Sector Agreements
The Government has announced details of the Sector Agreements for:
- Care Workforce with 2-year Work to Residence pathway
- Transport
- Construction and Infrastructure
- Meat Processing
- Seafood (onshore)
- Seafood (sea-based)
- Seasonal Snow and Adventure Tourism
These Sector Agreements provide limited exceptions to the median wage requirement when hiring migrants on an Accredited Employer Work Visa for certain occupations (and the Fishing Crew Work Visa for fishing crew), in exchange for ongoing improvements within these sectors.
Each sector agreement has different requirements around duration of the agreement, number of workers allowed, wage threshold and visa duration.
- Number of migrant workers permitted: Uncapped
- Wage threshold: NZD $26.16/hr (Level 3 rate)
- Maximum visa duration & stand downs: 3 years for roles paid from NZD $26.16, or 5 years for roles paid from NZD $28.25 (Level 4 rate). After that, a stand down period will apply and migrant won't be able to apply for another AEWV paying below median wage for at least 12 months
- Occupations:
- Aged and Disabled Carers
- Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant
- Disabilities Services Officer
- Diversional Therapist
- Kaiāwhina (Hauora) (Māori Health Assistant)
- Nursing Support Worker
- Personal Care Assistant
- Residential Care Officer
- Therapy Aide
- Care workers who are paid at least NZD $28.25/hr (Level 4 rate) will be able to apply for residence from 29 September 2023 if they have completed the 2 years of work requirements
- Number of migrant workers permitted: Uncapped
- Wage threshold: NZD $28/hr
- Maximum visa duration & stand downs: 3 years. After that, a stand down period will apply and migrant won't be able to apply for another AEWV paying below median wage for at least 12 months
- Occupation: Bus driver
- Number of migrant workers permitted: Uncapped
- Wage threshold: NZD $26.69/hr
- Maximum visa duration & stand downs: Up to 2 years at below February 2023 median wage ($29.66/hr). After 2 years, a stand down period will apply and migrant won't be able to apply for another AEWV paying below median wage for at least 12 months
- Occupations:
- Fibrous Plasterer
- Fitter (General)
- Fitter-Welder
- Metal Fabricator
- Painting Trades Worker
- Solid Plasterer
- Wall and Floor Tiler
- Welder
- Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
- Bricklayer
- Builder’s Labourer
- Carpenter
- Carpenter and Joiner
- Landscape Gardener
- Drainage, Sewerage and Stormwater Labourer
- Roof Tiler
- Glazier
- Plumber’s Assistant
- Roof Plumber
- Painting Trades Worker (repeated)
- Floor Finisher
- Stonemason
- Number of migrant workers permitted: capped at 320/year for 2 years
- Wage threshold: NZD $25.51/hr
- Maximum visa duration & stand downs: Up to 7 months at below February 2023 median wage (currently $29.66/hr). After 7 months, a 4 month stand down period will apply and the migrant won’t be able to apply for another AEWV paying below median wage work until the next season
- Occupations: Meat Process Worker, including red meat and pork processing
- Number of migrant workers permitted: capped at 600/year for 2 years
- Wage threshold: NZD $25.51/hr
- Maximum visa duration & stand downs: Up to 7 months at below February 2023 median wage (currently $29.66/hr). After 7 months, a 4 month stand down period will apply and the migrant won’t be able to apply for another AEWV paying below median wage work until the next season
- Occupations: Seafood Process Worker
- Duration: Cap to remain indefinitely
- Number of migrant workers permitted: capped at 940/year
- Wage threshold: NZD $26.70/hr
- Maximum visa duration & stand downs: Up to 12 months (status quo). No stand down
- Occupations: All roles currently covered by the Foreign Fishing Crew (FFC) visa
- Number of migrant workers permitted: uncapped
- Wage threshold: NZD $26.69/hr
- Maximum visa duration & stand downs: Up to 7 months. Multiple AEWVs below median wage can be granted to allow for movement between roles across seasons
- Occupations:
- Mountain and Glacier Guides
- Outdoor Adventure Guides not elsewhere classified
- Outdoor Adventure Instructors
- Parachute Rigger and Ski Technician (within ANZSCO Technicians and Trades Workers not elsewhere classified)
- Ski Technician
- Snow Groomers (within ANZSCO Mobile Plant Operators not elsewhere classified)
- Snow Maker (within ANZSCO Stationary Plant Operators not elsewhere classified)
- Snowsport Instructors
- Whitewater Rafting Guides
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