Master prompt
AEWV Job Check + median-wage threshold + accreditation level (NZ)
Accredited Employer Work Visa pathway: employer accreditation levels (Standard / High-Volume / Franchise / Triangular), Job Check labour-market test, median-wage threshold NZD 31.61/hr (2025) and estimated 2026 review, market-test exemption mapping.
NZAEWVJob CheckMedian wageAccreditationW2Operations Manual
You are a senior IAA-licensed immigration adviser. Assess the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) pathway for [CLIENT_NAME] ([HOME_CITY]) joining [EMPLOYER_NAME] as a [ROLE_TITLE]. Audit against Operations Manual W2.
JOB FACTS
- Employer: [EMPLOYER_NAME] (Accreditation: [EMPLOYER_ACCREDITATION_LEVEL], ID [EMPLOYER_ACCREDITATION_ID])
- Role: [ROLE_TITLE]
- ANZSCO: [ANZSCO_CODE]
- Pay: NZD [HOURLY_RATE]/hr × 40 hours/week
- Green List status: Off-list
- Job Check: [JOB_CHECK_STATUS]
§1 — ACCREDITATION LEVEL CHECK (W2.20)
Confirm [EMPLOYER_ACCREDITATION_LEVEL]:
(a) STANDARD accreditation
- Can hire up to 5 AEWV migrants on roster at any time
- Must demonstrate financially viable business, no negative INZ history, no labour breaches
- Annual renewal — verify employer's current expiry
(b) HIGH-VOLUME accreditation
- Can hire 6+ AEWV migrants
- More rigorous compliance — HR systems, settlement support documented
- 2-year accreditation cycle
(c) FRANCHISE accreditation
- For franchisee operations (e.g. McDonald's franchisee, Hire Concepts franchise)
- Franchisor relationship documented
(d) TRIANGULAR accreditation
- Labour-hire / on-hiring arrangements (placing migrants at third-party host businesses)
- Strict — host must also be accredited, role-by-role
CONFIRM: Employer holds active [EMPLOYER_ACCREDITATION_LEVEL] accreditation [EMPLOYER_ACCREDITATION_ID] valid through [verify expiry].
§2 — JOB CHECK TEST (W2.10)
Job Check is the labour-market test step after employer accreditation but before the worker's AEWV application.
Status review [JOB_CHECK_STATUS]:
IF "APPROVED":
- Reference number captured
- Worker can lodge AEWV with INZ
- Job Check approval valid 6 months (worker must lodge within that window)
IF "PENDING":
- INZ standard processing: 10-25 working days
- Confirm advert run period: minimum 21 consecutive days
- Confirm 3 advertising platforms used (e.g. Trade Me Jobs + Seek + employer website)
- Worker cannot lodge AEWV until Job Check approved
- If pending > 30 days, escalate via INZ Branch enquiry
IF "NOT LODGED":
- Employer must lodge Job Check FIRST
- Worker cannot proceed until approved
- Recommend employer lodge ASAP
IF "EXEMPT":
Job Check exempt scenarios (W2.10.5):
(i) Role on Green List Tier 1 or Tier 2 — no Job Check required
(ii) Role paying 2x median wage or more (NZD 63.22/hr 2025; ~66/hr 2026) — no labour market test
(iii) Role on Sector Agreement (Care Workforce; Construction; Meat Processing — varies)
(iv) Specific purpose / event roles under W5
§3 — MEDIAN WAGE THRESHOLD CHECK (W2.15)
Current published median wage rates (verify 28-Feb-2026 review before quoting):
- From 28-Feb-2023: NZD 29.66/hr
- From 28-Feb-2025: NZD 31.61/hr
- From 28-Feb-2026 (estimate): ~NZD 33.00/hr (verify on INZ website)
Calculate [HOURLY_RATE] against current median:
pay_to_median_ratio = HOURLY_RATE / current_median_rate
- If ≥ 2x median → triggers Job Check EXEMPTION (no labour market test needed)
- If ≥ 1.5x median → SMC Stream A eligible (3 points minimum)
- If ≥ 1x median (the threshold to issue an AEWV) → AEWV-eligible if role is ANZSCO L1-3 or Green List
- If < 1x median → AEWV not available (with narrow sector-agreement exceptions)
For [HOURLY_RATE] / 40 hours = NZD [annual] annual remuneration.
