Documentation required
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Original documents
NZQA requires original documents for all qualifications gained in all countries, and for all your work experience.
The following original documents are required:
- certificate of completion of final year at a general or junior secondary school
- degrees and diplomas, or other award certificates from tertiary institutions, trade schools, technical colleges or specialised senior secondary schools
- transcripts of results, mark sheets or academic records for degrees, diplomas, or other award certificates
- evidence of vocational or trades training (apprenticeship contracts, completion certificates and trade tests, if applicable)
- employment records or employer references describing your work experience
- current practising certificate, registration or licence as appropriate.
NZQA will be responsible for the safekeeping of original documents received. In the unlikely event that an original document is misplaced or damaged by NZQA, it will use best endeavours to assist you in obtaining a replacement copy at its cost.
However, any liability for the loss of or damage to original documents is limited to such replacement costs. NZQA is not liable for any contingent liability or consequential loss which results from the loss of or damage to the documents.
NZQA does not accept liability for documents while in the care of a recognised carrier or a courier nominated by you, nor does it accept liability for original documents lost due to applicants supplying incorrect return addresses or not advising of changes of address.
Any original documents which are returned to NZQA from your last notified correspondence address will be destroyed after six years from the date the assessment report is issued. This is in accordance with NZQA’s Records Retention and Disposal Policy. Please ensure that you advise NZQA in writing of any change to your address, so that we can ensure that your original documents are sent to your correct address.
If the application you submit is not complete NZQA will notify you. If after six months you have not submitted the outstanding requirements, NZQA will close your application. No refund will be given if you fail to submit a complete application. NZQA reserves the right to return original documents to the last notified correspondence address (or retain them until you provide the courier fee or prepaid courier bag) and the right to request a full application fee if a new application is submitted at a later date.
Certified copies
Certified copies of the following documents are acceptable:
- identification document (e.g. passport, driver's licence)
- a complete official academic syllabus / curriculum
- deed poll or marriage certificates showing change of name, if applicable.
Certified copies are photocopies that have been stamped and endorsed by a person who certifies that the copy is a true copy of the original. The person who certifies the copy must be an official of the issuing authority or a person authorised by law in your home country or in New Zealand to certify documents. In New Zealand this is a Justice of the Peace, a lawyer, or a court official. A signature is required on each page with the name and title of the official shown legibly below their signature.
Documents translated into English
If any of your documents are not in English, a full and accurate official translation into English is required.
All translations must comply with the following requirements:
- the translation must be prepared by a recognised official translation service
- the translation must be on official letterhead and bear the stamp or signature of the translator or translation service
- the translator must certify that the translation is a correct translation
- the translation must not be prepared by you, or any member of your family or any person interested in the outcome of your application
- translation costs are your responsibility.
If you are in New Zealand, you must have your translation prepared by a translator or translation service on the List of Recognised Translation Services.
Only the original language document will be treated as original. All translations of original language documents, including notarised documents, must be certified by an official of the issuing translation service.
Page updated: 29 September 2009