New Zealand's Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program has been a crucial pathway for international workers seeking employment opportunities in the country. Recent data from July 1, 2022, to July 6, 2024, provides valuable insights into the occupations and nationalities that have been most successful in securing these visas. Let's delve into the numbers and explore the trends and opportunities they reveal.

Occupational Trends

The following table shows the top 20 occupations for AEWV approvals:

AEWV applications approved by occupation 1JUL2022 to 06JUL2024

  1. Builder's Labourer (Skill Level 5) — 11,350
  2. Carpenter (Skill Level 3) — 4,341
  3. Truck Driver (General) (Skill Level 4) — 4,018
  4. Cook (Skill Level 4) — 3,782
  5. Personal Care Assistant (Skill Level 4) — 3,319
  6. Chef (Skill Level 2) — 3,064
  7. Retail Supervisor (Skill Level 4) — 2,666
  8. Dairy Cattle Farm Worker (Skill Level 5) — 2,613
  9. Meat Process Worker (Skill Level 5) — 2,173
  10. Fast Food Cook (Skill Level 5) — 2,037
  11. Kitchenhand (Skill Level 5) — 1,874
  12. Aged or Disabled Carer (Skill Level 4) — 1,830
  13. Commercial Cleaner (Skill Level 4) — 1,727
  14. Painting Trades Worker (Skill Level 3) — 1,723
  15. Registered Nurse (Medical) (Skill Level 1) — 1,714
  16. Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher (Skill Level 1) — 1,438
  17. Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (Skill Level 1) — 1,421
  18. Beauty Therapist (Skill Level 3) — 1,338
  19. Sales Assistant (General) (Skill Level 5) — 1,283
  20. Delivery Driver (Skill Level 4) — 1,245
  21. Others — 67,660

Total: 122,616

Several key trends emerge from this data:

  1. Construction Boom: Builder's Labourers top the list with 11,350 approvals, while Carpenters rank second with 4,341. This indicates a strong demand in the construction sector, likely driven by ongoing infrastructure projects and housing needs.
  2. Essential Services: Truck Drivers (4,018), Cooks (3,782), and Personal Care Assistants (3,319) round out the top five, highlighting the importance of logistics, hospitality, and healthcare sectors.
  3. Skill Level Diversity: The approvals span across various skill levels, from Level 1 (highest) to Level 5 (entry-level). This suggests opportunities for workers with different qualifications and experience levels.
  4. Healthcare Focus: With Registered Nurses (both Medical and Aged Care) in the top 20, there's a clear demand for healthcare professionals.
  5. Retail and Hospitality: Roles such as Retail Supervisor, Fast Food Cook, and Kitchenhand indicate ongoing needs in these customer-facing industries.

Nationality Trends

The second table provides insights into the nationalities of successful AEWV applicants:

AEWV applications approved by nationality 1JUL2022 to 06JUL2024

  1. India — 32,368
  2. Philippines — 26,285
  3. China — 15,397
  4. Fiji — 7,669
  5. South Africa — 5,401
  6. Vietnam — 4,567
  7. Great Britain — 3,588
  8. Sri Lanka — 3,364
  9. Nepal — 1,721
  10. Brazil — 1,498
  11. Others — 20,758

Total: 122,616

Key observations:

  1. Asian Dominance: The top three countries — India (32,368), Philippines (26,285), and China (15,397) — account for over 60% of all approvals.
  2. Pacific Island Connection: Fiji ranks fourth with 7,669 approvals, reflecting strong ties between New Zealand and Pacific Island nations.
  3. Diverse Global Interest: The presence of countries like South Africa, Great Britain, and Brazil in the top 10 demonstrates New Zealand's appeal to a wide range of nationalities.

The AEWV approval data provides a snapshot of New Zealand's evolving workforce landscape. It highlights the country's reliance on international talent across various sectors and skill levels. For job seekers considering New Zealand as a destination, understanding these trends can help in identifying promising career paths and opportunities. Employers, too, can use this information to inform their recruitment strategies and tap into the global talent pool effectively.

As New Zealand continues to welcome skilled workers from around the world, the AEWV program plays a crucial role in shaping the country's economic future and cultural fabric. By staying attuned to these trends, all stakeholders — from policymakers to job seekers — can make informed decisions to contribute to New Zealand's growth and prosperity.

Source: New Zealand Immigration — Statistics