Understanding the Importance of Job Checks for Employers in New Zealand

Hiring foreign talent can be a great way for New Zealand businesses to grow and diversify their workforce. However, before hiring migrants, employers must follow specific processes and ensure they are compliant with the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) regulations. One of the critical processes that employers must follow is job checks. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of job checks for employers in New Zealand.

What are Job Checks?

A job check is a process through which employers can seek approval from INZ to hire overseas workers for specific job roles. The process ensures that New Zealand employers are committed to recruiting and training local workers before recruiting overseas workers.

Why are Job Checks Important?

Job checks are essential for several reasons. First, they ensure that New Zealand employers have made genuine efforts to recruit and train local workers before looking overseas. Second, they protect overseas workers from exploitation and ensure that they receive fair wages and working conditions. Finally, they help INZ to manage the number of overseas workers coming to New Zealand and ensure that the economy benefits from their presence.

What Do Employers Need to Provide for Job Checks?

Employers who want to hire overseas workers must provide the following information to INZ:

• Accreditation to hire on the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): Before applying for a job check, employers must have accreditation to hire on the AEWV.
• An acceptable job offer, job description, and proposed employment agreement: The employer must provide a detailed job offer, job description, and proposed employment agreement to INZ.
• Evidence of advertising: If the job pays less than twice the median wage and is not on the Green List, the employer must provide evidence of advertising to show that they have made genuine efforts to recruit local workers.
  The ANZSCO code: The employer must provide the ANZSCO code that best matches the job they are offering.

What are the Requirements for Job Checks?

• Organization details: This includes pre-populated information from the employer accreditation application.
• Employment details: This includes the job title, number of positions, location of work, the ANZSCO code, minimum qualifications and experience, including if the job is on the Green List, and the type of employment.
• Remuneration: This includes the salary or hourly rate of pay, deductions, benefits or allowances, and the hours of work per week as specified in the employment agreement, including any shifts or variation in hours.
• Advertising: This includes where the employer advertised the job, for example, national job listing websites, the required details included in the job advertisement, how long the job was advertised, and how many job applications the employer received, including from suitable New Zealand citizens or residents.
• Proposed employment agreement: This includes all required information, such as the job title, a detailed description of the work to be performed, the hours of work, the duration and type of agreement, details of the pay and conditions of employment, and the place or places of work.

Conclusion

Job checks are an essential part of the process of hiring overseas workers in New Zealand. They ensure that New Zealand employers have made genuine efforts to recruit and train local workers before looking overseas, protect overseas workers from exploitation, and help INZ manage the number of overseas workers coming to New Zealand. Employers who wish to hire overseas workers should ensure that they are compliant with the INZ regulations and provide all the necessary information for job checks.