Registration of a new provider

NZQA considers whether to grant a private training establishment (PTE) registration under sections 234-236 of the Education Act 1989.

NZQA needs to be certain that a PTE's governance and management functions will be undertaken with integrity, and that they support the provision of high quality education and a sound and stable learning environment.

When making decisions that relate to PTE registration, NZQA must also take into account the objectives of the provisions relating to the Government's Tertiary Education Strategy, which are set out in section 159AAA(1) of the Education Act.

Process for registration

Guidelines for Registration

The following guidelines outline what NZQA considers when determining registration, and what evidence the PTE must produce:

• Guidelines for the Registration of Private Training Establishments (PTEs) (PDF, 128KB)
• Policies and Criteria for Ongoing Registration of Private Training Establishments (PTEs) (PDF, 112KB)

Applying for PTE Registration

The application for registration must be made by the application organisation's governing body.

1. Compile an application for registration, that meets the Guidelines for the Registration of Private Training Establishments (PTEs) (PDF, 128KB)
2. Complete the application form for PTE Registration (DOC, 414KB)
3. Submit your application electronically, including all supporting documentation to qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz.

How much does an application for registration cost?

NZQA charges $150 per hour (GST exclusive) for analysis of an application. The hourly rate also covers travel and accommodation costs for NZQA staff that are processing the registration application.

Following registration, there are ongoing costs such as the annual fee and charges for quality assurance services.

Timeframe

NZQA sets a timeframe of six months to complete the registration process. The application will be reviewed on receipt. If key documents are missing or incomplete, the applicant will be advised and will be required to resubmit the information within an agreed timeframe.

If the information is not received within a reasonable timeframe, NZQA can close the application and all documents will be returned.

What happens next?

NZQA makes its decision on whether to grant an application for registration on a case-by-case basis. This involves a thorough assessment of the particular PTE to determine whether it has satisfied, or will satisfy, the statutory requirements.

NZQA will ensure there are no unnecessary barriers to registration, and will not impose unnecessary burdens of time and cost for those PTEs who wish to become registered.

Further information

If you have any questions or require further information, contact the Service Support team.