Field: Community and Social Services

Change report for the review of Hearing Therapy New Zealand Qualification

Reviewed qualification

Ref	Version	Qualification Title (Level)	Credits
2859	2	New Zealand Diploma in Hearing Therapy (Level 6)	120

Review information

Qualification Developer	Toitū te Waiora Community, Health, Education, and Social Services Workforce Development Council
Reason for the review	Early review
Review date	December 2023
Outcome date	February 2024
Next review date	February 2028

Summary of review and consultation process

The review took place in September-December 2023, earlier than the scheduled November 2024 review date. This is to ensure that this work could be completed prior to Toitū te Waiora’s 2024 developments. This also allows for the timely review of the associated Hearing Therapy unit standards in 2024.

Initial public consultation included a survey, which was made available on the Toitū te Waiora (TTW) website and circulated to key contacts and networks in the Hearing Therapy sector. 

Following stakeholder consultation, the proposed review changes were made public on the TTW website for a three-week feedback period – before further refinement with Your Way l Kia Roha.

Feedback from the hearing therapy sector indicates that the qualification is fit for purpose and meets the needs of trainee hearing therapists, and employers.  The sector confirms that no substantial changes to the qualifications are required.

Main changes resulting from the review process

· Wording of the Graduate Profile Outcomes (GPOs) was amended, to change from the term ‘hearing impairment’ to ‘hearing loss’.

· The credit value for GPOs 1 and 4 were changed to better reflect the indicative value; GPO 1 from 15 credits to 20, and GPO 4 from 20 credits to 15.  No change was made to the overall qualification credits.

· The number of work placement hours for programmes leading to this qualification was increased from 200 to 400 hours.  This increase was to better reflect the current delivery of the programme and the expected level of competency required from graduates.

Review outcome

Ref:	Version	Reviewed qualification	Outcome category	New qualification details/version (if applicable)
2859	2	New Zealand Diploma in Hearing Therapy (Level 6)	B-New version of qualification	2859-3

Qualification review outcome categories

Outcome	Result	Category
Minor changes to the qualification	Qualification version number and ID (Ref) remain the same New review date is required	A
Moderate changes to the qualification	New qualification version number ID (Ref) remains the same New review date is required	B
Significant changes to the qualification	New replacement qualification with a new ID (Ref) The existing qualification will expire	C
The qualification is no longer required by industry	The qualification will expire with no replacement	D

Transition information

Ref:	Version	Qualification Title (Level)	Last date of entry*	Last date of assessment
2859	2	New Zealand Diploma in Hearing Therapy (Level 6)	N/A	31/12/2026

*only required for outcome category C or D

Any additional information

Any person who considers they have been disadvantaged by these transition arrangements may appeal to Toitū te Waiora at the address below.

Appeals will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Toitū te Waiora Community, Health, Education and Social Services Workforce Development Council

PO Box 445

Wellington 6140

Email:  qualifications@toitutewaiora.nz

Web:    www.toitutewaiora.nz