New Requirements for Accredited Employers
Effective Date: 7 October 2024
Date: 23 September 2024
Read Time: 2 minutes
Starting from 7 October 2024, accredited employers must engage directly with Work and Income for most ANZSCO Level 4 or 5 vacancies at the Job Check stage.
Key Changes:
- Direct Engagement: Employers will no longer be able to rely on immigration professionals to engage with Work and Income on their behalf. This change aims to ensure that employers genuinely assess the domestic labor market before considering hiring migrant workers, thereby enhancing the integrity of the Labour Market Test.
- Contact Requirement: Employers must provide Work and Income with a designated contact person responsible for hiring decisions. This could be a hiring manager, human resources manager, or owner/operator.
- Use of Recruitment Agencies: Employers can still collaborate with external organizations, such as recruitment agencies, for their engagement with Work and Income. However, these agencies must be involved in hiring decisions and cannot provide immigration advice regarding the Job Check application.
Purpose of the Change:
This adjustment is intended to improve the current processes by ensuring that those communicating with Work and Income are directly responsible for hiring or possess relevant knowledge about the type of employee needed. This will facilitate better engagement between employers and Work and Income, allowing for a more effective assessment of suitable and available New Zealanders for job roles.
Broader Context:
This change is part of a larger suite of adjustments the government is implementing to temporary work visa settings. These modifications address concerns raised by various sectors and aim to further strengthen the integrity of the immigration system.
