About these guidelines
These guidelines support education organisations applying to list New Zealand Certificates at Levels 1 to 6 and New Zealand Diplomas at Levels 5 to 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).
To list a New Zealand qualification on the NZQCF, an application must meet the requirements of the Qualification and Micro-credential Listing and Operational Rules 2022.
These guidelines set out NZQA’s expectations for a quality application that meets the Rules. They address and explain each listing requirement and offer guidance on the evidence required to support an application.
If you prefer you can download this guide as a PDF:
On this page
Context
Section 452 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (The Act) gives NZQA the authority to make rules for the quality assurance processes for which it is responsible. Under section 436 of the Act, qualifications must be listed on the NZQCF.
Education and Training Act 2020 (external link)
The Qualification and Micro-credential Listing and Operational Rules 2022 govern the listing of micro-credentials on the NZQCF.
Qualification and Micro-credential Listing and Operational Rules 2022
Use of te Reo Māori
A qualification may be listed in te reo Māori instead of or in addition to English, and in place of the words “New Zealand” a reo Māori translation for “New Zealand” may be used for the purposes of rule 5.2(a).
The use of te reo Māori in listed qualifications must be consistent with aspirations for Mātauranga Māori.
Where qualifications are listed in te reo Māori, the listing details in rule 4.1(c) and (d)(i) will contain an English description.
Listing rules 7.1, 7.3, 7.4
Education organisations can choose between two evaluative approaches when they send an application to NZQA. They can choose either the standard approach, or Te Hono o Te Kahurangi.
If an organisation uses kaupapa Māori and has a mātauranga Māori focus, Te Hono o Te Kahurangi allows engagement with NZQA using Māori approaches and values. The framework also contains practices that will add to learner success by assuring national consistency.
In addition to providing the relevant information required under NZQCF Listing Rules 4-7, applicants must provide the information that Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance framework requires.
Applicants with qualifications that are written in te reo evaluation should contact our team:
Application requirements
NZQA evaluates the qualification against the requirements of the Qualification and Micro-credential Listing and Operational Rules 2022 and considers the application using the following key evaluation question: How well does the qualification meet the overall requirements for listing on the NZQCF?
The Qualification and Micro-credential Listing and Operational Rules 2022
For a listing to be approved the application needs to include all of the following:
- The qualification meets the requirements for listing.
- The qualification’s purpose and outcomes match the identified needs of employers, industry and/or communities.
- No significant gaps or weaknesses in the application or evidence provided.
A listing will not be approved when any of the above are not evident.
NZQCF listing
The title for the qualification properly reflects the qualification:
Must not include the name of a person, organisation, or product unless the applicant satisfies the quality assurance body that there is a sound educational justification for the inclusion.
Listing rule 4.1 (a) and 5.2 (d)
The title should be a concise, accurate and informative indication of the purpose of the qualification.
Designators should identify the main discipline or subject of the qualification.
Consider:
- national or international acceptability and recognition
- requirements of professional bodies formally involved in the qualification
- alignment with the New Zealand Standard of Classification of Education (NZSCED)
After the words “New Zealand” or “NZQCF” (except for NCEA) will be the qualification type, then the designator that identifies the main discipline or subject field of the qualification, followed by its level:
The title may include other qualifiers such as:
(i) the country or countries other than New Zealand in which it has a predominant use:
(ii) optional discipline and focus qualifiers:
(iii) strands that recognise achievement or specialties:
Listing rule 5.2 (b) and (c)
Qualifiers may be added to the title of the qualification if this improves general understanding of the qualification. Qualifiers should reflect the level of the qualification and be suitable for certification.
Strands must be included in the title.
Examples of titles listed in English
With or without level:
- New Zealand Certificate in Entertainment and Event Technology
- New Zealand Certificate in Fixed Fire Protection Systems (Level 4)
With discipline or context:
- New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Farming Systems) (Level 3)
- New Zealand Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Education (Vocational/Workplace) (Level 5)
With elective strands (to recognise more than one speciality):
- New Zealand Certificate in Trade Baking (Craft) (Level 4) with strands in Bread, Cake and Biscuit, and Pastry
With optional strands (to recognise additional outcomes):
- New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution) (Level 4) with optional strand in Live Low Voltage Lines.
