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NZQA rules
NZQA operates under the following legislation: The Education and Training Act 2020 and the Crown Entities Act 2004.
Authority
All of NZQA's rules are made under section 452 of the Education and Training Act 2020 and have been approved by the NZQA Board and, when required, the appropriate Minister of the Crown.
Assessment and examination rules
The following rules are concerned with assessment (internal and external) of learning at secondary school level:
From 1 February 2023, the NZQA Assessment Rules for Schools, TEOs assessing against Achievement Standards, and Candidates 2023 revokes the following rules:
- Assessment (including Examination) Rules for Schools with Consent to Assess 2022 (PDF, 571KB)
- Assessment (including Examination) Rules for Tertiary Education Organisations with Consent to Assess Entering Candidates for Achievement Standards 2022 (PDF, 2MB)
- Assessment (including Examination) Rules for Home-Schooled Students 2022 (PDF, 713KB)
NZQA will process requests for reviews and reconsiderations under the rules that applied when the request was made.
Private training establishment rules
The following NZQA rules relate to the establishment and operation of private training establishments (PTEs):
- PTE Registration Rules 2022
- Annual fee rules 2022
- PTE Enrolment and Academic Records Rules 2022
- Student Fee Protection 2022
- Student Funds Trust Deposit Exemption Rules 2022
- Refund Criteria for Courses of Less Than Three Months - Gazette notice 2003 (Note that the parts of this Notice relating to exempt courses has been replaced by the Education (Exempt Training Schemes) Notice 2012
- NZQA specified withdrawal periods and refund amounts for domestic students on courses of under 3 months (PDF, 230KB) (applies to enrolments on or after 30 September 2018)
- Education Refund Requirements for International Students Notice 2012 (for courses of 3 months or more).
Quality Assurance rules
Quality Assurance (including External Evaluation and Review (EER)) Rules 2022 - for all Tertiary Education Organisations other than Universities.
New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) rules
The following NZQA rules relate to the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).
- Qualification and Micro-credential Listing and Operational Rules 2022
- Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2022
- Micro-credential Approval and Accreditation 2022
- Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2022
- Secondary School Qualification for which Accreditation Not Required - Gazette Notice
- Education (Exempt Training Schemes) Notice 2012
Standards-related rules
The following NZQA rules relate to standards listed on the Directory of Assessment and Skill Standards.
Expired / Revoked rules
The following policies, criteria and rules have expired and thus are no longer in force.
Assessment and examination rules
Schools with consent to assess
- 2013 (PDF, 15MB)
- 2014 (PDF, 16MB)
- 2014 Amendment No 1 (PDF, 2.3MB)
- 2015 (PDF, 58MB)
- 2016 (PDF, 17MB)
- 2017 (PDF, 2.9MB)
- 2018 (PDF, 33MB)
- 2018 Amendment No 1 (PDF, 920KB)
- 2019 (PDF, 16MB)
- 2020 (PDF, 16MB)
- 2020 Amendment No 1 (PDF, 1.3MB)
- 2020 Amendment No 2 (PDF, 2.8MB)
- 2020 Amendment No 3 (PDF, 1.9MB)
- 2021 (PDF, 612KB)
- 2021 Amendment No. 1 (PDF, 166KB)
- 2021 Amendment No. 2 (PDF, 6MB)
- 2022 (PDF, 571KB)
- 2022 Amendment No. 1 (PDF, 188KB)
Tertiary education organisations with consent to assess
- 2013 (PDF, 634KB)
- 2014 (PDF, 800KB)
