Other issues
What are a school's responsibilities surrounding the enrolment of international students?
The enrolment of international students in a New Zealand state school is governed by the Education and Training Act 2020 and associated regulations.
Schools that provide tuition to international students for more than 2 weeks, or accept tuition fees for international students, must ensure that they are enrolled.
Code of practice
Schools that enrol international students must be signatories to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.
They must be familiar with this document and must adhere to its regulations and standards at all times.
Pastoral Care of International Students Code of Practice 2016 – Legislation website
Regulations to better support international students – Ministry of Education
Education Code of Practice 2021 – NZQA website
Entitlement to enrol
An international student cannot be enrolled in a state school if it means a domestic student who is entitled to enrol would not be able to enrol. The exception to this is when a place was specifically made available for international students.
Generally, an international student cannot enrol in a school without the consent of the board and without paying fees. But there are exceptions to this. The Minister may declare by notice that:
- international students of a specified kind or description may be entitled to enrol at state schools. There may be conditions imposed on this.
- particular international students are exempt from the payment of fees.
Definition of a domestic student – Ministry of Education website
Education and Training Act 2020, section 519-522 – Legislation website
Students must have appropriate visas.
Once enrolled, international students have the same rights as domestic students, subject to fee requirements.
Updated: August 2020
