Hiring in Australia and New Zealand: Visas, Awards, and Talent Pools
Australia and New Zealand offer English-speaking, highly educated workforces in a timezone that bridges APAC and the Americas. But both countries have unique employment frameworks — Australia’s award system and New Zealand’s collective agreements — that foreign employers must understand.
This guide covers everything you need to know about hiring in ANZ in 2026.
The ANZ Talent Market
Australia
- Population: 26.8 million
- Labor force: 14.3 million
- Unemployment rate: 3.8% (ABS, 2026)
- Tech talent shortage: 100,000+ unfilled tech roles (ACS, 2026)
- Key hubs: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth
New Zealand
- Population: 5.3 million
- Labor force: 2.9 million
- Unemployment rate: 4.2% (Stats NZ, 2026)
- Key hubs: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
- English proficiency: Native
Market Characteristics
English-speaking: Both countries are English-first, eliminating language barriers for US/UK companies.
Cultural affinity: Similar business culture to US/UK — direct communication, professional standards, work-life balance emphasis.
Remote work adoption: 48% of Australian professionals work hybrid arrangements (Hays, 2026).
Timezone advantage: ANZ timezones overlap with APAC morning and US afternoon — useful for global companies.
Australian Employment Law
The Award System
Australia’s Modern Award system is unique. Awards are industry or occupation-specific minimum employment standards that cover most employees.
Key awards for tech companies:
- Professional Employees Award: Covers most tech professionals
- Clerks—Private Sector Award: Covers administrative staff
- Fast Food Industry Award: If applicable
What awards set:
- Minimum pay rates (above national minimum wage)
- Overtime rates
- Penalty rates (weekends, public holidays)
- Leave entitlements
- Consultation requirements
Important: Even if you pay above award rates, you must comply with award conditions for overtime, penalties, and leave.
National Employment Standards (NES)
The NES sets 11 minimum entitlements for all employees:
- Maximum weekly hours (38 hours)
- Requests for flexible working arrangements
- Offers and requests to convert from casual to permanent
- Parental leave (up to 12 months unpaid, with government-paid component)
- Annual leave (4 weeks per year)
- Personal/carer’s leave (10 days per year)
- Community service leave
- Long service leave (varies by state)
- Public holidays
- Notice of termination and redundancy pay
- Fair Work Information Statement
Termination
Notice periods:
| Tenure | Minimum Notice |
|---|---|
| <1 year | 1 week |
| 1–3 years | 2 weeks |
| 3–5 years | 3 weeks |
| 5+ years | 4 weeks |
Unfair dismissal: Employees can challenge dismissal through the Fair Work Commission. Protections apply after 6 months (or 12 months for small businesses).
Redundancy pay: 4–16 weeks depending on tenure (for businesses with 15+ employees).
New Zealand Employment Law
Key Legislation
Employment Relations Act 2000: Governs employment relationships, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution.
Holidays Act 2003: Sets leave entitlements.
Minimum Wage Act 1983: Sets minimum wage ($23.15/hour in 2026).
Leave Entitlements
- Annual leave: 4 weeks per year
- Sick leave: 10 days per year (after 6 months)
- Bereavement leave: 3 days for close family, 1 day for others
- Parental leave: Up to 26 weeks government-paid
- Public holidays: 11 days per year
Termination
- 90-day trial period: Employers with fewer than 20 employees can use a 90-day trial period
- Justification required: Dismissal must be for cause, with fair process
- Personal grievance: Employees can raise personal grievances for unjustified dismissal
Salary Benchmarks
Australia (2026, in AUD)
| Role | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Perth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | A$120,000 | A$110,000 | A$100,000 | A$105,000 |
| Senior Engineer | A$160,000 | A$150,000 | A$135,000 | A$140,000 |
| Engineering Manager | A$200,000 | A$190,000 | A$175,000 | A$180,000 |
| Product Manager | A$150,000 | A$140,000 | A$125,000 | A$130,000 |
| Data Scientist | A$130,000 | A$120,000 | A$110,000 | A$115,000 |
Superannuation: Employer must contribute 11.5% (increasing to 12% in 2025) on top of salary.
