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Find out if you need an IQA
Find out when you may need NZQA to evaluate your international qualification for use in New Zealand, and which types of qualifications we can assess.
How it works
An International Qualification Assessment (IQA) is an evaluation of tertiary or vocational qualifications gained outside of New Zealand. It compares your overseas qualification to:
- a level on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), and
- a New Zealand qualification type if a direct comparison exists.
New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF)
When you may you need an IQA
You may need to apply for an IQA:
- to immigrate to New Zealand
- to register as a teacher
- for a teacher salary assessment
- to register with a professional registration body
- for employment
- to enrol in further study.
Check whether you need an IQA with the New Zealand organisation you are applying to.
Occupational registration
Occupational registration is required for some professions. You can find out more information on the Immigration New Zealand website including if you need your overseas qualification to be evaluated by NZQA.
Occupational registration – Immigration NZ
Qualifications we can evaluate
Before you submit an application, check the list of qualifications we can evaluate:
- a tertiary or vocational upper-secondary qualification
- completed programmes of study
- qualifications awarded by a provider that is recognised nationally and accredited by the relevant government authority in the country of award and country of delivery
- a minimum of 400 notional learning hours (approximately 10 weeks of full time academic study).
We may require additional documents to support the recognition of your qualification.
Qualifications we cannot evaluate
We are not able to evaluate:
- secondary school qualifications
- incomplete programmes of study
- certificates of attendance
- certificates of proficiency (if they do not include formal learning programmes)
- letters or certificates of work experience – do not submit evidence of work experience with your IQA application
- apprenticeships without formal training programmes
- professional or specialist training certificates (for example, CISCO or Microsoft expert awards)
- membership certificates issued by chartered bodies, unless they are formally recognised by the relevant government or government-mandated education bodies in the country of award, at the time of award.
If you submit one of these, we will not be able to evaluate it.
If you have an evaluation from another country
We cannot accept recognition evaluations from other countries because our evaluation compares an overseas qualification to a level or a qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.
Before applying for an IQA you could ask the person or organisation you are applying to whether they will accept a qualification evaluation from another country.
Apply for an IQA
You can submit an IQA application once you have checked that:
- you need an IQA
- your qualification can be evaluated
- you have the required documents.
Apply for an International Qualification Assessment
Contact us
For more information or to give us feedback, contact us through our online form or phone 0800 697 296.