Listing qualifications on the NZQF

Policy requirements

Qualification developers must seek approval to develop and list qualifications on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) from the relevant quality assurance body. All qualifications must be consistent with the general listing requirements outlined in Section 3 of the policy document, Requirements for listing and maintaining qualifications on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (PDF, 303KB). New qualifications at levels 1-6 must also meet the requirements outlined in Section 4 of the policy document in order to be listed on the NZQF.

Guidelines for listing qualifications on the NZQF

NZQA has produced detailed Guidelines for approval of qualifications at levels 1-6 for listing on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (PDF, 537KB). The guidelines interpret the policy document and provide information and guidance about how to meet the requirements. It also describes how a decision will be reached to approve an application for a qualification to be listed at levels 1-6 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).

The practical guidelines, designed to assist both qualification developers and quality assurance body analysts, aim to make the qualification approval process clear and transparent.

In addition to the guidelines, NZQA has commissioned a discussion paper, Ensuring consistency of qualification outomes (PDF, 689KB), to assist qualification developers in considering their approach to managing consistency.

Two-stage process

The development of qualifications and their subsequent listing on the NZQF involve two distinct application and approval stages:

• Approval to develop a qualification
• Approval to list a qualification.

The first stage involves applying to NZQA for approval to proceed to develop a qualification. This stage is intended to ensure that all new qualifications are relevant and do not duplicate existing NZQF qualifications.

The second stage occurs once the qualification has been developed and involves applying to NZQA for approval of that qualification. Once approved, the qualification is listed on the NZQF.