Why Job Check Applications Are Being Declined - And How Employers Can Avoid Costly Delays

Job Check declines are one of the most common—and expensive—setbacks employers face under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) system.

A declined Job Check can delay hiring by months, disrupt workforce planning, and force businesses to restart the process from scratch.

At NZIHS, we continue to hear from employers whose Job Check applications are either being declined or placed under heightened scrutiny by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). The most common issue?Advertised pay rates that do not meet INZ’s assessment of the “market rate.”

What the Job Check Is Designed to Test

The purpose of the Job Check is to confirm that:

• The employer has made a genuine attempt to recruit locally

• The role is genuine and sustainable

• The terms of employment meet New Zealand employment law

• Any migrant hired will meet the skill and experience requirements for the role

To demonstrate this, employers must usually advertise the role nationally, giving New Zealand citizens and residents a fair opportunity to apply.

If suitable local candidates apply, INZ expects employers to:

• Interview those applicants, and

• Assess them properly against the job description based on qualifications and/or relevant work experience

If INZ believes this process has not been done genuinely, the Job Check can be declined.

The Biggest Problem: Pay Rates Below “Market Rate”

The most common reason Job Checks fail is the advertised pay rate.

If INZ considers the wage to be below market rate, they may decide that:

• Local candidates were discouraged from applying, and

• The employer did not make a genuine attempt to recruit within New Zealand

Even when employers believe their rate is fair for the industry, INZ often relies heavily on online job advertising data—particularly platforms such as Seek—to benchmark what the “market rate” should be.

This means:

• Industry norms alone may not be enough

• Pay rates must also align with publicly advertised roles

What INZ Must Be Satisfied Of Before Approving a Job Check

Before a Job Check can be approved, INZ must be satisfied that:

• The employer holds current accreditation

• The employment agreement meets all employment law requirements

• The role has been genuinely advertised (unless an exception applies)

• The employer agrees that any migrant supported will meet the advertised qualification and/or experience requirements

• The pay rate meets or exceeds the market rate

If any one of these elements is weak or inconsistent, the Job Check is at real risk of being declined.

Why Declines Are So Costly for Employers

A declined Job Check doesn’t just slow things down - it often means:

• Restarting the entire advertising period

• Re-lodging the Job Check application

• Losing suitable candidates to competitors

• Increased compliance risk and legal exposure

• Higher recruitment and operational costs

In many cases, these delays could have been avoided with proper preparation from the outset.

How Employers Can Protect Their Job Check Applications

Employers can significantly reduce their risk of decline by:

• Benchmarking wages against current online job listings

• Ensuring job descriptions accurately reflect skill and experience requirements

• Keeping clear records of local recruitment efforts

• Making sure employment agreements are fully compliant

• Aligning the role correctly with skill and pay expectations

Most Job Check problems are not intentional—they come from misunderstandings about how INZ assesses “genuine recruitment” and “market rate.”

Get It Right the First Time

Job Check mistakes are expensive, time-consuming, and frustrating. The safest approach is to seek trusted immigration advice before lodging, not after a decline.

Handled correctly from the start, a Job Check can move smoothly and support a successful work visa application. Handled poorly, it can stall hiring for months.

Disclaimer: This article provides general immigration information only and does not constitute legal advice. Job Check requirements and assessment practices may change. Always seek personalised advice before submitting an employer accreditation or Job Check application.