Consideration of an application

An application for registration (section 235 of the Education Act) cannot be considered unless:

the PTE or its governing body is a body corporate. The body corporate may be a limited liability company, an incorporated society or a charitable trust;
the application is accompanied by a written statement approved by the governing body that sets out the general goals and purposes of the establishment, which must relate primarily to education and/or training.

Evidence requirements

If the body corporate has been incorporated for more than one year, the most recent Annual Return to the Registrar of Companies or the Registrar of Societies must accompany the application. If the body is a limited liability company, details must be supplied of any changes to the company's capital structure, shareholding, directors or secretary that may have taken place since the return was filed.
Where the PTE is not the body corporate, the applicant must provide an organisational chart showing the relationship between the PTE and its governing body. The chart should also identify where the PTE's trading name is different from its legal name, or the name of the governing body. The PTE's name should not be misleading and should not contain any of the descriptors protected under the Education Act 1989.
The statement of goals and purposes should identify:
1. the scope of the education activities the PTE intends to provide;
2. the educational needs of its target learners and other interested parties, including potential employers and communities;
3. the educational outcomes it seeks to achieve for its learners and other interested parties;
4. performance indicators to measure the achievement of goals and purposes;
5. how any non-educational goals and purposes are linked to the provision of education and training.

If the initial requirements for considering the application have been satisfied, NZQA will then determine whether the applicant has satisfied the requirements for registration outlined in section 236.

Timeline for consideration

NZQA sets a timeline of six months to complete the registration process. The application will be reviewed on receipt. If key documents are missing or incomplete the applicant will be advised and invited to resubmit the information within an agreed timeframe.

Timeframes for submitting additional information will be agreed with the applicant. If the information is not received within a reasonable timeframe, NZQA can close the application and all documents will be returned.

Page updated: 28 October 2009