- 2015 (PDF, 4.1MB)
- 2016 (PDF, 4MB)
- 2017 (PDF, 2.8MB)
- 2018 (PDF, 3.8MB)
- 2019 (PDF, 3.9MB)
- 2020 (PDF, 3.3MB)
- 2021 (PDF, 245KB)
- 2022 (PDF, 2MB)
Home schools
- 2013 (PDF, 1.2MB)
- 2014 (PDF, 1.1MB)
- 2015 (PDF, 1.3MB)
- 2016 (PDF, 1.3MB)
- 2017 (PDF, 1MB)
- 2018 (PDF, 1.3MB)
- 2019 (PDF, 1MB)
- 2020 (PDF, 769KB)
- 2021 (PDF, 129KB)
- 2022 (PDF, 713KB)
NZQA Assessment Rules for Schools, TEOs assessing against Achievement Standards, and Candidates
NZQA Assessment Rules for Schools, TEOs assessing against Achievement Standards, and Candidates 2023 (PDF, 508KB) (14 December 2022)
Revocation of the NZQA Assessment Rules for Schools, TEOs assessing against Achievement Standards, and Candidates 2023 (PDF, 114KB) made on 20 December 2022
Private Training Establishment and Industry Training Organisation related Rules
Annual fees
NZ Diploma in Business
Assessment rules and procedures for granting the NZ Diploma in Business 2009 (replaced by conditions imposed under section 250A (4) and (5) of the Education Act 1989 on 21 December 2012)
Private training establishment enrolment and academic records
The PTE Enrolment and Academic Records Rules 2012 (PDF, 3.7MB) , with the following amendments:
Private Training Establishment Enrolment and Academic Records Rules 2021 (PDF, 286KB)
Private training establishment registration
Policies and criteria for ongoing registration of PTEs (PDF, 121KB) (replaced by the Private Training Establishment Registration Rules 2013).
The Private Training Establishment Registration Rules 2013 (PDF, 677KB) had the following amendments:
- 2014 amendment (PDF, 633KB)
- 2015 amendment (PDF, 734KB)
- Version 3 including 2014 and 2015 amendments (PDF, 852KB)
- 2016 amendment (PDF, 617KB)
- 2017 amendment (PDF, 712KB)
These were replaced by the Private Training Establishment Registration Rules 2018 (PDF, 1MB).
Here is the signed version of the 2018 Rules (PDF, 3.4MB).
Private Training Establishment Registration Rules 2021 (PDF, 356KB)
Private training establishment registration fee
PTE Annual Registration Fee Rules 2011 (PDF, 608KB)
PTE Annual Registration Fee Rules (No.2) 2011 (PDF, 576KB)
Student fee protection
Student fee protection policy (replaced by the Student Fee Protection Rules 2013)
The Student Fee Protection Rules 2013 (PDF, 860KB) had the following amendments:
- 2015 amendment (PDF, 840KB)
- 2016 amendment (PDF, 616KB)
- 2017 amendment (PDF, 778KB)
- Version 4 including 2015, 2016 and 2017 amendments (PDF, 717KB)
- 2018 amendment (PDF, 1.2MB)
- Version 5 including 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 amendments (PDF, 719KB).
Here is the signed version of the 2013 Rules (PDF, 972KB).
These were replaced by the Student Fee Protection Rules 2018 (PDF, 719KB).
Student Fee Protection Rules 2021 (PDF, 361KB)
Student funds trust deposit exemption
Student Funds Trust Deposit Exemption Rules 2016 (PDF, 675KB)
Student Funds Trust Deposit Exemption Rules 2021 (PDF, 212KB)
Quality Assurance rules
The External Evaluation and Review (EER) Rules 2013 (PDF, 715KB) had the following amendments:
These were replaced by the Quality Assurance (including External Evaluation and Review (EER)) Rules 2016 (PDF, 805KB), which had the following amendments:
- 2017 amendment (PDF, 808KB)
- Version 2 including 2017 amendment (PDF, 713KB)
- 2018 amendment (PDF, 151KB)
- Version 3 including 2017 and 2018 amendments (PDF, 715KB)
- 2020 amendment (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Version 4 including 2017, 2018 and 2020 amendments (PDF, 5.1MB).
