Find out if your teaching qualification is pre-approved
Your teaching qualification may be pre-approved if it is not for early childhood education (ECE) and was awarded in Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland or South Africa.
In New Zealand, teaching qualifications are awarded after completion of a programme of study specifically designed to prepare individuals to teach in schools (primary, intermediate or secondary), kura (Māori language immersion schools) or in the early learning sector.
If your qualification is pre-approved
If your qualification is pre-approved, you do not need to apply for an IQA to use that qualification to register as a teacher in New Zealand or have your salary assessed.
If you have other qualifications, you may still need to have them evaluated for teacher salary purposes. We recommend you check with the Ministry of Education before applying for an IQA for any other qualifications.
Teacher salary evaluation - Education Payroll (Edpay) (external link)
If your qualification is not on the pre-approved list
You will need to apply for an IQA to register as a teacher in New Zealand and have your salary evaluated.
Working in the early learning (ECE) sector
If you hold a primary teaching qualification but intend to work in the early learning sector (0-6 years of age), you will need to apply for a Teaching IQA even if your qualification is pre-approved.
This is required by the Ministry of Education for ECE centre licensing and funding purposes.