Accommodation and transport

Seasonal Workers · Know your rights

Where you live affects your health and your pay packet.

What you should get

• PALM: accommodation must be fair and good value, charged at cost (no profit), and the cost must be explained in your offer of employment, including what is included.
• PALM: you may arrange your own accommodation, and your employer must not pressure you either way.
• RSE: your employer must provide safe, approved accommodation and free transport to and from work.
• RSE: from early 2027, announced changes include internet access at worker accommodation (not yet in force).

Check for

• Weekly rent and what it includes (power, water, cleaning)
• How many people share a room

What you can do

• Take photos of the accommodation when you arrive. Raise problems early with your employer, then the support line.

Sources: PALM — Accommodation requirements checklist (PDF) · Immigration NZ — Your rights as an RSE worker · Immigration NZ — Changes announced to the RSE scheme (28 July 2026)

This card is general information, not legal advice. Laws differ by country. Information checked 2 October 2026. For help, see piowr.org/seasonal-workers and piowr.org/tools/find-help.

Pacific Institute of Workplace Relations · Fair Conditions At Work · piowr.org