Appendix 17 - List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (from 23 June 2025)

Note:
Appendix 17 applies to people who made a Skilled Migrant Residence application under SR instructions or a work visa application under WI instructions where the specified country is listed in Appendix 17.
The List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment contained in Appendix 3 applies to people who made a Skilled Migrant Category residence application under SM instructions or a work visa application under WI instructions where the specified country is not listed in Appendix 17.

The qualifications in this list do not require assessment by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Qualifications will qualify for points on the basis of their assessed position on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) (see SR3.25.5 of the Skilled Migrant Category) and are subject to any additional requirements being met as specified in the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment.

The List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment only provides the level and qualification type that an overseas qualification compares to on the NZQCF. A qualification being named on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment does not mean that it is comparable to a similarly named New Zealand qualification. It only advises the NZQCF level and qualification type that the overseas qualification can be compared to.

A qualification is exempt from assessment and qualifies for the indicated points if:

1. the qualification and the awarding institution is listed; and
2. the qualification was awarded from or within the year listed in the ‘effective from’ column of the list; and
3. the qualification was not completed outside of the list country, including any overseas campuses of the listed awarding institution; and
4. the qualification meets other requirements and is not excluded by the notes listed in the notes section.

If the standard full-time duration cannot be determined, the qualification must be evaluated by NZQA.

The List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment is for immigration purposes only. The inclusion of a qualification on this list does not have bearing on the status of the qualification for professional registration, further study, salary or employment purposes.

Overseas teachers using a qualification to apply for a visa to work in a school or early childhood setting must apply to NZQA for a Teaching International Qualifications Assessment.

Effective 23/06/2025