Accredited Employer

Accreditation Process

For an employer to qualify for accreditation, INZ must be satisfied that the employer meets the following requirements:

• The employer is in a sound financial position.
• Human resource policies and processes of a high standard.
• Demonstrable commitment to training and employing New Zealanders.
• Good workplace practices – including a history of compliance with all immigration and employment laws and policies such as the Immigration Act 2009, the Accident Compensation Act 2001, the Minimum Wage Act 1983, the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, the Employment Relations Act 2000, Wages Protection Act 1983, Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987 and the Holidays Act 2003.

Accreditation assessment:Basic outline

When deciding whether to grant accreditation, INZ will take into account such factors as:

• The period for which the employer has been a going concern.
• Engagement with any relevant Industry Training Organisation (ITO) by the employer.
• Whether the employer is a member of the EEO Employers Group.
• The employer is certified with the International Organisation for Standardisation – “ISO-certified”.
• Intention to maintain accreditation throughout the period of currency of any visas granted to their employees under the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Instructions by the employer.

INZ is required by the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Instructions to be satisfied that all the information and documents included in an application for employer accreditation are genuine and accurate, and may take any steps it considers necessary to verify such information or documents, including interviews. It may also, where necessary, seek the approval of an employer to conduct a site visit to the employer’s premises. (Where any information is identified by the employer as commercially sensitive, and is provided to INZ in confidence, INZ will seek the consent of the employer for the disclosure of that information.)

INZ will consult with relevant unions and other employee representatives when determining whether the employer has human resource policies and processes of a high standard, a commitment to training and employing New Zealanders, and good workplace practices.

Employers must consent to INZ seeking information from other groups within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, WorkSafe New Zealand, and the Accident Compensation Corporation concerning the employer’s compliance with New Zealand’s employment laws. Where such consent is not given, the application for accreditation will be declined.

Duration of accreditation:

Approved employers are granted accreditation for 12 months. Accreditation may be renewed annually, on application by the employer, provided INZ is satisfied the employer still meets accreditation requirements. A lower fee is payable for accreditation renewal.

Offers of employment by accredited employers:

Offers of employment made by accredited employers to non-New Zealand workers under the Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Instructions must be:

• for genuine employment in New Zealand in the capacity or position stated
• for employment in the accredited employer’s core area of business activity and where the employer will have direct responsibility for the employee’s work output
• for a position with a salary of NZ$55,000 or more
• for a period of at least 24 months
• for full-time employment (that is, amounting to, on average, at least 30 hours per week)

Evidence to prove your business record and financial position may include but is not limited to:

• Business reputation and history in the marketplace as a successfully established business
• Annual reports
• Business plans
• Sets of accounts certified by an accountant
• GST returns
• Financial statements (profit and loss, cash flow, balance sheet)
• Companies Office registration details, showing directors, shareholders etc
• Or other evidence that you believe will support the case for Employer Accreditation

Let us assist you to become an accredited employer

General enquiry to become an accredited employer

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