Consent to Assess Against Standards on the Directory of Assessment and Skill Standards Rules 2026

2. Commencement

These Rules come into force on 19 January 2026.

Part 1 – Applications and use of sub-contractors

4. Applications for consent to assess where they are not part of an application for accreditation (except from relevant schools)

1. Applicants for accreditation to provide an approved programme or micro-credential which incorporates assessment or skill standards do not need to apply for consent to assess against those standards (sections 441(4A) and 446A(4) of the Act authorise successful accreditation applicants to assess against these standards without needing to apply for a separate consent to assess).
2. Other applicants for consent to assess (except from relevant schools, to which rule 5 applies), must include the following information in their application:
   1. the name and contact details of the applicant:
   2. the scope of the consent sought, covering the classifications and standards, and levels:
   3. where the application relates to unit or skill standards, evidence of the assessment by the relevant standard-setting body of the applicant’s ability to meet the consent and moderation requirements:
   4. for applicants which are tertiary education providers, evidence of how they will comply with the requirements of the Quality Assurance of Tertiary Education Providers rules made from time to time under section 452(1)(t) of the Act:
   5. an explanation of how the scope fits with the applicant’s overall business planning and delivery intentions:
   6. evidence to show the applicant is able to design study or training, particularly in respect of the standards in the application.

5. Applications from relevant schools for consent to assess where the school does not already hold a consent to assess

1. Relevant schools applying for consent to assess must provide the details in paragraphs (a) and (b) of rule 4.2, and make available to NZQA where requested a copy of the documentation required in Schedule 1.
2. Where the application includes unit or skill standards, the relevant school must also provide details as required in paragraph (c) of rule 4.2.

6. Applications from holders of existing consents to assess to extend or reduce the scope of the consent to assess

1. A holder of a consent to assess (other than a relevant school) may at any time apply to extend the scope of the consent, providing the details in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of rule 4.2. 
2. A relevant school may at any time apply to extend the scope of the consent, providing, in respect of the standards to which the application relates:
   1. the information required in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of rule 4.2:
   2. any updates to the documentation required in Schedule 1.
3. A holder of a consent to assess may at any time apply to reduce the scope of the consent to assess by removing a classification or removing one or more standards.

7. Requests for Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance

1. When applying for a consent to assess, an applicant may request that Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance is used for assessment of the application.
2. An applicant making a request under rule 7.1, in addition to providing the information required under rules 4 to 6, must provide the information that the Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance framework and tools require.
3. NZQA will evaluate a request made under rule 7.1, together with the information supplied, in accordance with Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance.
4. For the purposes of requests to use Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance, references in these rules to self-assessment are to be treated as references to self-reflective practice.

8. Use of sub-contractors

1. This rule applies to kinds of institutions which are other bodies (as described in section 10(5) of the Act) and which:
   1. propose to use a sub-contractor in relation to education and training for the consent to assess; and
   2. are either an applicant for, or holder of, a consent to assess.
2. Where the sub-contractor is the holder of a consent to assess against the particular standards involved, other bodies to which this rule applies must supply to NZQA the following information prior to using the sub-contractor:
   1. a copy of the sub-contracting agreement which must outline the responsibilities and obligations of the parties:
   2. the duration of the arrangement:
   3. the reasons for the arrangement:
   4. confirmation that any advertising and other information provided to prospective learners clearly shows that the study or training involved is provided under a sub-contracting arrangement.
3. Where the sub-contractor is not the holder of a consent to assess against the particular standards involved, other bodies to which this rule applies must apply to NZQA for consent to engage the sub-contractor.
4. NZQA will only grant approval to an application under rule 8.3 where it is satisfied that:
   1. the other body remains responsible for the sub-contractor meeting all of the other body's obligations in relation to the consent; and
   2. the sub-contractor will meet all relevant obligations in the Act and in rules made under section 452 of the Act in relation to the consent; and
   3. there is an agreement between the other body and the sub-contractor that includes provisions to ensure that NZQA is able to exercise its quality assurance and enforcement powers and functions in respect of the acts or omissions of the sub-contractor relating to the consent; and
   4. the information and advertising for the study or training clearly states that it is provided through a sub-contracting arrangement; and
   5. all learner enrolments are through the other body, and the other body maintains all student enrolment and academic information; and
   6. the other body will report credits for the learners and pay the relevant credit reporting fee.
5. To continue to maintain approval granted under rule 8.4 the holder of the consent to assess must ensure the sub-contracting is conducted at all times in accordance with the requirements set out in paragraphs (a) to (f) of rule 8.4.
6. Other bodies are not compliant with this rule 8 where the sub-contractor engaged by other bodies purport to further sub-contract the delivery of education or training in respect of the standards to which the consent to assess relates.
7. Sub-contracting requirements for institutions that are tertiary education providers are set out in rules made from time to time under section 452(1)(t) of the Act.

