All state institutions are registered by the New Zealand government and private institutions by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) a government agency. NZQA, or the delegated Polytechnic Programmes Committee or the Academic Audit committee of the NZ Vice Chancellors’ Committee accredits all courses. A course cannot be offered to international students unless it is accredited by one of these authorities. These authorities are charged with requiring a minimum standard for similar courses and qualifications, which enhances the ability of a student to transfer between similar institutions. However, Universities stress research-based teaching and Polytechnics generally have courses more aligned to the requirements of the professions where the graduates will be employed. 

The New Zealand Vice Chancellors’ Committee and the Association of Polytechnics in New Zealand have introduced Codes of Practice in International Education, which have to be followed by each institution. The Ministry of Education has introduced a similar code for secondary schools. These codes protect the interests of international students. These codes dictate that each institution must have and publish a refund policy. However, the terms of these vary between institutions. The Education Act also dictates that private institutions must keep all advance payments received from international students in a Trust account until the student actually starts study at the institution.