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Labor Laws in New Zealand

  • Annual Leave: 20 days
  • Maternity Leave: 26 weeks
  • Public Holidays: 11
  • Workweek: 40 hours per week.

Income Tax in New Zealand

New Zealand has a progressive income tax with rates from 10.5% to 39%.

Value Added Tax (VAT) in New Zealand

The standard GST rate is 15%.

Social Security in New Zealand

Employer Contributions

  • KiwiSaver: Employers must contribute a minimum of 3% of the employee's gross salary or wages to the KiwiSaver retirement savings scheme. This is in addition to the employee's salary.
  • ACC Levies: Employers pay levies to cover the cost of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) scheme, which provides comprehensive no-fault personal injury cover for all New Zealand residents and visitors. The average levy for businesses is around 0.67% of wages.

Employee Contributions

  • KiwiSaver: Employees can choose to contribute 3%, 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10% of their gross salary to KiwiSaver. New employees are automatically enrolled but can opt out.
  • ACC Earners' Levy: Employees pay a levy (currently 1.27% of earnings) to cover non-work-related injuries.

Work Visas in New Zealand

Here are the main work visas available in New Zealand:

Essential Skills Work Visa

  • For individuals with a job offer in an occupation that is in demand in New Zealand.
  • The visa duration depends on the skill level of the job and the labor market situation.

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

  • For workers who have a job offer from an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand.
  • This visa can lead to residence after two years of employment with the accredited employer.

Post-Study Work Visa

  • For individuals with a job offer in an occupation that is in demand in New Zealand.
  • The visa duration depends on the skill level of the job and the labor market situation.

Essential Skills Work Visa

  • For international students who have completed a qualification in New Zealand.
  • Allows graduates to work for any employer in New Zealand for up to three years, depending on their qualifications.

Long-Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa

  • For individuals with skills that are in demand in New Zealand as identified in the Long-Term Skill Shortage List.
  • This visa can also lead to residency.

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