Open work rights for partners of migrant workers

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Open work rights for partners of migrant workers

Steve Baker • November 7, 2024

A Partnership visa currently doesn’t have open work rights.

On 31st May 2023 INZ ushered in some sweeping changes to the work rights of partners of Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV) and Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV) holders.

This change meant that partners of migrant workers applying for their AEWV based on - roles that pay at or above the median wage ($29.66/hr currently) but below twice the median wage AND if that role is NOT included in the Green List - no longer got open work visas.

INZ plan to change this on 2^nd December, 2024.

If your current role is a level 1,2 or 3 ANZSCO role, and your pay rate is above 80% of the median wage ($25.29 or higher) your partner will receive open work rights.

If you meet the above criteria, you will be able to apply for a variation of conditions or a new work visa from 2 December 2024.

If your role is an ANZSCO Level 4 or 5 role the conditions remain unless you are:

earning at least $47.41 an hour (150 percent of the standard median wage), or
earning at least $31.61 an hour in a role on the Green List and meeting the Green List requirements for that role, or
earning at least $25.29 an hour (80 percent of the standard median wage) and meeting the requirements of a role in the Transport or Care Sector Agreements (or the wage specified in the sector agreement, whichever is higher).

If you require support, please contact Steve or Bernadette to discuss your situation further.

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