G3.1 Basic rules for qualifications (26/07/1999)

1. A principal applicant must obtain a minimum of 10 points for qualifications to be considered in this category.
2. To be awarded points, a principal applicant must have qualifications accepted by the NZIS as being comparable with a New Zealand qualification, by reference to one or more of the following:
   1. information held by the NZIS about comparability,
   2. full occupational registration in New Zealand,
   3. an assessment of comparability by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
3. Points may be awarded for:
   1. one New Zealand qualification only (requiring a minimum of 3 years to complete), or
   2. two or more qualifications accepted as together being comparable with one New Zealand qualification (requiring a minimum of 3 years to complete), or
   3. one overseas qualification accepted as being comparable with a New Zealand qualification (requiring a minimum of 3 years to complete).
4. Points will not be awarded for qualifications assessed as being comparable with a partially completed New Zealand qualification.

G3.1.1 Comparability accepted by the NZIS

1. The NZIS may award points for overseas qualifications that it accepts as being comparable with New Zealand qualifications, without obtaining further external assessment of the qualification.
2. The NZIS must base its acceptance decision on one or more of the following:
   1. information held about comparability, including but not limited to the publications of the Australian National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR);
   2. full registration of the principal applicant by a New Zealand organisation authorised by law to give occupational registration, if registration involves assessing the comparability of the overseas qualification with a New Zealand qualification that would attract points;
   3. an NZQA assessment of comparability of the overseas qualification with a New Zealand qualification.
3. If the NZIS bases its acceptance decision on subparagraph (b)(i) above and that assessment does not result in the allocation of points claimed by the principal applicant immigration and visa officers must give the principal applicant the opportunity to provide further evidence to establish comparability; eg, a NZQA assessment.
4. NZIS may, at its discretion, require principal applicants to obtain an NZQA assessment for any qualification that they submit.
5. If an NZQA assessment is in conflict with other information held, the NZQA assessment that was obtained for the principal applicant's qualification will prevail.

G3.1.5 NZQA involvement in assessment of qualifications

1. If the NZQA is involved, it determines the comparability of overseas qualifications. The NZIS alone determines whether the principal applicant holds the qualifications and, if so, the points awarded for a particular qualification.
2. Principal applicants who wish, or are required, to provide an assessment certificate from the NZQA must apply to the NZQA on the appropriate NZQA form (available from NZIS branches, New Zealand diplomatic and consular offices, or the NZQA itself).
3. The principal applicant should send the NZQA the application for assessment and is responsible for ensuring that any NZQA assessment is submitted to the relevant NZIS branch or New Zealand diplomatic and consular office processing the application.

Effective 26/07/1999