On October 23, 2024, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced that, from December 2, 2024, open work rights will be available to:
- all partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) working in an Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) Level 1-3 role and earning at least NZD 25.29 an hour (80 percent of the standard median wage)
- partners of AEWV holders earning at least NZD 25.29 an hour if they were already supporting a partner for a work visa on June 26, 2024
- all partners of Essential Skills work visa holders earning at least NZD 25.29 an hour.
Furthermore, open work rights will be available to partners of AEWV holders working in an ANZSCO Level 4-5 role:
- earning at least NZD 47.41 an hour (150 percent of the standard median wage), or
- earning at least NZD 31.61 an hour in a role on the Green List and meeting the Green List requirements for that role, or
- earning at least NZD 25.29 an hour (80 percent of the standard median wage) and meeting the requirements of a role in the Transport or Care Sector Agreements (or the wage specified in the sector agreement, whichever is higher).
ANZSCO grades occupations according to skill level. ANZSCO skill levels range from 1 to 5, with 1 being the most skilled and 5 being less skilled.
Current holders of partner work visas with specific employment conditions, will be able to apply to vary their visa conditions to switch to open work rights, if their partner meets any of the above situations.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.