OUTPUT: pay_to_median_ratio = [n.nn]x → [Tier A pay band].
§4 — ANZSCO + SKILL LEVEL CHECK
Parse [ANZSCO_CODE]:
- ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3: AEWV available without sector exception
- ANZSCO Skill Level 4-5: AEWV available only via:
(a) Sector Agreement (Care Workforce L4-5; Construction L4-5; Meat Processing L4-5)
(b) Green List occupation (rare for L4-5)
(c) Specific purpose visa (W5) — short-term
OUTPUT: ANZSCO [code] = Skill Level [n] → [AEWV available / sector-restricted / not available].
§5 — MARKET-TEST EXEMPTION SUMMARY
Confirm IF any of these exemptions apply to [ROLE_TITLE]:
EXEMPTION 1: Green List Tier 1 (Straight to Residence)
- Confirm role in Off-list
- Skip Job Check entirely; worker applies for Resident Visa not AEWV
EXEMPTION 2: Green List Tier 2 (Work to Residence)
- Confirm role in Off-list
- Skip Job Check; worker on AEWV, eligible for Resident after 24 months
EXEMPTION 3: Pay 2x median (NZD 63.22/hr 2025)
- Confirm [HOURLY_RATE] ≥ NZD 63.22 (or current threshold)
- Skip Job Check labour-market test (W2.10.5)
EXEMPTION 4: Sector Agreement
- Care Workforce sector agreement: registered nurses, healthcare assistants L4
- Construction sector agreement: select trades
- Meat Processing sector agreement
- Transport sector agreement: bus / truck drivers
EXEMPTION 5: Specific Purpose / Event (W5)
- Short-term events, conferences, sports tours
- Different visa class (not AEWV)
§6 — AEWV APPLICATION CHECKLIST
After Job Check approved (or exempt):
WORKER LODGES (INZ 1178):
□ Online application via INZ portal
□ Employer's Job Check reference (or exemption code)
□ Signed employment agreement matching the approved role
□ Passport + India PCC (within 6 months)
□ Form 6080 NZ Police certificate (if previously in NZ 12+ months)
□ Chest X-ray (Form INZ 1096) — India is TB-high prevalence
□ Full medical INZ 1003 if visa length > 12 months
□ IELTS / English evidence (most AEWV roles need IELTS 5.0 General or higher; some roles 6.5)
□ Qualifications certificates + NZQA pre-assessment if specialist role
□ Application fee: NZD ~750 (verify); levy and INZ processing fee
□ INZ 1146 Letter of Authority if represented by IAA-licensed adviser
§7 — VISA DURATION
- Standard AEWV: up to 5 years (matches employment contract length)
- Green List Tier 1 worker (visiting NZ for the role first): up to 5 years; can apply for Resident Visa immediately on arrival
- Green List Tier 2 worker: 5 years (must work 24 months before Resident Visa)
- Pay below 1.5x median: 3 years max (and limited renewal scope)
§8 — POST-AEWV PATHWAYS TO RESIDENCE
(a) Green List Tier 1 → apply for Resident Visa anytime once in role
(b) Green List Tier 2 → apply for Resident Visa after 24 months
(c) SMC 6 points → apply once 6 points reached (see slot 1 + 2)
(d) Care Workforce work-to-residence → after 24 months registered + Care Workforce sector agreement met
(e) Transport Sector work-to-residence → after 24 months
(f) Partner of NZ citizen / resident → Partner Resident Visa (separate stream)
§9 — RISK FLAGS
□ Employer accreditation expires during AEWV processing — renewal must be in train
□ Job Check advert proof inadequate (less than 21 days, missing job board screenshots)
□ Job duties claimed don't match actual ANZSCO description (s.158 — false / misleading info risk)
□ Pay at 1.501x median — close to threshold, vulnerable at next median wage uplift
□ Worker switching employers — need new Job Check + new AEWV (variation under s.74 limited)
□ Triangular arrangement: confirm host employer is also accredited
End with: "DRAFT AEWV audit — for IAA-licensed immigration adviser review. Verify current published median wage rate (28-Feb-2026 review pending), employer accreditation current status, and Job Check approval letter (or exemption basis). The pay band determines Stream A SMC points if/when worker later goes for Resident Visa. Operations Manual W2 is the binding source."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt