Assuring national consistency of graduate outcomes

How we assure consistency of graduate outcomes across New Zealand qualifications, and links to helpful resources for providers

Assuring national consistency of graduate outcomes through consistency reviews is part of NZQA's quality assurance system.

Graduates can get a New Zealand qualification through a range of education organisations. More than one programme can lead to a single New Zealand qualification.

Assuring national consistency supports the credibility of New Zealand qualifications, here in Aotearoa and overseas.

Consistency reviews

We use consistency reviews to make sure that all graduates of New Zealand qualifications meet the graduate outcomes to an equivalent, nationally acceptable standard.

We review each non-university qualification in Aotearoa every 3 to 5 years.

A consistency review looks at a single qualification and all the education organisations delivering it.

You need to participate in a consistency review if:

  • you developed a qualification under review
  • you deliver a qualification that's under review, and you have 5 or more graduates of that qualification.

If you have fewer than 5 graduates, you do not need to attend. You only need to submit your self-assessment report.

Accreditation and consistency reviews

You need to participate in consistency reviews to maintain accreditation to deliver a qualification.

If you no longer hold accreditation, we still encourage you to participate.

Information for providers

Schedule

View the consistency review schedule and see which qualifications are being reviewed.

Schedule

Reports

Find consistency review reports that we've published in the last 5 years.

Reports

Guidelines

Learn about your obligations and find helpful information in the assuring national consistency guidelines.

Guidelines

Tips

Tips and information about preparing for and participating in a consistency review.

Learn more

Assuring consistency workshops

We run free online workshops throughout the year. Assuring consistency workshops help providers:

  • understand the consistency review process
  • understand how assuring consistency fits into our quality assurance system
  • prepare for a consistency review.

Find dates or register for a workshop

Consistency review fees

To cover the cost of reviews, we charge a consistency fee.

The fee applies to all organisations that report completions of New Zealand qualifications.

Go to our fees page

Choose your approach to consistency review

Te Hono o Te Kahurangi allows you to engage with NZQA using Māori approaches and values.

If your organisation teaches Mātauranga Māori qualifications, you may prefer the Te Hono o Te Kahurangi approach to consistency review.

Learn more

Get more information or give us feedback