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.
Code of practice for pastoral care
The code of practice for the pastoral care of domestic tertiary and international learners came into effect on 1 January 2022. All tertiary education providers and schools enrolling international students are 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).
Minor amendments made to the code
In May 2023 three minor amendments have been made to the code to correct typographical and grammatical errors and remove a duplicated subclause.
These are:
- in part 6 of the code, replacing the word ‘and’ at the end of clause 50(1)(a)(ii) with the word ‘or’ (correcting a typographical error)
- In part 7 of the code –
- deleting clause 73(1)(d) as it largely duplicates clause 73(1)(c), which is more clearly phrased
- correcting the grammar in clause 73(1)(e) from ‘designate at least 1 staff member is designated …’ to ‘ensure at least 1 staff member is designated …’.
These minor amendments were tabled in the House by the Minister of Education in May 2023.
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, 32 KB]
- Part 8: Code administrator [DOCX, 59 KB]
Read our Q&A about why we need a code, and what the code means for you.
Pastoral care for domestic and international learners: Code Q&A(external link)
How was the 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 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 – Kōrero Mātauranga(external link)
What is a code?
NZQA previously released a series of 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 videos – NZQA(external link)
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