Work to Residence Wage Threshold Changes in August 2026
Effective 24 August 2026, INZ have changed the requirement regarding the Skill Migrant Category Resident Visa (RV) required wage threshold.
Currently, to be on a Work to Residence pathway, a person has to be on a Green List role (e.g. Herd Manager), meet the requirements — performing the ANZSCO duties for the role for 2 years and be paid at the RV rate from the time that you were promoted to that role (see rates table). But then once those 2 years are completed (including proof of being paid at that rate for each pay period) at the time of application, formerly the pay needed to show a raise to that the period’s RV rate.
With the upcoming August change, there are two important benefits to you if you’re looking to apply for residence:
- you will not have to change pay rates at time of application to the current RV median wage— currently at $35/hour.
- if you do a Job Change and you’re making $33.56, you no longer have to be paid by the new employer at the current median wage to maintain your RV pathway (note that even for a Job Change, the new employer must have Accreditation and a Job Token for the role, e.g., done a Job Check).
Required RV Rate by Period
| Period | Median Wage |
|---|---|
| 4 July 2022 - 26 February 2023 | $27.76 p/hour |
| 27 February 2023 - 27 February 2024 | $29.66 p/hour |
| 28 February 2024 - 17 August 2025 | $31.61 p/hour |
| 18 August 2025 - 8 March 2026 | $33.56 p/hour |
| 9 March 2026 - | $35.00 p/hour |
Note that:
This is a general guide; there are personal circumstances and other rules & exceptions that are considered about meeting RV.
If you’re not sure if you’re on the pathway, you can always engage a FRENZ immigration adviser to undertake a Residence Pathway assessment for you as well as your family.
Contact us HERE.
