Wage rate requirements for visas

AEWV jobs must pay at least NZD$29.66 an hour if the visa was granted after 27 February 2023, unless an exemption applies through a sector agreement. There is currently also a time-limited exemption for some tourism and hospitality roles.

This threshold is based on the median wage published by Stats NZ in June 2022.
Labour market statistics (income): June 2022 quarter — Stats NZ

If a job pays at least twice the February 2023 median wage, the employer does not need to advertise the job as part of their Job Check.

We approve a pay range at the Job Check stage, which must be at or above the pay threshold. The actual pay rate on the visa is determined at the visa application stage.

How we calculate pay rates for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

AEWV sector agreements

Some industries have an agreement, known as a 'sector agreement', that allows them to pay below the AEWV wage threshold when hiring a worker on an AEWV. However, they must meet a wage threshold, see tables 2.1 to 2.4 for the rates for each agreement.

AEWV roles exempt from paying the February 2023 median wage
Sector agreements and hiring migrants on an AEWV

To qualify for this visa, you need to:

• currently be paid at least NZD$28.25 an hour (or the equivalent salary)
• worked for 24 months in this sector, and
• been paid at least the care workforce sector wage rate during that time.

To qualify for this visa you need to have:

• worked for 24 months in this sector, and
• been paid at least the median wage (or the bus drivers wage rate, if applicable) during your work experience.

Transport Work to Residence Visa

Some roles were removed from the list of approved of transport sector roles on 7 April 2024.

You may still be able to count work experience gained from a removed role towards your residence visa, if on or before 6 April 2024 you:

• started work in one of these roles
• received an AEWV to work in one of these roles, or
• applied for an AEWV to work in one of these roles, and were successful in your application.

Transport Work to Residence Visa work requirements and roles

The jobs in Table 5 are on the Green List and provide residence through the Work to Residence Visa.

Green List roles that do not have a specific pay threshold must pay at least NZD$31.61 (the current median wage).

Green List roles

The jobs in Table 6 are on the Green List and provide residence through the Straight to Residence Visa.

Green List roles that do not have a specific pay threshold must pay at least NZD$31.61 (the current median wage).

Green List roles

To assess skilled work for the SMC we use:

• the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation (ANZSCO) list, and
• the median wage.

Check the wage rate threshold for SMC expressions of interests submitted after 9 October 2023.

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa wage rate thresholds

There is a minimum earning threshold for those wanting to sponsor their parents on a Parent Resident Visa. The sponsor must earn more than the threshold for 2 out of the 3 years preceding our selection of their expression of interest.

The threshold is:

• tied to the median wage
• depends on how any sponsors and parents are in the application.

The Parent Resident Visa is updated in February each year.

Sponsorship for Parent Resident Visa

AEWV and Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV) holders must be paid at least NZD$29.66 an hour to support their partner's application.

If your partner has an AEWV or ESWV

Your visa may have work conditions depending on how much your partner is paid and if their job is on the Green List.

If your partner earns between NZD$29.66 and NZD$59.31 an hour your work visa will have conditions. This means you can only work for an accredited employer and you must be paid at least the wage threshold for your role.

Your visa will have open work conditions if your partner:

• earns at least NZD$59.32 an hour, or
• works in a role on the Green List and meets the Green List requirements.

If you have open work conditions, you can work for any employer. You will not have a wage requirement.

Partner of a Worker Work Visa

Jobs for the Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa must pay NZD$25.47 an hour (110% of the minimum wage).

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.

Fishing crew employment conditions

This visa closed to new applications on 4 July 2022.

The median wage was used to set the requirements and conditions of the Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV).

Pay rates for existing Essential Skills Work Visas

The median wage rate for ESWV holders was paused. It does not increase in February each year.

ESWV holders must earn at least:

• NZD$29.66 an hour to support their partner's work visa application
• NZD$43,322.76 a year to support a student or visitor visa for their dependent children.