Qualifications designed for use in a country or countries other than New Zealand may use ‘NZQCF’:
- NZQF Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Level 4) with optional strand in Practice-based Care (will be updated to NZQCF at next review)
Where qualifications are listed in te reo Māori, the listing details in rule 4.1(c) and (d)(i) will contain an English description.
Listing rule 7.4
Example of titles listed in te reo Māori
Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Rumaki, Reo Rua) (Te Kaupae 4)
New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo (Rumaki, Reo Rua) (Level 4)
Te Pou Tautoko i te Ora (Kaupae 4)
New Zealand Certificate in Social Services (Māori) (Level 4)
Te Puāwaitanga o te Mokopuna (Kaupae 4)
New Zealand Certificate in a Māori World View of Early Learning (Level 4)
Responsibilities of qualification developers
Qualification developers must:
- review the qualification within each review period specified for it, following the current guidelines published by the quality assurance body on its website:
- actively participate and cooperate in the process of NZQA initiated wider reviews of suites of qualifications, and of individual qualifications, and provide information requested by NZQA for the purposes of the process.
Qualification developers have a further responsibility to actively participate and cooperate in the process of assuring consistency of graduates of New Zealand qualifications at levels 1 – 6 and diplomas at level 7.
Listing rules 15.1 and 15.2
Education organisations wishing to list New Zealand qualifications on the NZQCF must be capable of meeting all the responsibilities of a qualification developer:
- determining the core evidence requirements to assure national consistency of graduate outcomes achieved by graduates
- ensuring a qualification is reviewed within each review period specified
- actively participating and cooperating in NZQA initiated wider reviews of suites of qualifications if requested
- clarifying the evidence requirements for assuring national consistency when requested by programme owners and other stakeholders.
Where there is a group of organisations collaborating in the development of a single qualification, the group needs to either:
- nominate one of the organisations’ body corporates to undertake the functions and responsibilities of the qualification developer, or
- establish a body corporate to undertake the functions and responsibilities of the qualification developer. Where the body is not currently recognised as a tertiary education organisation, they will need to obtain a TEO reporting code to list the qualifications.
Unsatisfactory review
NZQA may consider from the outcome of a review that satisfactory outcomes are not being achieved for learners. If this happens, NZQA may request a further review process including consultation with known stakeholders; or reach an interim decision and engage stakeholders to inform a final decision. This may lead to changes to relevant listing details of the qualification and/or assigning expiring status to it. (Listing rule 17.)
Award of the qualification
The listing must include the name or kind of body that awards, or combination of bodies that award, the qualification
Listing rule 4.1 (h)
Qualifications may be awarded by:
- an institution with a programme approval
- an institution accredited to provide an approved programme
- the qualification developer where there is good reason
- NZQA where there is good reason
Listing rule 18.2
Issuing certificates
The printing specifications for the formal certification document are available on our website:
New Zealand Certificate and Diploma specifications
These are:
- qualification title and level
- NZQCF reference number
- date of issue and/or award
- the name or logo of the awarding body or qualification developer
- NZQCF logo
- the language of instruction of a programme leading to the award of the qualification if this is a language other than English or te reo Māori.
The formal certification document may also include the title of the approved programme that was completed.
How to apply for listing
Application instructions are set out on our page:
Submitting an application for qualification listing or review
When the application is received, an NZQA case number is emailed to the applicant. This number stays with the application through to its outcome.
The application is assigned to the Approvals and Accreditation team or Quality Assurance Māori team. When allocated, an email will advise the applicant of the Evaluator’s name and contact details.
Supporting documents
- the completed application form
- a summary of the stakeholder profile and determined need
- separate documents for each qualification prepared in the approved Word template
- a change report, for publication on the NZQA website
- additional supporting documents (other than WDCs): full stakeholder profile and needs analysis reports; and completed and signed attestations from key stakeholders.
Reviewing NZQCF qualifications
Qualifications must be periodically reviewed to ensure they remain relevant, fit for purpose and continue to meet the needs of the learners, industry and stakeholders.
Qualification reviews are part of the lifecycle of a qualification and ensure the purpose and graduate profile read clearly, meet the needs of end users and guide programme owners.
Every qualification has a listed review date. The qualification developer needs to begin a formal review process before that date.