For thousands of people every year, New Zealand and Australia feel like the dream destination — clean cities, peaceful lifestyles, safe communities, decent wages, and a pretty straightforward immigration system compared to a lot of other countries. And as 2026 approaches, both countries remain strong magnets for skilled workers, students transitioning into work, and people hoping to build a long-term future abroad.
But even though the opportunities are real, the rules can feel confusing if you’re navigating them for the first time. Terms like TSMIT, AEWV, sponsorship, nomination, accredited employers, and market rate can make your head spin. This guide breaks everything down simply, honestly, and practically — how sponsorship works, what’s changing in 2026, and the types of jobs that are typically available (including realistic pay ranges).
If you’ve been thinking about moving to New Zealand or Australia for work, this is the place to start.
1. Understanding Visa Sponsorship in NZ & Australia: What It Actually Means
Visa sponsorship basically means an employer in either country is willing to:
- Offer you a genuine job
- Pay you according to official wage rules
- Submit sponsorship paperwork
- And legally “nominate” or support your visa application
It doesn’t mean the company pays for your relocation, flights, or housing (some do… many don’t). It means they’re allowed to hire foreign workers and are taking responsibility for you under immigration rules.
In both countries, sponsored workers must:
- Work for the employer who sponsored them
- Do the exact job listed in their contract
- Maintain valid work visas
- Update immigration if job conditions change
If you lose the job, your visa may no longer be valid (depending on your visa type). So sponsorship is an opportunity, but it’s also a commitment.
2. How Visa Sponsorship Works in New Zealand (2026)
New Zealand relies heavily on the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) for foreign workers. If a company wants to hire you, they must be accredited. The AEWV allows you to work for up to 3 years (depending on your job type) and can often lead to residence if you’re in a skill-shortage or Green List category.
Key AEWV Requirements (2026)
- Accredited Employer
Only accredited employers can sponsor foreign workers. If they’re not on the accreditation list, the job is not valid for sponsorship. - Genuine Job Offer
A proper contract with hours, job description, wage, and location. - Wage Rules
New Zealand removed the strict median-wage requirements in 2025 for many roles.
But employers still must pay a “market rate” — meaning they cannot underpay migrants compared to locals. - Skill & Experience Requirements
These depend on the role. Some jobs require qualifications or proven experience; others (like hospitality or caregiving) may be more flexible. - Health & Character Checks
Standard New Zealand immigration requirement.
3. How Visa Sponsorship Works in Australia (2026)
Australia uses the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa — Subclass 482 and several regional and specialized visas. Sponsorship requirements are stricter than NZ but often lead to much higher salaries.
The biggest rule to understand is:
TSMIT — Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold
As of 2025–2026, sponsored workers must be paid at least AUD 76,515 per year, or MORE if the market rate for that job is higher.
This means:
- Low-wage roles like cashiers, waiters, cleaners, and basic labourers are usually not eligible for sponsorship.
- Skilled roles like engineers, IT professionals, nurses, technicians, mechanics, and managers remain in high demand.
Australia also requires:
- A genuine full-time job contract
- Employer labour-market testing
- Proof of skills/education
- Licensing (for trades, health, engineering, etc.)
4. What’s Changing in 2026?
The world of immigration is constantly shifting, but here’s what’s being felt the strongest going into 2026:
✔ NZ continues loosening wage rules for AEWV
This means more employers can sponsor migrants because they don’t have to meet rigid wage thresholds — but migrants need to be careful to ensure they’re being paid fairly.
✔ Australia is tightening wage and skill requirements
TSMIT continues to rise, meaning sponsored workers must be in reasonably skilled and decently paid jobs.
✔ More focus on “worker protection”
Both countries are cracking down on exploitation, fake job offers, illegal recruiters, and inflated promises. Migrants must ensure employers are legitimate.
✔ More pathways from temporary visas to residence
Especially in sectors:
- Healthcare
- Engineering
- Tech
- Agriculture
- Infrastructure
- Education
Both governments want long-term skilled migrants, not short-term cheap labour.
5. Jobs That Commonly Offer Visa Sponsorship in New Zealand (2026)
Below is a practical list of job categories that regularly offer sponsorship in NZ, plus typical pay ranges. Note: pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
A. Healthcare & Aged Care
| Job | Typical Pay (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $65,000 – $90,000/yr |
| Healthcare Assistant | $25 – $29/hr |
| Support Worker (Disability/Aged Care) | $24 – $28/hr |
| Physiotherapist | $65,000 – $95,000/yr |
| Medical Laboratory Technician | $60,000 – $80,000/yr |
Healthcare roles are among the most secure pathways to residency.
B. Construction & Infrastructure
| Job | Typical Pay (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | $30 – $40/hr |
| Electrician | $35 – $45/hr |
| Plumber | $32 – $45/hr |
| Heavy Machinery Operator | $28 – $38/hr |
| Civil Engineer | $80,000 – $120,000/yr |
Construction is booming in NZ due to housing shortages.
C. Agriculture & Farming
| Job | Typical Pay (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Dairy Farm Assistant | $24 – $28/hr |
| Fruit Picking Supervisor | $25 – $35/hr |
| Farm Technician | $26 – $34/hr |
| Tractor Operator | $26 – $34/hr |
Seasonal work may not offer sponsorship, but full-time farm roles often do.
