrange suitable accommodation for your workers — check if restrictions apply to you because of the region you are in
Providing accommodation for RSE workers - tell us as soon as possible if you suspend or dismiss an RSE worker
- pay to us any repatriation costs
Pay repatriation costs to send RSE workers back home - let us know the expected departure dates for your RSE workers once you have booked outward flights for them
- ensure your RSE worker has full-time work while in New Zealand on their RSE Limited Visa either with you or in a joint agreement.