Private tertiary education providers, fees and complaints
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) checks that education providers meet quality standards. This means that for private training establishments (PTEs) to maintain their NZQA registration, approval and accreditation, they must successfully pass a quality audit. In addition, all PTEs are audited on a regular basis - this includes site visits, student interviews and document analysis. This page provides you with information on
- What to look for in a PTE
- Protection for students
- Fees
- Complaints about providers
What to look for in a private tertiary education provider
New Zealand's immigration laws prevent international students from studying at a private training establishment that has not been NZQA registered or from taking a course that is not NZQA approved.
Before enrolling with a PTE, students should ask themselves:
| 1 | Is the PTE registered with NZQA? | Registration indicates that a PTE is capable of providing high quality education and training in a sound and stable learning environment. Registration is a check on the organisation that owns and runs courses - it is not a check on the courses themselves. |
| 2 | Is the course approved by NZQA? | An approved course is a well-designed programme that is based on clear and consistent aims, content, learning outcomes and assessment practices. Some PTEs offer a wide range of courses, some of which will be approved by NZQA, and some of which might not be approved. |
| 3 | Is the PTE accredited by NZQA to run the course? | Accreditation signals that a registered provider is capable of running an approved course or awarding Framework credits. A provider must be accredited to be able to award credit for unit standards on the Framework. These courses do not need course approval. |
| 4 | Is the PTE a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students? | All education providers that enrol international students must be signatories to The Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. This sets out standards for pastoral care, accommodation and provision of information by education providers and their agents to international students. |
The answers to these questions can be found by searching for an education provider under Find providers and reading the "Provider details", such as the example below.
If you have any doubt about the status of a provider or claims it is making about its course, contact Quality Assurance Division
Protection for students
Fees
NZQA requires that PTEs have adequate protection of student fees (or an exemption from the requirement) in the event of the provider's:
- insolvency
- de-registration by NZQA
- partial or complete loss of accreditation.
Fee protection means that if a course stops before its scheduled completion, a student may get the unused portion of fees reimbursed or be offered re-enrolment in a suitable alternative course to complete the qualification.
NZQA must approve the fee protection arrangement (or exemption) put in place by the PTE and be made aware of any changes to the arrangement or circumstances under which the exemption was granted.
Complaints about providers
When students are on a course, they need to remember that they are consumers. They should be able to discuss the course with staff and complain formally if they feel the need.
If a student has a complaint regarding a NZQA registered and/or approved and accredited provider, they should raise the matter with the management of the provider. If the matter is not resolved satisfactorily, they may make an official complaint to NZQA.