Details of Sector Agreements for specific AEWV occupations announced21 August 2022
The Government has announced details of the sector agreements for a number of industries.
The Government has announced details of the sector agreements for:
the care workforce
construction and infrastructure
meat processing
seafood, and
seasonal snow and adventure tourism.
These changes will come into effect from October 2022.
The sector agreements were signalled in the Government’s Immigration Rebalance announcement. They will allow limited exceptions to the median wage requirements for hiring migrants on an Accredited Employer Work Visa in specific occupations.
The settings include pay rates, timeframes and relevant roles. They were developed in consultation with key sector bodies, unions and government agencies. They have been tailored to the specific workforce needs and conditions.
Each agreement includes expectations for improvement, including the implementation of Workforce Transition Plans and Industry Transformation Plans for sectors that have these. Performance against these will be monitored and feed into reviews and decisions about future access to migrants below the median wage.
The Minister of Immigration will write to sector bodies and unions specifying these expectations.
Lower thresholds already in place for a number of care and construction roles will continue until the sector agreements come into force from 31 October 2022.
Sector agreements
Care workforce
Agreement duration: 2 years, ending October 2024
Number of workers: uncapped
Maximum visa duration: Up to 2 years at Level 3 in the pay arrangement
Stand downs: After 2 years a stand down period will apply and the migrant won’t be able to apply for another AEWV paying below the Level 4 rate for at least 12 months.
Wage threshold: NZD $26.16 (equivalent and indexed to the Level 3 rate in the pay legislation – however, should this lapse and not be replaced, the rate at that time will be maintained and indexed to median wage to increase over time)
Occupations included: Kaiāwhina (Hauora) (Māori Health Assistant), Disabilities Services Officer, Residential Care Officer, Aged and Disabled Carers, Nursing Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant, Therapy Aide, Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant,
Diversional Therapist
Construction and Infrastructure
Agreement duration: 2 years, ending October 2024
Number of workers: Uncapped
Maximum visa duration: Up to 2 years at below median wage
Stand downs: After 2 years a stand down period will apply and the migrant won’t be able to apply for another AEWV paying below median wage for at least 12 months.
Wage threshold: NZD $25.00 (updated each year to reflect changes in the median wage to maintain its relative value, i.e. 90 percent of the median wage)
Occupations included: Metal fabricator, Welder, Fitter-Welder, Fitter (General), Painting Trades Worker, Fibrous Plasterer, Solid Plasterer, Wall and Floor Tiler, AC and Refrigeration Mechanic, Bricklayer, Builder’s Labourers, Carpenter, Carpenter and Joiner, Landscape Gardener, Drainage, Sewerage and Stormwater Labourer, Roof Tiler, Glazier, Plumber’s Assistant, Roof Plumber, Painting Trade Workers, Floor Finishers, and Stonemasons
Meat Processing
Agreement duration: 2 years, to be replaced with a Pacific Programme to be set up in 2024
Number of workers: 320 per year for 2 years
Maximum visa duration: Up to 7 months.
Stand downs: Cannot be issued another AEWV for below median wage work until the next season.
Wage threshold: NZD $24.00 (updated each year to reflect changes in the median wage to maintain its relative value, i.e. 86 percent of the median wage)
Occupations included: Meat Process Worker, including red meat and pork processing
Seafood (onshore)
Agreement duration: 2 years, to be replaced with a Pacific Programme to be set up in 2024
Number of workers: 600 per year for 2 years
Maximum visa duration: Up to 7 months.
Stand downs: Cannot be issued another AEWV for below median wage work until the next season
Wage threshold: NZD $24.00 (updated each year to reflect changes in the median wage to maintain its relative value, i.e. 86 percent of the median wage)
Occupations included: Seafood Process Worker
Seafood (sea-based)
Agreement duration: Cap to remain indefinitely
Number of workers: 940 per year
Maximum visa duration: Up to 12 months (status quo)
Stand downs: No stand downs
Wage threshold: October 2022: Minimum wage + NZD $4 per hour (currently NZD $25.20 per hour), October 2023: Minimum wage + NZD $5 per hour, October 2024: Minimum wage + NZD $6 per hour, October 2025: median wage as at date.
Occupations included: All roles currently covered by the Foreign Fishing Crew (FFC) visa
Seasonal Snow and Adventure Tourism
Agreement duration: Until February 2025
Number of workers: Uncapped
Maximum visa duration: Up to 7 months.
Stand downs: Multiple AEWVs below median wage can be granted to allow for movement between roles across seasons.
Wage threshold: October 2022: NZD $25.00, Feb 2023: 90% median wage, Feb 2024: 95% median wage, Feb 2025: median wage as at date.
Occupations included: Snowsport Instructors, Mountain and Glacier Guides, Snow Groomers (within ANZSCO Mobile Plant Operators not elsewhere classified), Outdoor Adventure Instructors, Outdoor Adventure Guides not elsewhere classified, Whitewater Rafting Guides, Parachute Rigger and Ski Technician (within ANZSCO Technicians and Trades Workers not elsewhere classified), and Snow Maker (within ANZSCO Stationary Plant Operators not elsewhere classified)
Use the sector agreements factsheet below for more information.
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