eQuate December 2022

Transitioning from training schemes to micro-credentials

All approved training schemes are now being treated as micro-credentials following amendment of the Education and Training Act 2020.

This means that no new training schemes will be approved by NZQA. Existing training schemes will continue until micro-credential rules come into effect. When these rules apply, we will notify you to establish a timeframe for reviewing existing schemes to ensure they meet the requirements of the new rules.

This will likely require applications for either changes to, or new micro-credentials. In rare cases, some providers may need to develop new qualifications.

In the meantime, if you are not using your approval for any NZQA-approved training scheme, please notify us by 31 January 2023 so that it can be retired and not included in requests for review under the new rules.

Please e-mail your notification to:

micro-credentials@nzqa.govt.nz

Code of Pastoral Care

Proposal to combine international and domestic tertiary dispute resolution schemes

The Ministry of Education (MoE) is consulting on a proposal to combine the Domestic Tertiary Student Dispute Resolution Scheme and the International Student Dispute Resolution Scheme. Consultation is open now and will close on 19 December 2022.

The intention is to simplify the system for learners and providers, making it easier to access and navigate. MoE expects that the combined scheme will be in place for 2024. The ministry is keen to hear your views and the views of your learners and their whānau.

More information is available at:

Combined Tertiary and International Dispute Resolution Scheme – Conversation space (education.govt.nz) (external link).

If you would like to provide a written submission or arrange a kōrero to discuss the proposals, please email:

drs@education.govt.nz

Code self-review attestation

Thank you to everyone who has already submitted a Code self-review attestation form.

• The Code attestation form for PTEs and wānanga was due 1 November 2022
• The Code attestation form for schools was due 1 December 2022

If you have not completed the attestation, please do so. If you have not received a link or are having difficulty completing the form, please contact the Code team, details below.

For resources to support your self-review process, see: 

Self-review and attestation on the NZQA website (external link)

Any questions about the Code?

Go to the Tertiary and International Learners Code of Practice section of our site (external link)(external link)

If you have any questions, please contact us at email:

code.enquiries@nzqa.govt.nz

Or call 0800 697 296 and ask for the Code team.

NZQA processes

TEO issue of New Zealand qualification and micro-credentials achievement certificates

The new specifications for the format of certificates for qualifications and micro-credentials are now on the NZQA website.

Go to the specifications (external link)

If you need copies of the NZQF logos referred to, please contact our Client Services team at: 

qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz

Lapse of programme accreditation or micro-credential approval

If a programme or micro-credential has not been delivered for 12 months or more, the provider’s programme accreditation or approval to provide the micro-credential will lapse.

You can apply for an extension to programme accreditation or micro-credential approval prior to the date of any such lapse by emailing: 

qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz

New rules are being proposed for the approval and accreditation of micro-credentials. If your organisation already has approved micro-credentials, you will continue to hold approval for these. From 2023, existing micro-credentials will be aligned with the new rules.

Keeping your PTE registration status current

Where your organisation has accreditation for only one programme or approved micro-credential, and it is not delivered for 12 months of more, the organisation’s registration will lapse.

To avoid this, you can apply for an extension of time to stop your programme or micro-credential from lapsing. This also prevents your registration from lapsing. Apply for this extension before the 12 months of non-usage ends by emailing: 

qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz.

For more information about PTE registration see:

• Guidelines for applying for registration as a private training establishment (external link)
• Guidelines for maintaining registration as a private training establishment (external link)

Change of ownership

Registered private training establishments planning a Sale of Shares, Transfer of Shares or Introduction of new Shareholders must apply for NZQA approval pursuant to Rule 6.1.1(b) of the Private Training Establishment Registration Rules 2021.

Applications must be made no less than 30 working days before the proposed transaction completion or settlement date.

An application for outlines the information that a PTE must provide to NZQA. The application must be submitted online.

Application for change of ownership of a registered PTE [DOCX, 79 KB]
(external link)

Submit an application online(external link)

For more information see: 

Change of ownership (external link)

Permanent delivery sites – what to apply for

If you are a Category 1 or 2 TEO intending to deliver a programme at levels 1-6 or a Level 7 Diploma, please complete the site approval form.

Permanent Delivery Site Approval Form [DOCX, 181 KB](external link)

If you are a Category 1 or 2 TEO intending to deliver a degree (levels 7-10) at a new delivery site, please submit a Type 2 change application to NZQA for that degree programme.

The NZQA website has information about approving delivery sites, see:

Approval of delivery sites (external link)(external link)

If you have any questions about programme applications, please email us at:

approval_accreditation@nzqa.govt.nz.