Wage rate requirements for visas
To qualify for some visas you must meet a wage rate requirement, or a 'wage threshold'. Check if you meet the wage threshold requirement for your visa.
Working in New Zealand
- Getting a job
- Qualifications for work
- Skilled work
- Starting a business: Entrepreneur Work Visa
- Work rights
- How long can you work in New Zealand for
- Pay rates for existing Essential Skills Work Visas
- Qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa
- Employing overseas entertainers
- List of ANZSCO occupations treated as an exception
- Green List, highly paid and care workforce skilled residence visas
- Wage rate requirements for visas
- Open work visa for former PSWV holders
- Check if an employer is accredited
What is a wage threshold
Wage thresholds are rates Immigration New Zealand (INZ) use to calculate entitlement to some visas. The wage threshold is the lowest amount you can be paid to be granted the visa, unless your role has an exemption.
We use wage thresholds as an indicator of the skill level of the job. The rates are updated regularly to keep up with inflation.
Median wage rate
The median wage we use is currently $29.66 an hour.
All thresholds are tied to the New Zealand median wage. This means when the median wage increases, the wage threshold for the visa will increase.
We update the median wage threshold amount every year in February. We use the June median wage from the previous year published by Stats NZ.
Labour market statistics (income): June 2022 quarter — Stats NZ
How much a job must pay to qualify for these visas
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
AEWV jobs must pay at least NZD$29.66 an hour (the current median wage), unless an exemption applies or they are part of a sector agreement.
If a job pays at least twice the median wage the employer does not need to advertise the job as part of their Job Check.
AEWV sector agreements
Some industries have an agreement, known as a 'sector agreement', that allows them to pay below the median wage when hiring a worker on an AEWV. However, they must meet a minimum wage threshold tied to the median wage rate.
These thresholds are updated in February each year at the same time as the median wage changes.
AEWV roles exempt from paying the median wage
Sector agreements and hiring migrants on an AEWV
| Sector | Wage rate an hour as of 27 Feb 2023 (in NZD) | Percentage of the median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and infrastructure | $26.69 | 90% |
| Meat processing | $25.51 | 86% |
| Seafood processing | $25.51 | 86% |
| Seasonal snow and adventure tourism |
$26.69 | 90% |
AEWV tourism and hospitality sector agreement
Under its sector agreement, the tourism and hospitality sector does not have to pay the median wage when hiring workers on AEWVs. The minimum amount these jobs must pay is increasing in steps.
Jobs must pay at least NZD$28.18 an hour, which is 95% of the median wage.
From 24 April 2024, these jobs must pay at least the median wage.
AEWV transport sector agreement — bus driver exemption
Bus driver roles are covered by the AEWV transport sector agreement and must pay at least NZD$28 an hour.
AEWV care workforce sector agreement
Under its sector agreement, the care workforce does not have to pay the median wage when hiring workers on AEWVs.
The pay rate under their sector agreement is based on the Ministry of Health's support worker's minimum wage rates.
Support Workers’ Minimum Wage Rates update — Ministry of Health
Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
One of the criteria to qualify for a Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa is your job must pay at least level 4b of the support workers’ minimum wage rate.
Support Workers’ Minimum Wage Rates update — Ministry of Health
Highly paid residence pathways
Jobs must pay at least NZD$59.32 an hour, or twice the median wage.
Green List Straight to Residence Visa and Work to Residence roles
The following jobs are on the Green List and provide residence through the Straight to Residence and Work to Residence Visas. The wage thresholds are calculated based on the median wage.
The wage rate and role requirements are on the Green List:
Green List roles
Straight to Residence Visa
| Roles | Wage rate an hour as of 27 Feb 2023 (in NZD) | Percentage of the median wage |
|---|---|---|
|
ICT, electronics and telecommunications |
$61.69 | 208% |
| ICT, electronics and telecommunications roles based on contract for services | $92.54 | 312% |
| Multimedia specialist | $48.94 | 165% |
| Multimedia specialist roles based on contract for services | $73.26 | 247% |
|
External auditor |
$38.56 |
130% |
|
Internal auditor |
$38.56 |
130% |
Work to Residence Visa
| Roles | Wage rate an hour as of 27 Feb 2023 (in NZD) | Percentage of the median wage |
|---|---|---|
|
Telecommunications technician |
$34.11 |
115% |
|
Civil machinery operators |
$34.11 |
115% |
|
Crane operator |
$38.56 |
130% |
|
Building associate |
$44.49 |
150% |
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
To assess skilled work for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa we use:
- the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation (ANZSCO) list, and
- the median wage.
How we assess skilled employment for Skilled Migrant Category Visas
| Roles | Wage rate an hour as of 27 Feb 2023 (in NZD) | Percentage of the median wage |
|---|---|---|
| ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 roles | $29.66 | 100% |
| ANZSCO skill level 4 to 5 roles | $44.49 | 150% |
| Role not listed in ANZSCO | $44.49 | 150% |
| Highly paid roles to meet the high remuneration threshold | $59.32 | 200% |
Parent Resident Visa
People wanting to sponsor their parents on a Parent Resident Visa must earn over the median wage for the Parent Resident Visa.
This threshold will be updated before the May 2023 Expression of Interest selection.
Sponsorship for Parent Resident Visa
Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa
Jobs for the Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa must pay at least the New Zealand minimum wage.
The minimum pay rate for this visa will change in October 2023. From October, jobs will need to pay at least NZD$24.97 an hour.
Essential Skills Visa
This visa is closed. The median wage used was the median wage in place when the person applied.
Pay rates for existing Essential Skills Work Visas
Fishing Crew Work Visa
Jobs for this visa are covered by the seafood (sea-based) sector agreement. The minimum pay rate under this sector agreement is calculated using the minimum wage.
The minimum pay rate for this visa is updated in October each year.