NZ Accredited Employer List 2026: Search 24,823+ Verified Sponsors

If you're looking for work in New Zealand on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), the first step is finding an employer who is actually approved to sponsor you. As of 2026, 24823 employers in New Zealand hold active accreditation from Immigration NZ — and you can search all of them in our database.

This page explains what the accredited employer list is, how to search it, which industries have the most sponsors, and how to verify that an employer is legitimate before you apply.

What Is the NZ Accredited Employer List?

Since 2022, New Zealand requires employers to gain government accreditation before they can hire foreign workers. The accredited employer list is the official register of all businesses that have passed Immigration NZ's checks and are approved to sponsor AEWV visas.

This means: if an employer is not on the accredited list, they cannot legally sponsor your work visa. Applying to non-accredited employers wastes your time — always verify accreditation status before submitting an application.

Out of roughly 550,000 businesses in New Zealand, only 24823 hold active accreditation — about 4.5% of all businesses. This accreditation confirms the employer meets minimum standards for hiring migrant workers, including compliance with employment law and commitment to paying at least the median wage.

NZ Accredited Employers by Industry

Accredited employers span every major industry in New Zealand. Here are the top 15 industries by number of accredited employers:

Industry	Accredited Employers	Browse
Accommodation and Food Services	4,027	View employers
Construction	3,529	View employers
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing	2,560	View employers
Retail Trade	2,270	View employers
Manufacturing	2,107	View employers
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services	1,692	View employers
Other Services	1,637	View employers
Health Care and Social Assistance	1,395	View employers
Transport, Postal and Warehousing	1,292	View employers
Administrative and Support Services	1,039	View employers
Education and Training	850	View employers
Wholesale Trade	759	View employers
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services	433	View employers
Information Media and Telecommunications	340	View employers
Financial and Insurance Services	318	View employers

Accommodation and Food Services leads with over 4,000 accredited employers — reflecting New Zealand's strong tourism and hospitality sector. Construction follows closely, driven by ongoing infrastructure projects and housing demand. Agriculture remains a major employer of foreign workers, particularly in dairy, horticulture, and viticulture.

How to Search the Accredited Employer List

Option 1: Immigration NZ Official Tool

Immigration New Zealand maintains an online accreditation check tool where you can search by employer name. This tool confirms whether an employer currently holds active accreditation but does not provide industry breakdowns, historical data, or company profiles.

Option 2: ApplyWave Database (Recommended)

Our database tracks all 24823 accredited employers with additional data including:

• Industry sector — filter employers by your profession
• Company profiles — see company details, size, and sponsorship history
• Direct links — apply directly to employers without a middleman

Search the full NZ accredited employer list on ApplyWave

You can browse by industry — for example, construction employers, healthcare employers, hospitality employers, or agriculture employers.

How Employer Accreditation Works

Immigration NZ introduced employer accreditation in 2022 as part of the AEWV system. Every employer that wants to hire a foreign worker must first prove they meet government standards.

Two Types of Accreditation

Type	Workers Allowed	Fee (NZD)	Duration
Standard	Up to 5 at any time	$740	12 months (first), 24 months (renewal)
High-Volume / Triangular	6+ / labour hire	$1,220	12 months (first), 24 months (renewal)

Most employers hold Standard accreditation, which allows hiring up to 5 migrant workers at any time. High-volume accreditation is for larger employers or labour hire companies that need to sponsor 6 or more workers. Triangular accreditation is specifically for recruitment agencies that place workers at third-party worksites.

What Employers Must Prove

• The business is genuine and actively trading in New Zealand
• No history of breaching employment or immigration law
• Commitment to paying at least the median wage (NZD 31.61/hr) — this is a legal minimum for AEWV roles
• HR practices that support migrant workers, including workplace orientation and accommodation assistance for certain roles
• High-volume employers must also have formal HR policies, a settlement support plan, and undergo annual compliance checks

Red Flags: How to Spot Untrustworthy Employers

Accreditation provides a baseline of employer quality, but it does not guarantee a good workplace. Even accredited employers can engage in exploitative practices. Watch for these warning signs:

• Asking you to pay for the Job Check or accreditation fees — these are employer costs by law, not worker costs. Any employer asking you to cover these expenses is violating the rules
• Offering a salary below the median wage (NZD 31.61/hr) — this is a legal requirement for AEWV. If they offer less, your visa application will be declined
• Requiring unpaid "trial periods" or "training" — unpaid trial work is illegal in New Zealand
• Withholding your passport or travel documents — this is a criminal offence in New Zealand
• Vague job descriptions — the Job Check requires a specific role; vague offers suggest the employer may not have genuine work
• Charging recruitment fees — licensed employers should not charge workers for the recruitment process

If you experience any of these, report to Employment New Zealand (0800 20 90 20) or the Employment Relations Authority.

Job Search Strategy: Using the Accredited Employer List

1. Start with accredited employers only — applying to non-accredited employers wastes time since they cannot sponsor AEWV visas. Always verify before applying
2. Filter by your industry — use the industry breakdown above to find employers in your sector. Focus on industries with the highest number of sponsors for more opportunities
3. Check company profiles — many accredited employers on ApplyWave have detailed profiles with company information and sponsorship history
4. Target high-volume accredited employers — these companies hire multiple foreign workers and have established visa processes, making sponsorship more likely
5. Apply directly — many NZ employers prefer direct applications. Use our free tools to tailor your resume and track applications
6. Consider regional demand — Auckland has the most accredited employers, but regions like Canterbury, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty often have less competition and lower living costs

Accreditation Renewal and Compliance

First-time accreditation lasts 12 months; renewals extend to 24 months. Employers must reapply before their accreditation expires. If an employer's accreditation lapses, existing AEWV holders can continue working until their visa expires, but the employer cannot sponsor new workers.

Immigration NZ actively monitors accredited employers through compliance checks. In 2024, several employers lost accreditation due to underpayment, breach of employment standards, and failure to provide agreed working conditions. This enforcement provides an important layer of protection for migrant workers — and is one reason why checking the accredited employer list before applying is essential.

2026 Updates to the Accredited Employer System

The New Zealand government has indicated potential changes to the AEWV system in 2026, including:

• Sector-specific caps — some industries may face limits on the number of AEWV visas issued
• Stricter compliance requirements — employers with previous issues may face more frequent audits
• Median wage adjustments — the median wage threshold is reviewed annually and may increase

These changes make it even more important to target accredited employers early and ensure your application is well-prepared.

Start Your Search

Search all 24823 accredited employers in New Zealand. Filter by industry, check company profiles, and apply directly. You can also explore specific sectors like construction, healthcare, hospitality, and agriculture.

Related Guides

• Complete guide to the AEWV visa — requirements, process, and costs
• Which NZ industries hire the most foreign workers?
• NZ vs Australia: which country sponsors more?
• How to write a cover letter — prepare before applying to employers