Median wage increases explained

The main government objective behind this is to attract highly skilled people to grow New Zealand’s economy. This is good news for anyone looking to hire from overseas.

What is the median wage?

The median wage is currently $29.66 per hour for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or certain individuals on a Partnership-based Work Visa. Some sectors are eligible for an exemption.

For some roles on the Green List, a higher threshold applies and these are also indexed to the median wage.

Increase in the median wage

Each year, Immigration New Zealand set the immigration payrates and thresholds based on annual New Zealand Labour Market Statistics (Stats NZ). This means that when the median wage changes, the criteria to grant visas also changes.

The median wage will be increasing to $31.61 per hour in February 2024.

Looking to hire or support people on an AEWV?

If you are a New Zealand employer looking to support international staff on an Accredited Employer Work Visa, you need to start the application process NOW.

Our team can assist with a workforce review

We’re here to simplify this process for you and ensure you have the people you need to operate your business effectively. Working In has been helping New Zealand employers manage all aspects of the visa and immigration process, for over a decade. Complete the form below and we will be in touch to talk you through the necessary steps.