Satisfactorily trained to teach

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These are the pathways to fulfil the satisfactorily trained to teach requirement:

General

Discretionary pathway (if your report says you do not meet the core knowledge requirements)

Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (Australian-trained teachers)

If none of the pathways apply to you, you can gain a teaching qualification at university or polytechnic in New Zealand. Check out a list of approved qualifications that will enable you to gain registration. 

General

From 1 January 2025, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) pre-approved overseas teaching list will be removed. Individuals with overseas teaching qualifications will need to apply for a teaching International Qualifications Assessment (IQA).

It’s important to note you may need to obtain an IQA for other purposes, for example, setting teacher salary. 

If you've not completed recent teaching or the Teaching Council is not assured your skills and knowledge are up to date, then you'll be required to undertake a refresh programme. 

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Discretionary pathway

Your NZQA report may state that your qualifications do not meet the core knowledge requirements of a New Zealand Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme.

The discretionary pathway considers teaching qualifications, teaching experience, appraisal material and professional development as a package to determine whether you can be granted registration as an exception to policy.

• UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) 
• Teacher Licensure from American States, or 
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) certificates.  

for being satisfactorily trained to teach.    

Important! If you've received an employment offer to teach at a New Zealand school, kura or early childhood centre, please let us know. Our priority is to have teachers able to teach when they have a definite job offer. 

Please keep in mind that it can take between six to 12 weeks to process an application depending on its complexity and can take more than 12 weeks depending on panel meeting availability.

Please provide certified copies of these documents for our consideration: 

1. The IQA report with your teaching assessment outcome at level 7 or above.

2. Certified official transcript copies of each qualification - including a Diploma Supplement or course outline/syllabus.

3. Information regarding the practicum component of your teaching qualification - confirmation letter from the university stating the practicum length, age range and setting.

4. Information about professional teacher registration status overseas

5. Teaching service - Please provide evidence of all teaching service and explain any significant gaps. Include details of any senior teaching positions held and the types of institutions where you have taught. Official statements of service from employers are preferred.

6. Language proficiency - Evidence that you meet the Teaching Council's language competency requirements. 

7. Certified copies of appraisal, observation and teaching assessment - Evidence of appraisal documentation, lesson observations, performance management documentation/reviews relating to recent teaching experience (usually within the last five years, but older documentation will be considered).

8. Induction/Mentored teaching - Evidence of a supervised programme of induction or mentored teaching completed as a newly qualified or beginning teacher. Preferably a detailed statement from the professional leader of the school outlining the structure and content of your induction programme. Include details regarding the regularity of meetings with your mentor teacher, frequency of their observations of your teaching, and identify what professional standards you were expected to meet by the end of the induction programme.

9. Support from professional leaders - Certified copies or original testimonials or references (on official letterhead, signed and dated) that relate to the Standards for the Teaching Profession and Fit to be a Teacher requirement. These testimonials should be written by a Principal or Centre Manager. Testimonials from other senior teachers can be considered. They should be within the last 10 years.

10. Professional development - Evidence of continuing education or professional development. Please provide a list of workshops, seminars, in-house training, courses and other development activities you’ve undertaken since gaining your initial teacher education qualification. Copies of each of your certificates are not required. 

11. A current copy of your curriculum vitae – This ensures we have full information about your previous teaching experience and any other employment information that may be helpful in processing your application.

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Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (Australia and New Zealand)

If you're registered and hold Provisional or Full registration in one of the following registration bodies, you may eligible for a practising certificate under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTMRA) 1997: 

• Queensland College of Teachers 
• Teachers Registration Board of South Australia 
• Victoria Institute of Teaching 
• Teachers Registration Board of Tasmania 
• Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia 
• Teachers Registration Board of the Northern Territory 
• ACT Teacher Quality Institute. 
• NSW Education Standards Authority 

You'll need to provide evidence of your current registration in the relevant category for the Teaching Council to verify. 

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