Quality Assurance (including External Evaluation and Review (EER)) Rules 2021 (PDF, 346KB)
Industry training organisation prescribed quality assurance requirements
Industry Training Organisation Prescribed Quality Assurance Requirements Rules 2015 (PDF, 648KB) (and 2018 amendments (PDF, 96KB))
Transitional ITO Prescribed Quality Assurance Requirements Rules 2021 (PDF, 246KB)
New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) rules
Qualification listing and operational rules
The NZQF Qualification Listing and Operational Rules 2012 (PDF, 923KB) had the following amendments:
These were replaced by the NZQF Qualification Listing and Operational Rules 2016 (PDF, 860KB), which had the following amendments:
- 2017 (PDF, 888KB)
- Version 2 including 2017 amendment (PDF, 771KB)
- 2018 amendment (PDF, 96KB)
- Version 3 including 2017 and 2018 amendments (PDF, 771KB)
- 2020 (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Version 4 including 2017, 2018 and 2020 amendments (PDF, 5.1MB).
NZQF Qualification Listing and Operational Rules 2021 (PDF, 452KB)
Programme approval and accreditation
Criteria for programme approval and accreditation (replaced by the NZQF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2013)
The Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2013 (PDF, 858KB) had the following amendments:
- 2013 amendment (PDF, 991KB)
- Version 2 including 2013 amendment (PDF, 869KB)
- 2015 amendment (PDF, 723KB)
- 2016 amendment (PDF, 714KB)
- 2017 amendment (PDF, 975KB)
- Version 4 (PDF, 320KB)
- Version 5 including 203, 2015, 2016 and 2017 amendments (PDF, 7.5MB).
These were replaced by the Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2018 (PDF, 893KB), with the following amendments:
- 2018 version (PDF, 1.9MB)
- 2019 Amendment to Rule # 18 (PDF, 290KB)
- Version 2 including 2019 amendment (PDF, 757KB)
- 2020 (PDF, 1.3MB)
- 2020 amendment (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Version 3 including 2019 and 2020 amendments (PDF, 893KB)
Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2021 (PDF, 450KB)
Incentives and sanctions
Statutory policies for incentives and sanctions (PDF, 112KB) (incorporated into various of the rules above).
Offshore programme delivery
Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2012 (PDF, 649KB), with the following amendments:
Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2021 (PDF, 233KB)
Industry training programme
Industry Training Programme Rules 2012 (PDF, 672KB), with the following amendments:
- 2017 amendment (PDF, 677KB)
- Version 2 including 2017 amendment (PDF, 630KB)
- 2018 amendment (PDF, 83KB)
- Version 3 including 2017 and 2018 amendments (PDF, 629KB)
- 2020 (PDF, 1.2MB)
- Version 4 including 2017, 2018 and 2020 amendments (PDF, 672KB).
Industry Training Programme Rules 2021 (PDF, 273KB)
Standards-related rules
Directory of Assessment Standards listing
Directory of Assessment Standards Listing and Operational Rules 2011 (PDF, 604KB), with the following amendments:
- 2014 amendment (PDF, 572KB)
- 2017 amendment (PDF, 680KB)
- Version 3 including 2014 and 2017 amendments (PDF, 628KB)
- 2018 amendment (PDF, 91KB)
- Version 4 including 2014, 2107 and 2020 amendments (PDF, 628KB)
Directory of Assessment Standards Listing and Operational Rules 2021 (PDF, 400KB)
Consent to assess
Consent to Assess Against Standards Rules 2011 (PDF, 1.3MB), with the following amendments:
- 2017 amendment (PDF, 741KB)
- 2018 amendment (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Version 3 with 2017 and 2018 amendments (PDF, 660KB)
- 2020 amendment (PDF, 1.2MB)
- Version 4 with 2017, 2018 and 2020 amendments (PDF, 4.3MB)
Consent to Assess Against Standards Rules 2021 (DOCX, 142KB)
Training scheme rules
Training Scheme Rules 2012 (PDF, 687KB), with the following amendments:
- 2017 amendment (PDF, 692KB)
- Version 2 including the 2017 amendment (PDF, 677KB)
- 2018 amendment (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Version 3 including the 2017 and 2018 amendment (PDF, 673KB)
- 2020 (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Version 4 including the 2017, 2018 and 2020 amendment (PDF, 687KB).
Training Scheme Rules 2021 (PDF, 1.9MB)
Here is the original signed version (PDF, 755KB).
2017 signed versions
2017 Rules Amendments - ministerial sign off (for 12 rule sets) (PDF, 942KB)