Caregiver and support worker roles remain one of the most practical “real job → real visa” pathways for people who want to work in New Zealand—provided you understand two realities upfront:
- In New Zealand, “visa sponsorship” is usually the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) process, where an accredited employer offers you a job and supports your work-visa application (it is not a separate “sponsorship visa”). (Immigration New Zealand)
- Care workforce roles are tightly policy-linked to pay and compliance, including sector wage settings and evidence requirements. (Immigration New Zealand)
This guide explains the latest rules and expectations around pay, hours, eligibility, and the visa pathway—so you can avoid misinformation, apply strategically, and understand what employers and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) actually check.
1) What “Caregiver” Means in New Zealand (Job Titles You’ll See)
In New Zealand job ads, “caregiver jobs” commonly appear under titles like:
- Caregiver / Healthcare Assistant (HCA)
- Support Worker (aged care, disability, community support, residential support)
- Care and Support Worker
- Home Care Support Worker / Community Support Worker
- Disability Support Worker
These roles typically involve personal care support, mobility assistance, basic household support (depending on setting), and client wellbeing monitoring under workplace policies. The exact duties and pay can vary by employer type (aged residential care, disability services, home/community providers).
2) The Main Visa Route: Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
For most overseas applicants, the core pathway is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). To be eligible, INZ states you generally must:
- Have an offer of full-time work from an accredited employer
- Meet the experience/qualification requirements for the role
- Meet any other requirements tied to the skill level of the job (Immigration New Zealand)
The “Sponsorship” Mechanics (Plain English)
An employer must complete the employer accreditation and a job check (approval to hire migrants for that job). Once that job check is approved, you (the worker) apply for the AEWV. (Immigration New Zealand)
3) Important 2025 Update: National Occupation List (NOL) and Skill Levels
From 3 November 2025, INZ started recognising certain occupations under the National Occupation List (NOL) for AEWV applications and job checks. (Immigration New Zealand)
Why this matters: visa requirements (including whether English evidence is required and how INZ interprets role skill level) can depend on the occupation classification. INZ provides guidance on finding skill levels and when NOL applies. (Immigration New Zealand)
4) Pay: What Caregivers Typically Earn (And the Minimums That Matter)
A) The legal floor: New Zealand minimum wage
As of 1 April 2025, New Zealand’s adult minimum wage is NZD $23.50/hour. (Employment New Zealand)
That does not mean every caregiver job pays only minimum wage—but it sets the baseline for lawful pay.
B) The care workforce “sector wage rate” tied to residence pathway
For the Care Workforce Work to Residence pathway, INZ specifies a care workforce sector wage rate and confirms the current rate is NZD $28.25/hour (or equivalent salary) from 1 July 2022 onward. (Immigration New Zealand)
INZ also references $28.25/hour in its care workforce sector agreement context. (Immigration New Zealand)
Practical takeaway:
- Many employers can (and do) hire caregivers on AEWV at rates below $28.25/hour (depending on role settings and immigration criteria).
- But if you want the care workforce residence pathway, your pay history must meet the sector wage rate for the required period. (Immigration New Zealand)
C) What you should expect in real job ads (typical ranges)
In practice, caregiver/support worker ads commonly fall into bands such as:
- Entry-level / training: around minimum wage to mid-$20s
- Qualified/experienced or higher responsibility rosters: mid-$20s to high-$20s (and sometimes above)
Because pay can change quickly by region, provider, union agreements, and shortages, treat any advertised rate as job-specific. The most reliable check is: what pay is stated in the signed offer/contract, and whether it aligns with any visa-linked wage obligations that apply to your situation. (Immigration New Zealand)
5) Hours: Full-Time Requirements, Shift Patterns, and What to Expect
A) Minimum hours for AEWV
A common AEWV requirement is that your employer offers at least 30 hours per week (full-time) for the visa. (IDP IELTS New Zealand)
B) Typical caregiver rosters
Caregiving is often delivered as 24/7 services, so rosters frequently include:
- Day shifts / afternoon shifts / night shifts
- Weekend and public-holiday work
- Rotating rosters (e.g., 4-on/2-off, or variable patterns)
- Split shifts in some community/home-care models
Realistic expectation:
If an ad says “30–40 hours,” you should ask how those hours are distributed, whether overtime is available, and what the guaranteed minimum is in the contract (not just in the job ad).
6) Eligibility: What Employers and INZ Typically Require
Eligibility has two layers: job eligibility (what the employer wants) and visa eligibility (what INZ requires).
A) The core AEWV worker eligibility
INZ’s AEWV page indicates you must meet work experience and/or qualification requirements depending on the job, plus other requirements depending on skill level. (Immigration New Zealand)
B) English requirements (often overlooked)
For some lower-skilled classifications, INZ can require that you show you can speak and understand English, unless you are exempt. (Immigration New Zealand)
Employers may also ask for English ability for safety and care quality reasons—even if you personally feel fluent.
C) Health and character (police/medical checks)
You should expect health and character checks as standard supporting evidence for AEWV-type applications. (Immigration New Zealand)
Major update (effective 8 December 2025):
INZ now requires a valid police certificate to be submitted with AEWV applications and is no longer accepting receipts showing you applied for one. (Immigration New Zealand)
This affects timing: you need to plan your police certificate request early so it is ready when you submit.
