We can assess your organisation’s micro-credential and provide you with a statement of equivalency with the credits and level on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQF).
This service is available to organisations that are not recognised tertiary education organisations (TEOs) in New Zealand. This includes:
- employers
- regulatory and professional bodies
- international education providers.
On this page
Employers and micro-credentials
As an employer with training needs that could be met through a micro-credential, you could consider either:
- working with a TEO to deliver the training your business needs approved by NZQA as a micro-credential. With this option, the delivery and achievement of a micro-credential is quality assured by us
- having your micro-credential assessed for equivalency.
The benefits of equivalency statements
An equivalency statement from us gives you valuable information you can share with your employees, stakeholders, or customers. For example, we may determine that your micro-credential is equivalent to earning 20 credits at Level 4.
As an employer, this can benefit your business by encouraging and supporting your employees to gain the skills and knowledge needed for your business to succeed in the future.
For your employees, this can help them understand the value of the micro-credential and help them plan their careers and invest in continuous learning.
We also keep a list of all the micro-credentials that we have evaluated for equivalence.
Note that under this service, we only assess the micro-credential's equivalency with the NZQCF. We do not assess its quality or how it is delivered.
Register of equivalency
Applying to have your micro-credential assessed for equivalency
To determine the equivalent level and credits of a micro-credential, we'll need some information from you, including:
- the aims of the micro-credential
- the content of the learning (teaching) programme
- how your employees or students will be assessed.
You can apply for micro-credential equivalency by completing the application form and emailing it to us. You need to pay the fee when you apply.
micro-credentials@nzqa.govt.nz
Download the application form [DOCX, 94 KB]
We will process your application within 20 working days.
Fees
For 1 application, we charge $900. Additional costs are charged at $190 per hour if the application takes longer than 4 hours to process.
For 2 to 10 (maximum) applications, we charge $1820. Additional costs are charged at $190 per hour if the applications take longer then 8 hours to process.
These fees do not include GST.
Additional information
We periodically review the register of micro-credential equivalency to make sure it's up to date. Please note that the micro-credentials on the register are not part of the NZQCF.
Changes to a listed micro-credential that affects its equivalent level and credits will require a new equivalency assessment.
We will investigate any concerns we're made aware of. This could result in the micro-credential being removed from the list.