This table shows the knowledge and skills students must show to achieve a qualification or credential.
Download the NZQCF level descriptors as a pdf [PDF, 87 KB]
| Level | Descriptor |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Knowledge Has knowledge of some facts and information relevant to a field of study Practice and performance Performs simple activities Critical thinking Identifies simple problems or goals Collaboration Contributes to group or team activities Communication Communicates basic information Environment Highly structured environments Autonomy and responsibility Works or studies mostly under supervision, with limited responsibility for own learning and performance |
| 2 |
Knowledge Has knowledge of some facts and information and understands some concepts relevant to a field of work or study Practice and performance Performs a range of familiar activities Critical thinking Identifies simple problems or goals and recommends a solution or plan Collaboration Contributes to group or team activities and acknowledges views and experiences of others Communication Communicates basic knowledge and shares ideas on familiar topics Environment Highly structured environments Autonomy and responsibility Works or studies under some supervision, with some responsibility for own learning and performance |
| 3 |
Knowledge Has knowledge of some of the key facts and information in a field of work or study and understands the underpinning concepts Practice and performance Performs some unfamiliar activities Critical thinking Examines familiar problems or goals and recommends a solution or plan Collaboration Makes a significant contribution to group or team activities and acknowledges views and experience of others Communication Communicates familiar information and shares ideas on some unfamiliar topics Environment Structured environments Autonomy and responsibility Works or studies mostly autonomously with responsibility for own learning and performance |
| 4 |
Knowledge Has knowledge of the key facts and information in a field of work or study and understands the underpinning concepts and key principles Practice and performance Performs moderately complex or unfamiliar activities Critical thinking Examines unfamiliar problems and recommends a solution or plan Collaboration Helps create a collaborative culture within a group or team by role modelling and encouraging the contributions of others Communication Communicates familiar information and shares ideas on a range of unfamiliar topics Environment Structured environments with some unpredictability Autonomy and responsibility Works or studies autonomously, with responsibility for own learning and performance, and some responsibility for others in workplace contexts |
| 5 |
Knowledge Has in-depth technical or theoretical knowledge in a field of work or study and understands the underpinning concepts and key principles Practice and performance Customises approach for completing moderately complex or unfamiliar activities Critical thinking Applies problem-solving techniques to generate solutions for moderately complex problems Collaboration Leads the creation of a collaborative group or team culture Communication Communicates moderately complex information and shares ideas with a known audience using an appropriate communication medium and method Environment Dynamic enviroments Autonomy and responsibility Responsible for managing activities and projects and for managing others in workplace contexts |
| 6 |
Knowledge Has specialised technical or theoretical knowledge in a field of work or study and understands the underpinning concepts and key principles Practice and performance Develops new methods for completing moderately complex or unfamiliar activities Critical thinking Adapts problem solving techniques to generate solutions for moderately complex problems Collaboration Leads a group or team on moderately complex projects and motivates others Communication Communicates moderately complex information and shares ideas with a range of audiences using customised communication media and methods Environment Dynamic environments with some ambuguity Autonomy and responsibility Responsibility for leading and managing activities and projects and leading and managing one or more teams in workplace contexts |
| 7 |
Knowledge Has a broad knowledge of a range of technical or theoretical concepts and systematic understanding of an area of professional practice or body of knowledge Practice and performance Applies highly developed skills and specialised methods to perform complex activities Critical thinking Examines an area of professional practice or body of knowledge and generates solutions for complex problems Collaboration Leads or collaborates within a group or team on cross-functional projects and motivates others Communication Communicates complex information and shares insights with a range of audiences using optimised communication media and methods Enviroment Dynamic environments with frequent ambiguity Autonomy and responsibility Responsible for own professional practice and development |
| 8 |
Knowledge Has advanced, specialised, technical or theoretical knowledge and understanding of an area of professional practice or discipline Practice and performance Applies advanced skills and specialised methods to perform and adapt complex activities or engage in research Critical thinking Evaluates emerging complex problems in an area of professional practice or body of knowledge and generates and evaluates solutions using sound judgement and integrity Collaboration Leads or collaborates with groups, teams, or leaders on complex or cross-functional projects and motivates others Communication Communicates complex information and shares insights with specialist and non-specialist audiences using optimised communication media and methods Environment Dynamic environments with frequent ambiguity and change Autonomy and responsibility Responsible for contributing to the development of a profession or field of study |
| 9 |
Knowledge Has highly advanced, specialised, technical or theoretical knowledge and understanding, some of which is at the forefront of an area of professional practice or discipline Practice and performance Applies expert skills and methods to create new activities in an area of professional practice or to conduct critical, systematic research Critical thinking Conducts rigorous intellectual analysis of theories, concepts and issues in an area of professional practice or body of knowledge and demonstrates well-developed judgement and integrity to solve complex unpredictable problems Collaboration Leads or collaborates with groups, teams or leaders on complex or cross-functional projects and fosters a culture that values and incorporates diverse perspectives and contributions Communication Communicates highly complex information and shares insights with specialist and non-specialist audiences using a range of media and methods such as a sustained argument, proposition or professional decision Environment Dynamic environments with frequent, emerging issues and change Autonomy and responsibility Some responsibility for leadership within a profession or field of study |
| 10 |
Knowledge Has expert understanding at forefront of an area of professional practice or discipline and generates new knowledge in a specialist field Practice and performance Designs and conducts or supervises substantial research that drives innovation at the forefront of an area of professional practice or discipline Critical thinking Investigates a body of knowledge or area of professional practice and demonstrates authoritative judgement through original research that challenges established knowledge and practice Collaboration Leads or collaborates with specialist and non-specialist leaders, peers, groups or organisations, taking account of social, cultural and ethical considerations Communication Communicates highly complex information and shares insights with specialist and non-specialist audiences through a wide range of media, methods and contexts, such as publication, critical dialogue, specialist and community forums Environment Dynamic environments with frequent, complex issues and unpredictable or uncertain situations Autonomy and responsibility Responsible for leading the ongoing development of a profession or field of study or creating substantial organisational or social change |
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Previous level descriptors
The level descriptors were updated in 2025.
Download a pdf of the level descriptors from 2010-2025 [PDF, 50 KB]