Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021
This guidance informs tertiary education providers and schools enrolling international students of their responsibilities as specified in the code to support the wellbeing of tertiary and international learners.
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Section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020 provides for the Minister to issue codes of practice for the pastoral care of tertiary and international learners. All tertiary education providers and schools enrolling international learners must comply with the code.
New Code
The new code of practice for the pastoral care of domestic tertiary and international learners comes into effect on 1 January 2022. All tertiary education providers and schools enrolling international students will be expected to comply with the code from 1 January 2022.
The code sets out the expectations that tertiary education organisations and schools enrolling international students must meet for learners’ safety and wellbeing. It brings together the current codes for domestic and international learners with separate parts of the code for:
- student accommodation
- tertiary providers enrolling international learners
- schools enrolling international students (this part restates existing requirements for schools).
Download the new code below.
Download the code in parts.
- Part 1: Introduction [DOCX, 16 KB]
- Part 2: How to read this code [DOCX, 19 KB]
- Part 3: Organisational structures to support a whole-of-provider approach to learner wellbeing and safety [DOCX, 22 KB]
- Part 4: Wellbeing and safety practices for all tertiary providers [DOCX, 20 KB]
- Part 5: Additional wellbeing and safety practices in tertiary student accommodation [DOCX, 24 KB]
- Part 6: Additional wellbeing and safety practices for tertiary providers (signatories) enrolling international learners [DOCX, 28 KB]
- Part 7: Wellbeing and safety practices for schools (signatories) enrolling international learners [DOCX, 31 KB]
- Part 8: Code administrator [DOCX, 59 KB]
Read our Q&A about why we need a code, and what the new code means for you.
Pastoral Care for domestic and international learners: Code Q&A(external link)
How was the new code developed?
From 7 April to 21 May 2021, on behalf of the Minister of Education, the Ministry of Education consulted on drafts of the new code, as well as the dispute resolution scheme for domestic tertiary learners and legislative proposals.
Over 100 groups and individuals provided written submissions on the code, dispute resolution scheme and legislative proposals, and a further 60 face to face and online engagements were held across the country.
You can read more about our consultation process here.
Te oranga me te haumaru Ākonga | learner wellbeing and safety(external link)
The dispute resolution scheme for domestic tertiary learners will also come into effect from 1 January 2022. Further updates on the dispute resolution scheme and legislative proposals will follow at a later date.
What is a code?
NZQA previously released a series of nine videos featuring student leaders that explain what support people can expect for their wellbeing and safety while in tertiary study.
Each video reflects on a key part of the ākonga experience, including accommodation, mental health and support for students with disabilities, along with information specifically for international students around agents, enrolment and contracts.
You can view these videos on the NZQA website by clicking the link below.
Know the Code – NZQA(external link)
Interim Code for domestic learners
The interim code of practice for the pastoral care of domestic tertiary learners was issued by the Minister of Education on 12 December 2019 in accordance with the Education (Pastoral Care) Amendment Act 2019. The interim code came into effect on 1 January 2020. All tertiary education providers are expected to comply with the interim code until the new code for domestic and international learners comes into effect on 1 January 2022.
Education (Pastoral Care) Amendment Act 2019(external link)
Interim Code of Practice with minor and technical amendments as at 29 March 2021 [PDF, 202 KB]
More information about compliance with the interim code on the NZQA website(external link)
International Code
The Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 continues to apply to signatories and schools enrolling international learners until the new code for domestic and international learners comes into effect on 1 January 2022.
Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016(external link)
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