Apr 28, 2023

Transport sector agreement finalised and Green List changes confirmed

Last week in our webinar we went through some of the updates that the Minister of Immigration Hon. Michael Wood outlined regarding the Green List. Just announced this afternoon are further updates as follows.

Transport Sector Updates

It has been announced that effective immediately there is a median wage exemption for bus drivers set at $28 for an Accredited Employer Work Visa.

To be eligible for the exemption, the role must either:

be for an employer who has signed the All Parties Memorandum of Understanding on Improving Bus Driver Pay and Conditions, or
be as a school bus driver on a Ministry of Education-funded school bus service.

Visas (AEWV) will be issued for 3 years, despite being paid below the median wage. Please note that other roles covered by the transport sector agreement are not exempt from the median wage threshold.

From 29 September 2023, those under the sector agreement in the following professions will have a 2-year work to residence pathway where they meet the following:

  • bus drivers working for an eligible employer in an eligible role (as set out above)
  • truck drivers primarily driving vehicles that require a class 4 or 5 licence
  • ship’s masters (skippers) — must hold Skipper Restricted Limits for 500GT endorsement, or higher qualification by the time they apply for residence
  • deck hands — must hold Qualified Deck Crew or higher qualification by the time they apply for residence.
  • The agreement is uncapped and will be reviewed after 12 months. Any changes made to the sector agreement after a review will not affect migrants already on their 2-year work to residence pathway.

Further Green List Roles

The further announced occupations will be added to the ‘Straight to Residence’ Green List pathway on 29 May 2023, as well as the ‘Work to Residence’ Green List.

Occupations will have specific requirements such as:

  • Licensing
  • Registration
  • Certifications
  • Qualifications
  • Employment location
  • Minimum earnings

When the additional roles are added to the Green List on 29 May 2023, employers will not be required to show evidence of advertising when they submit a job check, and migrants working in these roles will be eligible to sponsor a partner on an open work visa.

Latest news

Looking to hire? Download our AEWV Median Wage summary

In order to hire people on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) you must be offering the New Zealand median wage or higher (unless exempt). On February 27 2023, the median wage increased, meaning employers now need to be aware of the new wage requirements.

Updates to the recognised seasonal employer scheme

Immigration New Zealand has implemented further changes following Cyclone Gabrielle, to support workers who are part of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. The scheme allows New Zealand employers to hire overseas people to work in fruit, vegetable and grape-growing industries.

Work rights are changing for partnership-based work visas

Today, Immigration New Zealand announced new conditions for partnership-based work visas, these new visa conditions will take effect for applicants approved with a Partner of a Worker Work Visa.  From 31 May 2023, partners of most Accredited Employer...

Recovery Visa announced

Firstly, our thoughts are with those impacted by the recent extreme weather events. We have been taking calls from many North Island employers this week, following the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle. There is no doubt that the magnitude of this event will have...

News Archive