NZ workforce requirements for the construction sector
From 27 November 2023, the workforce requirement for accredited labour hire employers placing AEWV holders in specific construction sector roles will be a minimum of 35% New Zealand citizens or residents in full-time employment.
From 27 November 2023, accredited employers who place AEWV holders with controlling third parties in specific construction occupations must have at least 35% of their workforce made up of New Zealand citizens or residents in full-time employment. This applies only to the construction occupations shown below.
We will assess the New Zealand workforce threshold at both the accreditation and Job Check stages.
Existing accredited employers will not lose their current accreditation because they do not meet the new 35% threshold. However, we will not approve a further Job Check until the new threshold is met.
Construction sector occupations affected
This minimum workforce requirements relates to the following occupations in the construction sector:
- Bricklayer
- Builder’s labourer
- Building insulation installer
- Carpenter
- Carpenter and joiner
- Concreter
- Construction rigger
- Crane chaser
- Drainage, sewerage and stormwater labourer
- Driller’s assistant
- Earthmoving labourer
- Fencer
- Fibrous plasterer
- Fitter (general)
- Floor finisher
- Glazier
- Home improvement installer
- Joiner
- Lagger
- Linemarker
- Metal fabricator
- Painting trades worker
- Paving and surfacing labourer
- Plumber’s assistant
- Railway track worker
For more information about these changes and why we are making them:
Changes to 90-day trial periods on Accredited Employer Work Visa and AEWV labour hire (triangular) employment threshold workers
Declaration for employers placing workers in these construction sector occupations
You must upload a signed declaration with your application to confirm the number of:
- employees your organisation currently places with controlling third parties, and
- NZ citizens or residents that work a minimum of 30 hours each week out of those employees.
If you do not upload it there may be a delay in processing your application.