New Zealand (2026, in NZD)
| Role | Auckland | Wellington | Christchurch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | NZ$110,000 | NZ$105,000 | NZ$95,000 |
| Senior Engineer | NZ$145,000 | NZ$140,000 | NZ$125,000 |
| Engineering Manager | NZ$180,000 | NZ$175,000 | NZ$160,000 |
| Product Manager | NZ$135,000 | NZ$130,000 | NZ$115,000 |
Visas and Work Authorization
Australia
Key visa types for employers:
- Subclass 482 (TSS): Temporary Skill Shortage visa — employer-sponsored, 2–4 years
- Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional): For regional areas
- Subclass 186 (ENS): Employer Nomination Scheme — permanent residency
- Subclass 476 (Recognized Graduate): For recent engineering graduates
Employer requirements:
- Sponsorship approval from Department of Home Affairs
- Labour Market Testing (must advertise locally first)
- Skilled occupation must be on relevant skilled occupation list
- Salary must meet Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT): A$73,150 (2026)
New Zealand
Key visa types:
- Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): Main work visa, employer must be accredited
- Skilled Migrant Category: Points-based permanent residency
- Specific Purpose Work Visa: For short-term assignments
Employer requirements:
- Accreditation with Immigration New Zealand
- Labour market test (must demonstrate no suitable New Zealander available)
- Salary must meet threshold (NZ$29.66/hour for AEWV)
Setting Up in ANZ
Entity Options
Australia:
- Proprietary Limited Company (Pty Ltd): Most common, 1–2 weeks to register
- Branch office: Extension of foreign company
- EOR: Deel, Remote, Papaya Global all operate in Australia
New Zealand:
- Limited Company: Simple registration, 1–2 days online
- Branch office: Registration required
- EOR: Available through major providers
Payroll
Australia:
- Payroll tax: State-based, 0–5.5% depending on state and payroll size
- Superannuation: 11.5% employer contribution
- Workers’ compensation: State-based insurance
- STP (Single Touch Payroll): Real-time reporting to ATO
New Zealand:
- PAYE: Pay As You Earn tax withholding
- ACC (Accident Compensation): Employer levies for workplace accidents
- KiwiSaver: 3% minimum employer contribution (if employee participates)
Recruiting in ANZ
Job Platforms
Australia:
- Seek: Dominant job board, 30M+ visits/month
- LinkedIn: Strong for professional roles
- Indeed Australia: Good for broad reach
- Glassdoor: Growing for employer research
New Zealand:
- Seek NZ: Leading job board
- Trade Me Jobs: Popular alternative
- LinkedIn: Growing for professional roles
Using AI for ANZ Hiring
AI recruiting tools are well-suited for ANZ:
- **AI sourcing Search across ANZ professional networks
- **Resume parsing Handle English-language resumes efficiently
- **Candidate matching Evaluate skills against local market standards
- **Scheduling Coordinate across ANZ timezones
EasyHire AI supports ANZ hiring with AI-powered recruiting automation
FAQ
What’s the biggest difference between Australian and US employment law?
Australia’s award system sets industry-specific minimum conditions for most employees. Unlike the US “at-will” model, Australian employees have significant protections against unfair dismissal and entitlement to redundancy pay.
How much does superannuation cost?
Currently 11.5% of ordinary time earnings, paid by the employer on top of salary. This is a mandatory cost that must be factored into total employment costs.
Can I hire remote workers in ANZ without a local entity?
Yes, through an EOR. This is the fastest way to start hiring in ANZ. For 5+ employees, setting up a local entity is usually more cost-effective.
What’s the notice period for termination?
In Australia, 1–5 weeks depending on tenure. In New Zealand, as specified in the employment contract (typically 1–3 months). Both countries require fair process for termination.
How does AI recruiting work in ANZ?
ANZ has high English proficiency and strong digital adoption, making AI recruiting tools highly effective. Use AI for sourcing, screening, and scheduling while being mindful of local hiring norms.
Ready to Transform Your Hiring?
Australia and New Zealand offer incredible talent in business-friendly environments. With the right approach, you can build a world-class ANZ team.
Try EasyHire AI free or Book a demo to see how our platform supports hiring in ANZ.