D. Hospitality & Tourism
| Job | Typical Pay (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Chef / Cook | $27 – $35/hr |
| Baker | $26 – $33/hr |
| Hotel Supervisor | $28 – $36/hr |
| Restaurant Manager | $60,000 – $80,000/yr |
Cooks are in demand, and NZ recently reclassified them to allow easier sponsorship.
E. Transport & Logistics
| Job | Typical Pay (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Truck Driver (Class 4/5) | $28 – $38/hr |
| Forklift Operator | $25 – $30/hr |
| Warehouse Supervisor | $55,000 – $75,000/yr |
Transport shortages are strong nationwide.
6. Jobs That Commonly Offer Sponsorship in Australia (2026)
Because of the high TSMIT salary floor, Australia mostly sponsors medium-to-high skill roles. Here’s what’s most in demand.
A. IT & Engineering Jobs
| Job | Typical Pay (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Software Developer | $90,000 – $140,000/yr |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $110,000 – $160,000/yr |
| Data Scientist | $105,000 – $150,000/yr |
| Network Engineer | $85,000 – $130,000/yr |
| Mechanical Engineer | $95,000 – $140,000/yr |
These easily meet TSMIT and often lead to residency.
B. Healthcare & Medical
| Job | Typical Pay (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $75,000 – $120,000/yr |
| Aged Care Nurse | $70,000 – $95,000/yr |
| GP / Medical Officer | $180,000 – $300,000/yr |
| Radiographer | $90,000 – $130,000/yr |
| Physiotherapist | $80,000 – $110,000/yr |
Australia’s healthcare shortages are severe, especially in regional areas.
C. Trades & Construction
| Job | Typical Pay (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Electrician | $85,000 – $120,000/yr |
| Plumber | $80,000 – $115,000/yr |
| Carpenter | $75,000 – $100,000/yr |
| Welder / Metal Fabricator | $70,000 – $100,000/yr |
| Civil Engineering Technician | $75,000 – $105,000/yr |
Most of these roles meet or exceed TSMIT if full-time.
D. Education & Childcare
| Job | Typical Pay (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood Teacher | $70,000 – $95,000/yr |
| High School Teacher | $80,000 – $115,000/yr |
| Special Needs Teacher | $85,000 – $120,000/yr |
Teachers have a clear pathway to residence in many states.
E. Logistics & Transport
| Job | Typical Pay (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Truck Driver (MC/HC) | $75,000 – $110,000/yr |
| Logistics Manager | $95,000 – $140,000/yr |
| Warehouse Manager | $80,000 – $110,000/yr |
Not all driving jobs meet TSMIT, but specialised transport roles often do.
7. Which Country Is Better for You? (NZ vs. Australia)
There’s no perfect answer — it depends on your job type, qualifications, and goals.
Here’s a quick comparison:
New Zealand is better if you:
- Work in caregiving, support work, farming, tourism, hospitality, or mid-level trades
- Don’t meet Australia’s higher salary requirements
- Prefer a quieter lifestyle or smaller cities
- Want a more flexible wage structure (market-rate, not TSMIT)
Australia is better if you:
- Work in IT, engineering, healthcare, technical trades, or education
- Want higher salaries and more job variety
- Prefer big cities with larger migrant communities
- Want a clearer pathway to permanent residency through skilled migration
8. How to Find Employers Willing to Sponsor You
Here are the most practical places to find real sponsorship jobs — the same ones migration agents point people to.
New Zealand
- Seek.co.nz
- Trademe Jobs
- WorkingIn.nz
- Accredited employer lists
- Industry-specific associations (e.g. nursing, construction, hospitality groups)
Australia
- Seek.com.au
- Workforce Australia
- State government skilled-migration portals
- Employer sponsorship employers lists
- Industry boards (IT, engineering, healthcare, mining)
Pro Tip:
Search using keywords like:
- “Visa sponsorship”
- “482 visa”
- “AEWV”
- “Overseas applicants welcome”
- “Accredited employer”
9. Practical Tips Before You Accept Any Sponsored Job
A job offer doesn’t automatically mean it’s legitimate. Always check:
✔ Is the employer accredited (NZ) or approved (AU)?
If they’re not — don’t proceed.
✔ Does the contract show clear hours & wages?
Avoid vague offers with “to be discussed.”
✔ Does the pay meet the legal threshold?
- NZ: must be at least market rate
- Australia: must meet AUD 76,515+
✔ Does the offer match the actual role you’ll perform?
Immigration officers do check this.
✔ Do you have a copy of the job description?
Required for most visa nominations.
✔ Never pay an employer for a job.
Illegal in both countries.
✔ Avoid “fake recruiters.”
Work only with licensed immigration advisers or official channels.
10. Final Thoughts — Should You Move to NZ or Australia in 2026?
Absolutely — if you plan it well, and choose the right pathway. Both countries offer a high quality of life, strong workers’ rights, and realistic future prospects. But you must choose the country that aligns with your profession, wages, and long-term goals.
If you’re in a high-paying skilled job — Australia is usually the best bet, thanks to wages and PR pathways.
If you’re in mid-level roles or want something more flexible — New Zealand is often easier to enter and settle into.
At the end of the day, visa sponsorship is really just a stepping stone. What matters more is whether the job is real, stable, and pays you fairly. With the right preparation, 2026 can be the year you make that dream move.
