Private training establishments (PTEs)
Ngā whare whakangungu motuhake (PTE)
PTEs deliver programmes and qualifications from foundation level to postgraduate level, depending on their educational subject areas.
PTEs deliver programmes and qualifications from foundation level to postgraduate level, depending on their educational subject areas.
PTEs are diverse in terms of mission, scale of operation, location, culture and educational subject area.
They can be flexible in responding to government policy settings and the wide-ranging needs of learners, industry, employers, local communities, Māori and Pacific people and other stakeholders.
PTEs have a range of ownership models. They can be commercial entities, incorporated societies or trusts, or industry owned organisations.
PTEs are tertiary training organisations that are registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). PTE registration is a requirement for most funding through the TEC.
Vocational education is delivered in different modes. These modes are described in detail in our funding information – see Modes of delivery – DQ3-7.
Vocational education is split between provider-based modes of delivery (including extramural) and work-based modes of delivery (including assessment and verification). Currently only a small number of PTEs are TEC-funded for work-based learning delivery.
For more information on work-based learning, see Work-based learning changes from 2026.
To find a PTE, you can search the NZQA database. Not all registered PTEs are TEC funded.