New Zealand 2025 Job Market outlook

As we gaze into the future of 2025, New Zealand’s job market is poised for transformative shifts that promise to reshape the employment landscape across the country. A convergence of global economic pressures, the rapid evolution of various industries, and the introduction of new government policies is prompting us to reflect on what lies ahead for career opportunities. In this dynamic climate, several key trends are emerging that will likely influence New Zealand’s economic outlook and, in turn, the job …

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Changes to the Post Study Work Visa (PSWV)

Immigration New Zealand has made changes to the way they assess eligibility for a post-study work visa. The change is positive and expands eligibility to students who have undertaken subsequent qualifications. What changes for the post-study work visa? To be eligible for a post-study work visa, applicants must complete a New Zealand qualification that has been pursued full-time in New Zealand for the necessary minimum duration (depending on the course). They must also submit their application within the specified timeframe …

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Employer accreditation, Job Check and AEWV processing times

Immigration New Zealand has released updated processing times for certain categories of applications submitted in October 2024. By adopting a new triage and grouping methodology, INZ is now able to provide more accurate estimations of their application processing times, depending on a number of factors. Grouping applications by type, sector, or skill level, Immigration New Zealand increases their ability to process those most important applications in a timely manner. What impacts processing time? Incomplete applications naturally slow down processing times …

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Streamlined immigration process following business sale and restructure

The New Zealand government has implemented significant revisions to the accreditation process and the Job Check protocol aimed at streamlining the experience for employers and holders of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) during events such as business sales, mergers, or restructures. These changes are part of a broader initiative to enhance efficiency within the AEWV framework, ensuring that processing times are minimised for all parties involved. Starting from 6 November 2024, important new guidelines will come into effect: 1. …

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Open work rights for partners of migrant workers

Open work rights will be available to more partners of migrant workers from 2 December 2024. WATCH ON YOUTUBE What is changing and who is benefiting? The government is taking steps to expand work opportunities for partners of migrant workers, enabling them to work for any employer. This initiative aims to position New Zealand as an appealing and supportive destination for highly skilled migrants and their families, while addressing skills shortages in vital sectors such as healthcare and education. These …

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Australia and New Zealand Introduce New Occupation Lists for Work Visas

Australia and New Zealand are in the process of introducing updated occupation classification systems to simplify the visa application process for international workers. New Zealand will be implementing the National Occupation List (NOL), while Australia will be launching the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) to replace the current ANZSCO system. The intention is partly to streamline the issuance of visas for foreign workers by introducing tailored occupation classification systems that align with their respective labour market requirements. This move …

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Longer visas for partners of new Zealanders

The Government has revised the maximum duration for partnership work and visitor visas for partners of New Zealand citizens or holders of residence class visas. The duration has been extended from 2 years to 3 years. This is very good news and will provide some peace of mind for migrants whose 2-year partnership visa may sometimes appear too short to secure residency. What has changed? Up until now, the maximum duration of a partnership-based temporary (work or visitor) visa a …

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Extra requirements for AEWV employers in Triangular employment

Immigration New Zealand is issuing a warning to triangular employers about the potential breaches of employment agreements and immigration accreditation rules if they place migrant workers with another triangular employer. What has triggered this warning? It has come to the attention of Immigration New Zealand that a few triangular employers have been engaging in the practice of placing their migrant workers with other triangular employers, who may then place these workers elsewhere. This practice is concerning for several reasons: Responsibility …

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Migrant School Leavers To Get Part-time Work Rights

What is changing? The Government has unveiled new measures to offer migrant children leaving school an opportunity to work and contribute to the New Zealand economy. More specifically, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford revealed that part-time work rights will be expanded for those waiting on family residence application decisions. Many young people who are part of a family residence application process are unable to work. They can remain on visitor visas for long periods of time because they can’t afford international …

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Government to ease skills requirements for certain roles

What is changing? The Government is making temporary adjustments that ease skills requirements for certain types of role. The changes are meant to make it easier for employer to attract migrant workers in certain industries and roles, and are part of a broader review of the AEWV scheme to ensure its effectiveness. In essence, some roles in specific sectors will be exempt from the AEWV minimum skill requirement under the following conditions. The minimum skills requirement policy was introduced in …

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