National Certificates and National Diplomas

There are more than 800 National Certificates and National Diplomas registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

There are National Certificates in areas as diverse as adventure tourism, animal care, aircraft servicing, aquaculture, boatbuilding, casino gaming, computing, customer service, early childhood care, electronics, engineering, design, forestry, fitness, hospitality, joinery, mental health, performing arts, pharmacy, printing, science, skiing, surveying, tourism, whakairo and woolhandling.

What’s special about National Certificates and National Diplomas?

The skills and knowledge that are required for National Certificates and National Diplomas are exactly what employers say they need. These qualifications are nationally recognised because national industry representatives design them.

How do you gain a National Certificate or National Diploma?

When a learner has completed a National Certificate or National Diploma, they (or their provider) must notify the Authority in writing so their qualification can be included on their Record of Achievement.

The flexibility of studying for a National Certificates or Diploma on the NQF means that you can study full-time, or part-time, study in different places or complete training in the workplace if the qualification relates to your work.

Courses leading to National Certificates and Diplomas are available at polytechnics, private training establishments, schools or wananga. You could get part of a qualification in one place and complete it in another. The cross credits are automatic.

You can complete some National Certificates entirely in the workplace, as you go about your normal work and receive training from your employer. You can get credits for some National Certificates in a short off-job course and complete the qualification at work.

One of the advantages of National Certificates and National Diplomas is that you can get credit for the skills you already have, without going to any courses or training sessions. This is called assessment of prior learning. You are assessed immediately for what you can already do.

How do you get a copy of your National Certificate or National Diploma?

The cost of a certificate or diploma is $15.00. This fee must be included with a completed application to NZQA - download the form here in MS Word or PDF .

How do you get started on a National Certificate or National Diploma?

Check with your local polytechnic, wananga, school or a private training establishment. Be sure that the qualification is called National Certificate or National Diploma. Only institutions have been registered by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority can advertise and run “National” qualifications.

If you are already in a job, your employer or the Industry Training Organisation (ITO) that covers your workplace will know all about National Certificates and National Diplomas. They will probably have workplace assessors available.

On this site, you can find full details about National Certificates and National Diplomas under the National Qualifications Framework. From there you can link to education provider and ITO sites.

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