Vacancies now need to be approved by INZ through a "job check" process, before a migrant candidate can apply for a work visa. We can ensure this process is completed correctly from the outset to streamline your labour hiring process.
Job Check Process
Once a business holds accreditation, it can then present the positions it needs to fill to INZ for approval through a separate Job Check. This isolates what used to be called a "Labour market check" into a distinct application process.
The intent of this process is for the employer to demonstrate that they have thoroughly tested the labour market prior to offering employment to a migrant worker rather than a New Zealand citizen or resident.
A separate Job Check is required for each type of role (occupation) or region of work. Where the role is one that requires the employee to work across multiple regions, advertising and the visa will need to reflect this.
Vacancy listings are subject to specific parameters in order to be considered acceptable by INZ, and evidence of this must be provided as part of the Job Check process, unless the Job Check is for a position that is exempt from the need for advertising, because it has been identified as being within a labour shortage area. The parameters for such roles are narrow and need to be assessed for suitability before relying on this.
The Job Check application is also the stage where INZ will check that the intended employment agreement includes all standard employment terms and the minimum terms required by INZ for migrant workers.
We work closely with employers to ensure that Job Check applications are undertaken in the most efficient way to keep costs down, through ensuring that each Job Check is fit for purpose and covers the required number of staff, including considering future needs of the business within the 6 month validity of a Job Check. This helps by reducing the need for duplicate applications, and through engaging with employers we ensure that the feedback to INZ is presented with an acceptable level of detail for a successful application.
Once the Job Check is approved, a ‘token’ is created for each vacancies the employer has requested and advertised for. This is accessible through INZ's online system and can then be used for the identified migrant workers to submit their application for an Accredited Employer work visa. These tokens remain valid for six months, after which a new labour market test and Job Check application would be required.
How Saunders & Co can add value:
- Advising on the requirements at each stage to ensure you, as an employer, can meet your staffing needs in the most cost effective and efficient way
- Identifying potential issues for each stage of the process, including those that may affect the next stage, and ensuring that these are suitably addressed as early on as possible
- Informing and educating you and your management team on the increased obligations that INZ are now placing on employers in regards to the recruitment process, hiring migrants, and education and settelement assistance for those migrants.
- We will prepare each stage of the process and be your point of contact throughout, freeing you up to focus on what matters – your business
- Identifying possible residence pathways for your employees and ensuring that you give them the full support they need to achieve their goals