Are you struggling to find skilled workers for your business in New Zealand? Are you considering hiring overseas talents to fill the gaps in your workforce? If so, becoming an Accredited Employer NZ could be the solution for you. In this blog post, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to become an Accredited Employer in New Zealand.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a process administered by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) that allows employers in New Zealand to demonstrate that they meet specific criteria and are eligible to support migrant workers for work visas. By obtaining Accreditation, employers can streamline the hiring process for migrant workers and ensure compliance with immigration and employment laws.
Why Become an Accredited Employer?
Becoming an Accredited Employer NZ can provide several benefits to your business, including:
Access to Skilled Talent:
Accreditation allows you to hire skilled workers from overseas to fill shortages in your workforce and support your business growth.
Faster Visa Processing:
Once you are an Accredited Employer, your migrant worker's visa applications are processed faster, reducing delays in the hiring process.
Increased Compliance:
Accreditation requires employers to demonstrate compliance with immigration and employment laws, which helps ensure good workplace practices and compliance with legal requirements.
Long-Term Validity:
Accreditation is valid for 12 months initially and can be renewed for 24 months, providing long-term certainty for your workforce planning.
Requirements for Accreditation
To become an Accredited Employer, you must meet certain requirements set by INZ. These requirements include:
Sound Financial Position:
You must demonstrate that your business has a sound financial position to ensure the employment of migrant workers is sustainable. This may include providing evidence of your business's trading history, financial records, and future staffing plans.
High HR Standards:
You must have human resource policies and recruitment processes that are of a high standard. This may include evidence of compliant employment agreements, job descriptions, health and safety policies, employee well-being initiatives, and commitment to training and career progression for employees.
Commitment to New Zealand Citizens or Residence Class Visa Holders:
You must demonstrate a commitment to training and employing New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders. This may include evidence of engagement in training and up-skilling of New Zealanders and the proportion of New Zealanders in your workforce.
Compliance with Laws:
You must have a history of compliance with immigration and employment laws in New Zealand. This may include evidence of fair, equitable, and safe workplace practices and compliance with immigration and employment laws in the past and present.
Application Process
The application process for Accreditation involves preparing a comprehensive application and lodging it with INZ. The application should include evidence that demonstrates how your business meets the Accreditation requirements. The level of evidence required may vary depending on the type of Accreditation you are seeking, and it is recommended to work with an experienced immigration consultant to ensure that you meet the threshold for each section.
Once Accredited
If your application is successful, you will be granted Accreditation for an initial period of 12 months. Accreditation renewals are granted for 24 months, except for franchises and labour-hire companies, which are renewed for 12 months. Once you are an Accredited Employer, you can support migrant workers for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) application, which can be processed faster than regular work visa applications.
Note for Subsidiary Companies
If you have subsidiary companies, they cannot be covered under the Accreditation of the parent company. Each subsidiary company must apply for Accreditation in their own right, meeting the Accreditation requirements independently.
Conclusion
In conclusion, becoming an accredited employer in New Zealand is a strategic move for businesses that require skilled workers from overseas to fill genuine skill shortages. It involves preparing a comprehensive application that demonstrates the company's financial sustainability, human resource policies, good workplace practices, and compliance with immigration and employment laws.
With the help of Immigration Chambers, an experienced INZ employer accreditation consultant, the process can be streamlined, and the company can obtain accreditation that is valid for either 12 or 24 months, depending on the type of business. By becoming an accredited employer, businesses can then support migrant workers for an Accredited Employer Work Visa, helping them secure the right staff for their job requirements. Don't wait, take the necessary steps to become an accredited employer in New Zealand and unlock the potential of overseas talent for your business today.
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