What Accredited Employer Work Visa changes mean

In case you missed it, the government announced changes to the Accredited Employer Working Visa – you can read the media release here.

We have been given some extra background to share with members – the key changes are:

Removing the median wage requirement from the AEWV and instead have no wage requirement (i.e. to rely on the New Zealand minimum wage). This will come into effect in March 2025. Employers will still be expected to pay migrants a comparable rate to their New Zealand counterparts (i.e. the market rate) and the rate of pay will be factored in as part of ensuring the role is genuinely what’s being advertised;
Removing existing sector agreements that provide for a lower wage threshold (given the removal of the median wage). This will come into effect in March 2025. It will not impact current residence pathways for the transport and care workforce sectors;
Increasing the visa duration for new ANZSCO Level 4-5 AEWV holders to three years. This will come into effect in March 2025. Those who are currently on two year AEWVs will still be able to apply for another AEWV for a further year;
Introducing two new pathways for experienced seasonal workers (to be introduced in late 2025, with further engagement undertaken on the detailed design in the interim – we will be in touch with sector representatives as relevant about this in due course);
Amending the MSD engagement requirement to rely on a declaration that employers must have, in good faith, advertised lower skilled roles (Level 4 and 5) with MSD and interviewed candidates who could have been suitable for the role. This will come into effect from March 2025 and means from this point, evidence of engagement will no longer be required for a Job Check;
Providing greater work rights for those on interim visas. This will come into effect in April 2025;
Increasing the income threshold for supporting dependents on an AEWV to an annual rate equivalent to a 40 hour work week paid at 80 per cent of the median wage. This will be $55,844 from March 2025 and will be updated annually in line with changes to the median wage;
Reducing the domestic workforce threshold for triangular employers hiring certain construction roles from 35 percent to 15 percent. This will come into effect in late January 2025; and
Reducing the experience requirement for migrants from three years to two to ensure migrants are sufficiently skilled while addressing key issues raised during consultation. This will come into effect in March 2025.

More information can be found here, and look for more detail to come as the changes are worked through.

Hon Louise Upston media statement: Public to have their say on disability funding

The wider disability community will have their say early next year on how the Government should deliver disability support services that are fair, consistent, transparent, and sustainable, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says.

“The Government is committed to better public services and building a disability support system that delivers better outcomes for disabled people based on need.

“We’ve already taken action to stabilise the disability support system after an independent review earlier this year found the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha was ‘ill-prepared’ by the previous government to deliver these services.

“Cabinet will consider further changes to disability support services next year as it implements seven recommendations from the independent review.

“The recommendations, which address urgent concerns with the disability support system, are aimed at stabilising the system so that it operates more consistently and transparently and enables the Government to manage Disability Support Services in a financially sustainable manner.

“A key part of that work will involve establishing eligibility criteria and guidelines for the use of Flexible Funding. While there has already been some consultation with the disability community on the changes, the insights of the wider community will be crucial to getting these next steps right.

“Cabinet has agreed to progress consultation with the disability community, with an immediate focus on stabilising the disability system. I have directed the Disability Support Services Taskforce at MSD to begin this in early 2025.

“Disability Support Services recently conducted an online survey that generated feedback from more than 1550 disabled people, their families, and carers. Its themes will form the basis of a discussion document for community consultation.

“Details of how people can have their say will be released by Disability Support Services in the new year. After this consultation, officials will report back to me on options so that Cabinet can make final decisions.

“Anyone who wants to subscribe to the DSS newsletter for regular updates can do so on its website: www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz.

“The Government is focused on delivering services and supports that meet the needs of disabled people, their family and carers, both now and into the future.”

Read original media release

Updated Shared Redaction Guidance

The Crown Response Unit has recently published Shared Redaction Guidance records holders. I wanted to let you know about a recent update to this guidance.

As you may already be aware, the High Court’s recent decision in H v Attorney-General [2024] means that unless there is a specific court order restricting access to a document, survivors and other care experienced people will now be able to access information which would previously have been redacted due to being considered court documents.

The agencies most directly affected by this change are Oranga Tamariki and MSD who hold and provide access to these documents, but we wanted to notify you to provide visibility of this update.

The Crown Response Unit (CRU) has now published updated Shared Redaction Guidance and updated accompanying website contentin response to the High Court’s decision. New guidance has been developed to help agencies identify whether a specific court order has been made restricting access to a document.

At the same time, CRU has updated the language used in the guidance to describe people who are or were in care. In the old material, the term ‘care leaver’ was used. During the CRU’s engagements, survivors shared feedback that they did not identify with this term and preferred the term ‘care experienced people’. The language in the updated Shared Redaction Guidance and supporting material now reflects this feedback.

This update will be relevant to your service if you use the Shared Redaction Guidance.