When applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), meeting the skill requirements is essential for a successful application. There are two main sets of skill requirements that applicants must meet:
The minimum skill threshold set by Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
The skill requirements specified by the employer in the job advertisement and job check.
That being said, there are several exceptions that could exempt applicants from needing to submit extensive evidence of their qualifications or work experience. Let’s explore these exceptions under WA4.10.5 (suitably qualified assessment) and WA4.10.6 (minimum skill threshold).
Exemptions Under WA4.10.5 – Suitably Qualified
1. Green List Occupation
Circumstance: If the job is on the Green List and the applicant meets the current Green List requirements (as outlined in Appendix 13), no additional skills evidence is required.
2. Previous Assessment
Circumstance: If you have been previously assessed by an immigration officer and accepted as meeting the qualifications, work experience, or skills required for the job, you are not required to provide new evidence.
3. Occupational Registration
Circumstance: If you hold full or provisional occupational registration for the role, and the specifications required for that registration were used to assess your skills, you will not need additional evidence.
4. Dairy Cattle Farm Workers (Temporary Exemption)
Circumstance: If you apply for a Dairy Cattle Farm Worker role (ANZSCO code 841512) between 7 April 2024 and 2 August 2024, and are in New Zealand on 2 August 2024, you are exempt from showing skills evidence due to animal welfare protections during the 2024 calving season.
Exemptions Under WA4.10.6 – Minimum Skill Threshold
1. Green List Occupation
Circumstance: As with WA4.10.5 (b)(ii), if your occupation is on the Green List If the job is on the Green List and you meet the Green List requirements (Appendix 13), no further evidence of skills is required.
2. High Remuneration
Circumstance: If your offered salary is double the median wage or higher, you do not need to provide further evidence of skills. The high pay level acts as a substitute for the usual skill evidence.
3. Previous Assessment
Circumstance: As with WA4.10.5 (c)(i), if you have already been assessed and accepted as meeting the minimum skill threshold in a prior application, no new skills evidence is needed.
4. Occupational Registration
Circumstance: If you have full or provisional occupational registration, where the specifications required for registration were used to assess your skills, you are exempt from submitting additional skills evidence.
5. Dairy Cattle Farm Workers (Temporary Exemption)
Circumstance: Similar to WA4.10.5, if you are applying for a Dairy Cattle Farm Worker role (ANZSCO code 841512) within the specified dates and are in New Zealand on 2 August 2024, you do not need to submit skills evidence due to the exemption related to the calving season.
6. Sector Agreements and Exemptions
Circumstance: If your occupation is listed in Appendix 14 and you are applying under specific sector agreements or exemptions, you may not need to provide skill evidence.
Examples:
Capped Meat Processing Sector Agreement: Applications submitted by 31 August 2025.
Capped Seafood Processing Sector Agreement: Applications submitted by 31 October 2025.
Tourism and Hospitality Wage Exemption: Applicants with a valid Accredited Employer work visa under this exemption expiring by 31 March 2025, applying for a further visa for the same role.
Care Workforce Sector Agreement: If you were granted an Accredited Employer work visa between 4 July 2022 and 23 November 2023 for a role paying at least $26.16 per hour, and you’re applying for a further one-year visa.
Conclusion
While skill requirements are a key part of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) application process, several exemptions allow applicants to bypass the usual documentation. These include Green List occupations, previous assessments, occupational registration, and specific sector agreements. Additionally, high-paying roles or those falling under temporary exemptions, like dairy cattle farm worker roles, also provide relief from the standard skill evidence requirements.
Understanding these exemptions can make the application process smoother, especially if you fall into one of the exempt categories. If you're unsure whether you qualify for an exemption, please reach out to me at audrey@abeona.co.nz.
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