Overseas travel exemption process

We may grant an exemption to the restriction on including overseas travel in fees or course costs if certain criteria are met. Such exemptions are expected to be rare and must meet the requirements of Condition SAC129[1].

Applying for an exemption

TEOs must comply with Condition SAC131[2] and use the overseas travel exemption application form when applying for an exemption.

TEOs must also ensure their overseas travel exemption application contains all evidence, facts, documentation, and supporting arguments needed to show how it meets the exemption criteria. The onus to provide the required evidence and documentation rests with the TEO.

Letter of endorsement

A letter from the appropriate body as detailed in Condition SAC130[3], endorsing the essential nature of the travel component of the course, must also accompany the application for an exemption.

• [1]

  Condition SAC129: Overseas travel - applying for exemption

  To gain an exemption, an application must meet all the following criteria:

  • The overseas travel is integrally linked to stated academic course outcomes as described, for example in course material to learners and in academic course prescriptions and programmes
  • The course is a compulsory requirement of a qualification and/or major
  • The academic outcomes for the course cannot be achieved in any other manner in New Zealand
  • The course or qualification, or qualification major, is well aligned to the government’s tertiary education priorities as expressed in the Tertiary Education Strategy and/or the Plan Guidance issued by the Tertiary Education Commission.
• [2]

  Condition SAC131: Overseas travel - applying for exemptions timeframe

  Tertiary education organisations (TEOs) seeking an exemption to the restriction on overseas travel must apply to the Tertiary Education Commission at least two months before starting to advertise or publish any information about the course or accepting enrolments.

  Once granted, an exemption remains in place and will normally only require review where there is a change to one of the following:

  • The qualification structure
  • Government policy
  • Overseas travel policy.
• [3]

  Condition SAC130: Overseas travel exemption - endorsement required

  A letter from the appropriate body, endorsing the essential nature of the travel component of the course, must accompany an application for an exemption from the restriction on overseas travel .

  • For private training establishments, the body is the New Zealand Qualifications Authority
  • For tertiary education institutions, it is their academic board.