9. Approval of applications for consents to assess

1. 1. NZQA will advise applicants for consents to assess if any of the requirements for the application require further work.
   2. A site visit will be carried out where:
      1. the consent and moderation requirements specify a site visit: or
      2. NZQA considers it appropriate to do so in the circumstances.
   3. Where a standard-setting body does not consider that an applicant for consent to assess will be able to meet the consent and moderation requirements, the standard-setting body must provide a written explanation of its reasons to NZQA and any supporting evidence. 
   4. Where NZQA is satisfied that the requirements for the application have been met, NZQA will grant the consent and advise the applicant.
   5. NZQA will not approve the application, and will advise the applicant accordingly in the following situations:
      1. where NZQA is not satisfied that the requirements for the application are met; or
      2. where the standard-setting body has good reasons to consider that an applicant for consent to assess will not be able to meet the consent and moderation requirements.
   6. Despite rule 9.5(b), where NZQA considers that the inability to meet the consent and moderation requirements can be addressed by conditions imposed under section 450 of the Act, NZQA may choose to approve the application with those conditions.
   7. NZQA will publish on its website the details of successful applicants for a consent to assess. Those details will be removed when the applicant no longer is the holder of the consent.

11. Requirements to be met to maintain consent to assess for relevant schools

1. To maintain consent to assess in respect of the entire consent or particular classifications or standards, relevant schools must:
   1. continue to maintain, and comply with, the quality management system provided for in Schedule 1; and
   2. continue to comply with its relevant obligations in rules made under section 452(1)(m) of the Act for the time being in force; and
   3. in respect of unit and skill standards continue to meet the consent and moderation requirements for the standards to which the consent relates, and accurately report results and credits for students to NZQA.

Part 3 - Revocation

13. Revocation

1. The Consent to Assess Against Standards on the Directory of Assessment Standards Rules 2022 are revoked.

Explanatory note

These Rules set out, in relation to consents to assess against standards for the purposes of section 449 of the Act, -

1. the processes for making applications where the standards involved are not part of an application for an approved programme or micro-credential:
2. the approval process:
3. requirements to maintain the consent:
4. where NZQA consent is needed for changes:
5. requirements relating to the use of sub-contractors by other bodies (requirements for sub-contracting by tertiary education providers are in the Quality Assurance of Tertiary Education Providers Rules made from time to time under section 452(1)(t) of the Act):
6. processes for reductions in the scope of the consent where there is non-use of classifications and standards in the consent for a period of two consecutive years.

These Rules were re-issued on 19 January 2026 to:

1. add a requirement for applicants to show how they will meet the Quality Assurance of Tertiary Education Providers Rules, and to comply with those rules to maintain consent:
2. limit the sub-contracting provision to other bodies following parallel requirements inserted into the Quality Assurance of Tertiary Education Providers Rules for tertiary education providers:
3. update the Schedule to refer to any strategic priorities of the government that are in force rather than refer to specific documents.