D) Training and qualifications (what strengthens your profile)
Many employers prefer (or later require) New Zealand-aligned health and wellbeing training. Common pathways include NZQA-recognised programmes such as the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Levels 2–3), which are widely referenced across providers and NZQA. (nzqa.govt.nz)
Important nuance: Having overseas caregiving certificates can help, but employers often still value NZ-recognised or equivalent competency evidence, plus references and a clean background check.
7) The Residence Angle: Care Workforce Work to Residence (Know What It Actually Requires)
New Zealand has a specific residence pathway for eligible care workforce roles: Care Workforce Work to Residence. INZ states that, before applying, you must have:
- Worked in the care workforce in New Zealand for at least 24 months, and
- Been paid at least the care workforce sector wage rate during that time (Immigration New Zealand)
And INZ’s residence pathway overview confirms the care workforce pathway leads to the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa. (Immigration New Zealand)
Strategic implication:
If your long-term goal is residence, you should pay attention from day one to (1) your exact occupation classification, (2) your pay rate history, and (3) documentation (contracts, payslips, tax summaries) because these are commonly used as evidence. (Immigration New Zealand)
8) How to Find Legitimate “Visa Sponsorship” Caregiver Jobs
A) Target employers who are accredited (or clearly hiring AEWV roles)
Because AEWV requires employer accreditation and job checks, the safest approach is to focus on:
- Employers explicitly stating they can support an AEWV, or
- Employers with a track record of migrant hiring (large aged care providers, disability support organisations, community care agencies)
B) Use reputable job platforms and filter carefully
Major job boards often have “visa sponsorship” filters (you still must verify the employer is accredited and the role is eligible). For example, SEEK maintains a visa sponsorship jobs category in New Zealand. (SEEK New Zealand)
C) Red flags to avoid (protect yourself)
Be cautious if you see:
- “Guaranteed visa” language
- Requests for large upfront “processing fees” from non-licensed agents
- Vague job descriptions with no employer address, no roster details, no pay rate
- Pressure to submit fake documents or misrepresent experience
INZ’s AEWV process has multiple checkpoints (job check, worker checks, evidence). Cutting corners is a fast route to refusal and long-term problems. (Immigration New Zealand)
9) Application Checklist (Practical Step-by-Step)
Below is a practical checklist that aligns with how AEWV applications tend to succeed.
Step 1: Build a credible caregiver profile
- A one-page CV tailored to caregiving/support work
- Clear experience bullets (client support, mobility, hygiene support, documentation, teamwork)
- Verifiable references (supervisors, HR contacts)
- Any relevant training (first aid, caregiving certificate; ideally NZ-aligned modules later)
Step 2: Apply only to roles with clear pay and roster structure
Focus on ads that state:
- Pay range or pay rate
- Hours (30+ clearly indicated for visa suitability) (IDP IELTS New Zealand)
- Location and shift expectations
- Employer identity and compliance signals
Step 3: Prepare your police certificate early (post–8 Dec 2025 rule)
Since a valid police certificate must be included with AEWV applications from 8 December 2025, do not wait until you have the job offer to begin the process if your country’s certificate takes time. (Immigration New Zealand)
Step 4: Confirm the employer’s AEWV readiness
Before you resign from any current job or spend heavily, confirm:
- They are accredited
- They have (or will get) an approved job check for your role (Immigration New Zealand)
Step 5: Submit AEWV with strong supporting evidence
Expect to provide:
- Identity documents (passport, photos)
- Health/character evidence (medical/police where relevant) (Immigration New Zealand)
- Employment agreement and role details
- Evidence meeting any experience/qualification requirements (Immigration New Zealand)
10) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Is there a “Caregiver Visa Sponsorship” visa in New Zealand?
Not as a separate visa category. Most “visa sponsorship caregiver jobs” are handled through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) process, where the employer is accredited and has an approved job check. (Immigration New Zealand)
2) What is the minimum pay I should accept?
At a minimum, the job must meet New Zealand employment law, including the minimum wage (currently NZD $23.50/hour as of 1 April 2025). (Employment New Zealand)
If you are targeting the Care Workforce Work to Residence pathway, the relevant wage reference is NZD $28.25/hour (sector wage rate) for the required period. (Immigration New Zealand)
3) How many hours do I need for visa sponsorship under AEWV?
AEWV roles are typically required to be full-time, and commonly at least 30 hours per week. (IDP IELTS New Zealand)
4) Do I need IELTS for caregiver jobs in New Zealand?
Sometimes. INZ can require English evidence for certain lower-skilled classifications unless you are exempt. The exact requirement depends on the occupation skill level and your circumstances. (Immigration New Zealand)
5) What changed about police certificates for AEWV in December 2025?
From 8 December 2025, you must include a valid police certificate with your AEWV application. INZ no longer accepts a receipt showing you applied for one. (Immigration New Zealand)
6) Can caregiver work lead to residence in New Zealand?
It can, for eligible roles and workers. INZ’s Care Workforce Work to Residence pathway generally requires 24 months of care workforce work in New Zealand and pay at or above the sector wage rate for that time. (Immigration New Zealand)
Conclusion
Caregiver/support worker jobs can be a legitimate route to working in New Zealand—but only when you align your job search with how AEWV actually works. The strongest candidates treat “visa sponsorship” as a compliance process: they target accredited employers, insist on clear contracts with proper hours, prepare character and identity evidence early (especially the updated police certificate requirement from 8 December 2025), and track pay carefully if they want the Care Workforce Work to Residence pathway. (Immigration New Zealand)
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