RCSA, the peak body for recruitment, consulting and staffing in New Zealand, has welcomed changes announced by government yesterday to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) for 2025.
RCSA’s CEO, Charles Cameron, said the changes demonstrated the government had heard industry concerns around key pain points that exist within the AEWV. He said business would be pleased the changes prioitised streamlining and improving processes associated with bringing skilled workers into New Zealand to support key infrastructure projects and the broader economy.
Key outcomes, including the reduction of domestic workforce requirements for certain construction occupations and measures to streamline visa processing, mark an important step forward for both private and public sector construction projects, which continue to face labour shortages.
Under the new changes, the domestic workforce requirement for triangular employers hiring specific construction roles will move back into line with workforce requirements for other occupation types from 2025. This shift acknowledges the challenges faced by employers in sourcing local talent for critical roles and allows for greater flexibility in filling gaps with skilled international workers.
“These changes represent a crucial outcome for our members, particularly those operating in construction and infrastructure,” says RCSA CEO Charles Cameron
“Reducing the domestic workforce requirement will help accelerate construction projects across both the private and public sectors, alleviating delays caused by labour shortages and ensuring critical work progresses efficiently.”
In addition to the construction workforce relief, RCSA also commends the focus on streamlining AEWV processes and addressing known pain points. Immigration New Zealand’s commitment to operational redesign will allow for faster visa processing, particularly for lower-risk employers and applications. With processing delays being a key concern for many employers, this outcome has been widely welcomed across the recruitment industry.
Further positive changes announced include:
A reduction in experience requirements for migrant workers from three years to two, effective March 2025.
The removal of the median wage requirement, replaced with a reliance on New Zealand’s minimum wage and market rates.
An increase in visa duration for ANZSCO Level 4-5 roles to three years, effective March 2025.
MSD requirements transitioning to a declaration-based system, removing the need for evidential documentation during the Job Check process.
“These reforms reflect the government’s responsiveness to industry feedback,” says Cameron.
“The reduction in red tape, alongside streamlined processes and clearer pathways for skilled international workers, will greatly benefit employers, recruiters and key sectors struggling with labour shortages. The emphasis on practical solutions, such as experience requirement reductions and increased visa durations, demonstrates a clear understanding of workforce needs in our current economic environment.”
RCSA is keen to see how these changes, and the reduction in red tape, will positively impact the labour market by improving workforce accessibility, boosting productivity,and supporting critical projects.
“We look forward to watching how this unfolds over the coming year and will continue to monitor and work alongside Immigration New Zealand to ensure the reforms are implemented effectively.”
About RCSA – RCSA is the peak industry body for recruitment and staffing in Australia and New Zealand representing over 1400 Corporate and Individual Members.
RCSA promotes and facilitates professional practice in recruitment and staffing. It sets benchmarks for industry standards through representation, education, research and advisory support to member businesses and professionals who are bound by the RCSA Code for Professional Conduct. RCSA’s StaffSure certification program helps business, government, and workers to identify and partner with professional staffing organisations.
RCSA is a proud member of the World Employment Confederation, the voice of the employment industry globally, representing labour market enablers across 50 countries.
