Applications for programme approval and provider accreditation

Organisations can apply for programme approval and provider accreditation separately or at the same time, and can submit documentation online.

The following table sets out the programmes that require NZQA approval and/or accreditation.

For degree and related programmes at levels 7-10, see Degree approval, accreditation and monitoring.

For level 7 diplomas, see Approving a Level 7 diploma.

Submitting applications online

Read the Guidelines for applying for approval of programmes leading to New Zealand qualifications at Levels 1 - 6 on the NZQF and the accreditation of organisations to provide approved programmes.

Applications for programme approval and/or accreditation must include:

• a self-assessment report that answers relevant evaluation questions (not required for category 1 tertiary education organisations)
• a programme document.

Submit the completed template, along with associated documents, using the TEO application web page (see below) on the NZQA secure site.

Applicants must be a legal entity and recognised by NZQA as a programme owner. Those organisations automatically recognised by NZQA include: industry training organisations, institutes of technology and polytechnics, private training establishments, wānanga, government training establishments, universities and current programme or training scheme owners.

Any organisation may apply for programme approval from NZQA, but not accreditation to deliver the programme.

NZQA will assign recognised organisations a Ministry of Education (MoE)  number. This number can be used to complete a Request for User Setup and Access (PDF, 53KB) form to send to MoE, which will then assign a log-in.

Access the online application process

Accessing the online application process requires a TEO login for the online Education Sector Services. If your organisation does not have a login or sufficient access to complete the online application, contact the Ministry of Education Service Desk on 0800 422-599 or email service.desk@education.govt.nz. You can also find the forms to apply for a log-in at the Ministry's Education Sector Logon page.

Obtaining a login may take a few days, so check your access before you first try to apply online.

How to submit an application online:

1. Select the LOGIN button in the top right corner of this web page.
2. Select the appropriate organisation type and complete your login details.
3. Choose 'TEO Applications'.
4. Create an application.
5. Select ‘Programme Approval’, ‘Programme Accreditation’ or Programme Approval and Accreditation’ (as appropriate). This takes you to an application overview.
6. Click on contact details. The contact details page will be pre-populated with your organisation’s contact details. You should make any changes necessary to ensure the details are appropriate for the programme.
7. Follow the instructions and guided application template.
8. On the supporting documents page, attach and upload the following:
1. A PDF version of the completed programme document template
2. Your organisation’s internal approval
3. Any other supporting documentation (e.g. sub-contracting arrangements)
9. Submit.

An email acknowledging receipt of your application will be generated automatically and sent to you.

Apply for consent to assess

If your programme contains unit or achievement standards you must have consent to assess against these. Consent to assess requires a separate application to programme accreditation. Any consent to assess application must be approved before the approval of an accreditation application - the applications can be submitted at the same time. See Consent to assess.

Apply for programme approval and provider accreditation together

Educational organisations developing a new programme for their own delivery may apply for both approval and accreditation together.

Apply for programme approval only

Organisations who have developed a programme but will not deliver it, need only apply for programme approval.

Apply for accreditation only

Educational organisations who wish to deliver an approved programme owned by another educational organisation only need to apply for accreditation.

Apply for approval of changes to approved programmes and provider accreditations

Some changes to programmes need NZQA approval. See Changes to programme approvals for more information.

You may need to submit an online application.

Assessment of applications

Section 4 of the Guidelines sets out the evaluative methods NZQA will use in deciding whether or not to approve the programme and accredit an education organisation.

If there are any queries about an application NZQA will contact you.

Turnaround times for applications

NZQA turnaround times for processing programme approval and accreditation applications vary according to the provider category of a tertiary education organisation. See the Making new applications page for more information on turnaround times.

Costs

NZQA charges $190 per hour (GST exclusive) for time spent on an application.

Additional costs for an external specialist may be incurred if NZQA is required to contract industry or sector experts to review an application.

Further information

For further information or answers to questions, contact Client Services at NZQA.