For New Zealand Employers
Employer accreditation, without carrying the complexity yourself.
Hiring a migrant worker under the Accredited Employer Work Visa system involves multiple interconnected stages. Head Start manages the full process — accreditation, advertising, job check, employment documentation, and visa application — so each step correctly supports the next.
Why It Matters
The stages must be aligned. Errors at any point affect the next.
Many New Zealand businesses approach accreditation as an administrative task and find, only after significant time and expense, that an error in their advertising, job description, or employment agreement has invalidated the process.
We manage each stage with knowledge of how Immigration New Zealand assesses the whole — not just the individual components.
The Full Process
Employer Accreditation
We assess your business eligibility, prepare, and lodge your accreditation application with Immigration New Zealand. Standard and high-volume accreditation categories are available.
Recruitment & Advertising
Guidance on Work and Income NZ and market advertising obligations to satisfy the labour market test. Incorrect or incomplete advertising can invalidate a job check.
Job Check
Preparation and lodgement of the job check, confirming the role, pay, and conditions meet Immigration New Zealand requirements.
Candidate Alignment
Review of the candidate's qualifications, experience, and job offer against the approved job check requirements.
...and 3 further stages through to visa approval and ongoing compliance.
What We Do
End-to-end management of the accreditation process.
Employer Accreditation
We assess your business eligibility, prepare, and lodge your accreditation application with Immigration New Zealand. Standard and high-volume accreditation categories are available.
Recruitment & Advertising
Guidance on Work and Income NZ and market advertising obligations to satisfy the labour market test. Incorrect or incomplete advertising can invalidate a job check.
Job Check
Preparation and lodgement of the job check, confirming the role, pay, and conditions meet Immigration New Zealand requirements.
Candidate Alignment
Review of the candidate's qualifications, experience, and job offer against the approved job check requirements.
Employment Documentation
Employment agreement and supporting documentation review for compliance with Immigration New Zealand standards and the job check approval.
Visa Application
Preparation and full management of the candidate's Accredited Employer Work Visa application. We coordinate the documentation and communicate with Immigration New Zealand throughout.
Ongoing Compliance
Advice on employer obligations, record-keeping requirements, and accreditation renewal timelines. Non-compliance with employer obligations can affect your accreditation.
FAQs
Common questions from New Zealand employers.
Does my business need to be accredited before I can hire a migrant?
Yes. Under the Accredited Employer Work Visa system, New Zealand employers must obtain accreditation from Immigration New Zealand before they can employ most migrants on an AEWV. There are limited exceptions. We will advise you on your specific situation.
How long does accreditation take?
Processing times vary. Immigration New Zealand targets 10 working days for standard applications, but actual times can vary. We will advise you on current processing times during your consultation.
Can I manage accreditation myself?
Yes, but the process involves multiple interconnected stages — accreditation, advertising, job check, employment agreement, and visa application — where errors at one stage can affect the next. Professional management reduces the risk of delays and declines.
What are my obligations as an accredited employer?
Accredited employers have ongoing obligations including settling new employees, maintaining accurate records, and meeting pay and condition requirements. Failure to meet obligations can result in accreditation suspension or cancellation.
Take the Next Step
Ready to discuss employer accreditation?
Whether you are starting the accreditation process for the first time or need help with a specific stage, we can help you understand what is required and manage the process correctly.