Your organisation must be an approved signatory to the current Code before you enrol any international students.
Who can apply
The following education providers can apply to become signatories to the Code:
- a registered school
- an institution (as defined in section 10 of the Education and Training Act 2020)
- an NZQA-registered private training establishment (PTE).
See section 10 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (external link)
On this page
How to apply
Schools
To apply to become a signatory, please complete the application form and supply the supporting information requested on the form:
Application to become a School Signatory to the Code [DOCX, 113 KB]
Email us your completed application
Tertiary education organisations
To apply to become a signatory, please complete the application form and supply the supporting information requested on the form:
Application to become a Tertiary Signatory to the Code [DOCX, 105 KB]
Log in to the provider portal to submit your application (external link)
Application timeframes
Please note the information on the application form:
As Code administrator, NZQA will review this application against the requirements of the Code and the criteria for becoming a signatory.
NZQA will acknowledge the application and continue to advise you on the progress of the application. You may be asked to provide additional information or evidence with a Request for Further Information (RFI) report. The approval process can take up to 45 working days from receipt of the application.
Education organisations must not recruit or enrol international students until signatory status is approved.
Approval as a school hostel
The Ministry of Education is the designated hostel licensing authority. It oversees hostel license approvals and renewals.
To make an application to set up a new hostel or for more information, please visit the Ministry’s website or email the hostel team:
Running a hostel (external link) - education.govt
Exchange programme organisations
New Zealand-approved exchange programme organisations must meet the relevant outcomes of the Code of Practice, although they cannot be signatories to the Code of Practice.
Find out more about exchange programme organisations:
Exchange Programme Organisations (EPOs) (external link) - Ministry of Education
The responsibilities of signatories
After becoming a signatory to the Code, you must:
- undertake and document self-review of your performance against the required outcomes and processes set out in the Code of Practice
- attest to NZQA annually about the completion of this self-review.
Find out more about your responsibilities as a signatory:
Code News
Code News is our dedicated newsletter about quality assurance of pastoral care under the Code. It is released regularly.