Bringing Schools & Teachers Together

DO I NEED TO BE NZ REGISTERED TO TEACH IN NZ?

All teachers in New Zealand primary and secondary schools are required by law to be registered with the NZ Teachers Council.

The purpose of registration is to ensure, amongst other things, that the applicant is suitably qualified to teach in New Zealand

Provisional registration is a requirement for overseas teachers to obtain a work permit or work visa.

Full registration (possible after two years teaching) is required for permanent residency.

A new graduate will be given provisional registration and must complete two years uninterrupted and satisfactory employment to achieve registration.

Registration information is available from the Teachers Council. The cost of registration is $NZ120.

HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING MY OVERSEAS QUALIFICATION VERIFIED SO THAT I CAN OBTAIN REGISTRTION?

Overseas qualifications must be verified and checked for comparability with qualifications here for registration and salary purposes.

Verification is carried out by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and usually takes up to six weeks. Fast tracking is available for an extra fee. If you are successful in your application for a position in NZ you should send a copy of the NZQA assessment report to your principal before you take up your position. This will be needed to assess your salary level.

New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) assesses qualifications from Australia, South Pacific countries, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa for registration purposes.

You must provide a certified copy of the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) assessment report to the Teachers Council.

If your qualifications have been previously assessed by the New Zealand Department of Education of the Ministry of Education, this assessment may be provided in place of the NZQA assessment.

WHAT DO I DO IF MY QUALIFICATIONS ARE NOT COMPARABLE?

Applicants who do not receive comparability with New Zealand qualifications for teaching in the early childhood / primary / or secondary sectors by NZQA may wish to be considered for registration under specific provisions. (Refer Handbook – The Registration of Teachers for provisions).

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT MY VISA? IMMIGRATION PROCESS?

All of the qualifications assessment and teacher registration requirements must be met whether you apply directly to a school or work through a recruitment agent, but agents may assist you with lodging some applications.

WHAT INFORMATION WILL I NEED TO SUPPLY?

Overseas teachers should ensure they have two separate sets of certified qualification documents for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, and the Teachers Council.

Applicants must supply certified copies of certificates and statements of services covering all teaching experience. If these documents are in a language other than English, you must supply translations. These must be word for word translation prepared and certified as correct by an official service.

WHAT IF I AM REGISTERED IN AUSTRALIA?

Teachers who are currently registered with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia, Tasmania, Queensalnd, Victoria should contact the Teachers Council for details of the mutual recognition procedures that are in place.

WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A JOB OFFER?

If you have already been offered a teaching position in New Zealand when you apply to NZQA to have your qualifications verified you should attach a letter from the appointing school to your application giving the details of the job offer.

WHAT ARE NZQA DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS?

Original documents

NZQA requires original documents for all qualifications gained in all countries, and for all your work experience.

The following original documents are required:

• certificate of completion of final year at a general or junior secondary school
• degrees and diplomas, or other award certificates from tertiary institutions, trade schools, technical colleges or specialised senior secondary schools
• transcripts of results or mark sheets for degrees, diplomas, or other award certificates
• evidence of vocational or trades training (contracts with your training employer, completion certificates and trade tests, if applicable)
• employment records or employer references describing your work experience
• current practicing certificate, registration or license as appropriate.

Certified copies

Certified copies of the following documents are acceptable:

• a complete official academic syllabus / curriculum
• deed poll or marriage certificates showing change of name, if applicable.

Certified copies are photocopies that have been stamped and endorsed by a person who certifies that the copy is a true copy of the original. The person who certifies the copy must be an official of the issuing authority or a person authorised by law in your home country or in New Zealand to certify documents. In New Zealand this is a Justice of the Peace, a lawyer, or a court official. A signature is required on each page with the name and title of the official shown legibly below their signature.

Official translations and notarised documents will be deemed to be certified copies for the purposes of this application. NZQA does not return certified copies.

Documents translated into English

If any of your documents are not in English, a full and accurate official translation into English is required. All translations must comply with the following requirements:

• The translation must be prepared by a recognised private or official translation service.
• The translation must be on official letterhead and bear the stamp or signature of the translator or translation service.
• The translator must certify that the translation is a correct translation.
• The translation must not be prepared by you, or any member of your family or any person interested in the outcome of your application.
• You must pay for the translation.

If you are in New Zealand, you must have your translation prepared by a translator or translation service on the List of Recognised Translation Services.

NZQA requires a full set of photocopies of all original documents submitted.