The Labour Market Test

New Zealand aims to attract skilled migrants from all over the world to fill job openings and ensure that the economy can thrive.

However, New Zealand has a responsibility towards New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, and aims to achieve high levels of employment in our country. To comply with this objective, the skilled migrant visa policies stipulate that Immigration New Zealand is required to conduct a 'labour market test' before granting a work visa.

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Employers are required to make genuine attempts to recruit New Zealanders:

The labour market test means that only once it has been established that no New Zealander can be found to fill a position, the specific job may be offered to an overseas job seeker.

When assessing a work visa application, the Immigration Officer in charge must be satisfied that the employer has made genuine attempts to attract and recruit New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders and that there are no New Zealanders available to fill the specific role.

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When is a Labour Market Test not necessary?

If a position is included in one of the skills shortage lists and the employee meets the necessary requirements as stipulated in the respective list, Immigration New Zealand accepts that no New Zealander is available to fill the role.

The employer does not have to undertake a Labour Market Test before offering the job to a migrant.

Employers who intend to recruit multiple workers are encouraged to apply for Accreditation.

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Facts to consider when testing the Labour Market:

According to Immigration New Zealand, these are the most common reasons for New Zealand employers not meeting the ‘labour market test’:

• Failure to provide a Skills Match Report

• The SMR or CSEH indicate that there are New Zealanders available

• No evidence of advertising or attempts to train New Zealanders

• The job was advertised more than three months ago or was not advertised for long enough

• The job was advertised in such a way that no New Zealanders would apply

• The advertising or the consultation with Work and Income was done after the job was offered to the applicant.

• The location listed in the advertising/SMR/CSEH is different from the location included in the Employment Agreement

• No information or evidence regarding the outcome of the advertising was provided or no evidence of attempts to train New Zealanders was provided

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Our advice:

Failure to provide key information such as a Skills Match Report, or evidence of genuine attempts to recruit New Zealanders will result in the application being declined!

Talk to one of our Licensed Immigration Advisers before submitting a work visa application.