Is your role part of a Sector Agreement?
Certain industries in New Zealand benefit from a Sector Agreement which facilitates a pathway to New Zealand for overseas workers.
Care Workforce Transport Sector
Care Workforce Sector Agreement Pathway
You can apply for this visa if you work for an accredited employer and you have worked in a care workforce sector role for 24 months.
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Immigration New Zealand continues to acknowledge the critical shortage of Healthcare Workers and the ongoing need to attract and retain skilled care workers in New Zealand. People who fall under the below occupations are able to apply for residence under the Work to Residence pathway if they meet the following criteria:
- have employment with an Accredited Employer and holds an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
- work in an occupation that is on the Care Workforce sector occupations list
- are paid at least NZD $28.25 an hour (level 4) of the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Act 2017
- have worked in that role at the level 4 rate for 24 months in New Zealand.
Note: the current Level 4 rate can be found in the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Act 2017 – Schedule 2 Minimum hourly wages. For the period from 1 July 2022 – 31 December 2023 the Level 4 rate is $28.25.
The following occupations qualify for residency:
- Kaiawhina (Hauora) (Maori Health Assistant) (411512) Skill level 2
- Disabilities Services Officer (411712) skill level 2
- Residential Care Officer (411715) skill level 2
- Aged or Disabled Carer (423111) skill level 4
- May be recognised as SL 3 (see below)
- Nursing Support Worker (423312) skill level 4
- May be recognised as SL 3 (see below)
- Personal Care Assistant (423313) skill level 4
- May be recognised as SL 3 (see below)
- Therapy Aide (423314) skill level 4
- Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant (423411) skill level 3
- Diversional Therapist (411311) skill level 3
A pathway to residency
Migrant workers working in the above-mentioned roles can seek residency after working in New Zealand for 2 years on the required hourly ware. Wage rates in effect for the Care Workforce sector Work to Residence category across time are:
| Date | Hourly rate |
| 1 July 2022 onwards | $28.25 |
| 29 September 2021 to 30 June 2022 | $27.00 |
Certain are recognised at a higher skill level for SMC, AEWV and all temporary visas
- Aged or Disabled Carer (423111) skill level 4
- Nursing Support Worker (423312) skill level 4
- Personal Care Assistant (423313) skill level 4
These roles are recognised at skill level 3 if specific skill requirements are met by the candidate. The skill requirements are:
- occupational registration (if required), and
- at least 3 years of relevant work experience, or
- a relevant qualification, that is at least level 4 (for ANZSCO skill level 3) or a diploma (for ANZSCO skill level 2) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).
What this means is the skill level will determine different requirements at the job check and AEWV stage.
| SKILL LEVEL | 1, 2, 3 | 4, 5 |
| Job check: Advertising duration | 14 days | 21 days |
| Job check: Need to engage with WINZ | No | Yes |
| AEWV: Need to demonstrate English proficiency | No | Yes |
Pay rates in the care workforce sector
Under the care workforce sector agreement, employers can pay care workers as high as they want, but cannot pay qualified ones below certain rates:
• $26.16 if they hold a level 3 qualification.
• $28.25 if they hold a level 4 qualification such as
https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/nzqf/search/results.do?q=Health%20wellbeing&size=n_20_n
These hourly rates are defined in the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Act 2017 https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2017/0024/latest/DLM7269176.html and accordingly replicated in immigration policy at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#78792.htm
What visa rights can the family secure?
Dependent children may seek domestic student rights if the family’s income is NZ$43,322.76 gross per annum. This allows them to study fee-free at public primary or secondary school in New Zealand. Partners will only get work rights if the care worker is paid median wage.
How long can you stay on a care workforce sector visa?
The maximum stay on an AEWV is 3 or 5 years depends how much you are paid. The baseline is $28.25 to get a 5 year visa (or its extension). See table below:
| Role | Maximum visa length | Maximum continuous stay | Time you must spend outside of New Zealand |
| Care workforce sector roles paid NZD$28.25 an hour or above, or equivalent salary. | 3 years | 5 years | 12 months |
| Care workforce sector roles paid below NZD$28.25 an hour or equivalent salary. | 3 years | 3 years | 12 months |
Transport Sector Agreement Pathway
Note: the Transport Sector Agreement pathway is closed to new entrants truck drivers from 7 April 2024.
You will not be eligible if you applied for your Accredited Employer Work visa after this date.
You can apply for this visa if you work for an accredited employer and you have worked in a Transport workforce sector role for 24 months. The following occupations qualify for residence.
Please reach out to us if you are in one of these roles and you believe you are eligible to apply for residence under this pathway.
What if I am not eligible under these options?
You may qualify under alternative pathways, including Green list occupations, or the Skilled Migrant Category.
What does this application cost?
The advertised fees per family are:
- Band A (NZ): NZD $4,290
- Band B (Pacific): NZD $4,020
- Band C (rest of world): NZD $4,890.
These fees include Goods and Services Tax (GST) and exclude the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
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