New Zealand Expands Open Work Rights for Partners of Migrant Workers

23 October 2024

In a significant move to address labour shortages and keep families together, the New Zealand government announced changes (essentially - a reversal of its own restrictions) to provide open work rights to more partners of migrant workers. Effective from 2 December 2024, these changes will allow eligible partners to work for any employer in the country.

According to Immigration New Zealand, open work rights will be granted to:

• All partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders working in Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) Level 1-3 roles and earning at least NZD $25.29 per hour (80% of the standard median wage).

• Partners of AEWV holders earning at least $25.29 per hour if they were already supporting a partner for a work visa on 26 June 2024.

• All partners of Essential Skills work visa holders earning at least $25.29 per hour.

Additionally, partners of AEWV holders working in ANZSCO Level 4-5 roles will be eligible for open work rights if they are:

• Earning at least $47.41 per hour (150% of the standard median wage), or

• Earning at least $31.61 per hour in a role on the Green List and meeting the specific requirements for that role, or

• Earning at least $25.29 per hour (80% of the standard median wage) and fulfilling the criteria of a role in the Transport or Care Sector Agreements (or the wage specified in the sector agreement, whichever is higher).

ANZSCO grades occupations based on skill levels from 1 to 5, with Level 1 being the most skilled and Level 5 being less skilled.

Current holders of partner work visas with specific employment conditions can apply to vary their visa conditions to switch to open work rights if their partner meets any of the new eligibility criteria. Applications for a variation of conditions or a new work visa can be submitted starting from 2 December 2024.

These changes aim to attract and retain the workers New Zealand needs to fill gaps in sectors facing skill and labour shortages. By extending open work rights to more partners of migrant workers, the government hopes to enhance family unity and boost the nation's workforce.

This is a reversal of the restrictions imposed by INZ not that long ago,

Source: Immigration New Zealand