Fairer Accommodation Costs for RSE Workers to Take Effect from April 2026

The new approach follows months of conversations with Pacific communities, employers, industry groups and government agencies. The message coming through those discussions was clear accommodation rules needed to be fairer, easier to understand and more consistent across the board. That is exactly what the updated system is trying to do.

From April 2026, RSE worker accommodation costs will be handled a little differently and for many workers and employers, that change can’t come soon enough.

Under the new rules, there will be set weekly rent caps, ranging from NZD $150 to NZD $211. Where accommodation sits within that range will depend on what is actually being offered. Things like how many people are sharing a bedroom, how old the building is and how close and accessible bathrooms are will all be taken into account. In simple terms, better quality housing can justify a higher rent, while more basic accommodation cannot.

There is also a firm line being drawn around costs. Employers will only be able to recover the real cost of providing accommodation and any charges must be reasonable. Existing employment laws still apply, including the Minimum Wage Act and the Wages Protection Act, meaning employers remain responsible for ensuring deductions are lawful and fair.

One of the more important shifts is the focus on transparency. Accommodation quality will be checked and monitored using clear, published criteria, so that the workers are aware what they are paying for and the employers know where their position is. To keep things realistic on a long run, rent caps will be reviewed and updated every year to reflect inflation.

These changes are part of a wider effort to strengthen the RSE scheme and make sure it remains sustainable in the long term. Accommodation standards will also be looked at again during the broader RSE policy review scheduled for 2026.

More detailed guidance will be released before the rules come into force, giving everyone time to prepare. But for now the objectives are clear. More transparent rules, fairer costs and a much stronger focus on decent living conditions for seasonal workers.