IQAs for teacher registration
If you completed a teaching qualification outside New Zealand, you need to apply for a Teaching International Qualification Assessment (Teaching IQA) to register as a teacher in New Zealand.
A Teaching IQA will ensure your qualification is recognised at the appropriate level on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).
A Teaching IQA compares your qualification against New Zealand Initial Teacher Education (ITE) standards and determines if your overseas teaching qualification meets the core knowledge requirements of a New Zealand ITE programme.
It also confirms which New Zealand education sector (Early Childhood Education/Primary/Secondary) your qualification best aligns with in New Zealand.
What is a teaching qualification?
A teaching qualification is an academic qualification awarded for a programme of study developed specifically to prepare a learner to become a teacher.
In New Zealand, teaching qualifications include theoretical studies and assessed teaching practice experience.
All New Zealand teaching qualifications are at level 7 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.
IQAs for multiple qualifications
If you have multiple qualifications, your main teaching qualification must be submitted as a Teaching IQA, and any additional qualifications must be submitted as separate Standard IQA applications.
Further details about submitting additional qualifications, including fees, are provided below.
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IQAs for teacher salary assessment
International Qualification Assessments (IQAs) are also used for teacher salary assessment purposes.
Recognition of your teaching and non-teaching qualifications may be used to support your teacher salary assessment.
If you have multiple qualifications, please submit them with your main teaching qualification for evaluation.
You can submit a maximum of two additional IQAs when you apply for a Teaching IQA for your main teaching qualification.
Please submit additional qualifications:
- If your teaching qualification required a different qualification for entry into the programme (e.g., if you hold a postgraduate teaching degree, submit your bachelor鈥檚 degree as an additional qualification).
- If you completed any other overseas qualification that you believe may impact your salary assessment (e.g., a higher-level qualification and/or a subject/specialist qualification.
Please include evidence of EdPay and/or your employer 鈥榮 request for an evaluation of your qualification, when you apply.
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Questions about IQAs for salary assessment
Working in the early childhood education (ECE) sector
If you intend to work in the early childhood education sector (0-6 years of age), you will need to apply for a Teaching IQA to confirm your overseas teaching qualification meets Primary or ECE sector requirements, even if you have registered as a teacher.
This is a Ministry of Education requirement for ECE centre licensing and funding.
IQAs for Limited Authority to Teach (LAT)
Please apply for a Standard IQA for the relevant specialist qualification if:
- you do not have a teaching qualification, and
- the Teaching Council requires your overseas specialist qualification to be compared to a level and/or qualification type on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.
Teaching in New Zealand
For more information on teaching in New Zealand see:
Studying to be a teacher in New Zealand
If you do not have a teaching qualification and are considering completing an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme in New Zealand, please ensure you enrol in an approved programme that is accepted by the Teaching Council for registration purposes.
Please contact the New Zealand provider directly for more information about the entry criteria.
If you need your overseas qualification evaluated for entry into a study programme, you need to apply for a Standard IQA.