Transition from training scheme delivery to micro-credential delivery

This page is for tertiary education organisations (TEOs) that deliver training schemes. It sets out what you need to know and do as you transition to micro-credentials following the New Zealand Qualifications Authority’s (NZQA’s) review of training schemes.

What’s changing

In 2025, NZQA initiated a review of training schemes to ensure they meet current rules. If the TEO’s training scheme was approved under previous rules and is still being delivered, the TEO must apply for a micro-credential change to continue delivery.

If NZQA approves the micro-credential change, it will be listed on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) and on the Register of NZQA Listed and Approved Micro-credentials.

If the training scheme is not needed, it will be retired.

What this means for TEO funding

If your training scheme was funded and you want to continue funded delivery as a micro-credential, you must contact us after NZQA has approved the micro-credential.

You will generally not need to submit a new application or provide extra information if:

the training scheme is currently Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)-funded, and
there are no material changes to its level, content or equivalent full-time students (EFTS).

We won’t assess any micro-credential before NZQA completes its review.

What we’ll assess

We’ll undertake a targeted assessment to confirm that we can continue to fund your micro-credential.

Our assessment will confirm that your micro-credential meets statutory requirements relating to health and safety and regulatory compliance (HSRC) in the relevant funds. This is set out in criterion 3 of TEO-developed micro-credentials – funding and fees.

We will not fund a micro-credential if:

we consider on reasonable grounds that a majority of the programme relates to health and safety, or regulatory compliance learning, and
the learning would displace employers’ responsibility to provide training necessary to mitigate their health and safety risks, or meet their regulatory compliance obligations.

Our assessment here focuses on content that displaces an employer’s legal responsibility, eg, requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 that keep workers and those impacted by business operations safe and well.

Our assessment will also look at professional development content. We will not fund micro-credentials aimed at the ongoing professional development of people already employed (and holding registration where applicable) in vocationally specific occupations, and which require a degree to enter the profession, or where government already funds professional development.

What you need to do

Scenario	Actions and steps
Micro-credential approved by NZQA Related training scheme currently funded by TEC, no changes to content, level or EFTS	Upload the new micro-credential to DXP Ngā Kete as a Qualification Change Request. Email customerservice@tec.govt.nz with: your NZQA outcome letter the programme summary document the title and reporting code of the training scheme it replaces in your delivery. These usually start with Subject: [EDUMIS] … Our Customer Contact Team will advise if further information or actions are needed eg, updating the mix of provision (MoP).
Micro-credential approved by NZQA Related training scheme currently funded by TEC, with material changes to content, level or EFTS	Email customerservice@tec.govt.nz with: your NZQA outcome letter the programme summary document the title and reporting code of the training scheme it replaces in your delivery. These usually start with Subject: [EDUMIS] … Please review the threshold criteria to determine whether a Significant Plan Amendment (SPA) is required. See Significant Plan Amendments and Replacement Plans.
Micro-credential declined by NZQA Training scheme currently funded by TEC	You may be able to retain funding for a limited time to support those learners who are already enrolled. Contact customerservice@tec.govt.nz to discuss: teach-out options, and any implications for your next Investment Plan.
Micro-credential approved by NZQA Training scheme currently not funded by TEC, and you want to apply for funding	Submit a full application for TEC funding approval. For guidance on how to apply see TEO-developed micro-credentials – funding and fees. If you are not currently approved to receive funding from TEC via an Investment Plan, you will need to apply for funding as a new provider. See New applications for on-Plan funding.