Application process

Before you can apply

You need to:

• check your organisation is eligible for accreditation, go through the eligibility check process, and have your eligibility confirmed. You will need your NZBN for this.

Applying

Once your organisation's eligibility for accreditation has been confirmed, you will be sent a welcome email for our online system. This email will contain a unique link to set up your account. You can work on your application on a computer with an internet connection.

Step 1: Setting up your account

You will need to set up your account the first time you use our system. Click on the unique link in your welcome email to start this process.

You will need a smartphone to verify your account.

Once you have set up your account, you will have access to your organisation’s application form. This will be specific to the level of accreditation and specialist standards your organisation needs to follow.

Step 2: Complete the application questions online

You will have 20 working days to complete your application.

In your application you will need to:

• confirm your organisations details
• answer questions about how your organisation meets the standards
• upload supporting documents.

At any stage you can save your progress and come back to your application later.

Step 3: Submit your application

Once you are happy with your answers and the documents you have uploaded, you can submit your application.

Step 4: We will assign an accreditation assessor

We will assign your organisation with an accreditation assessor. 

The assessor will be in touch to let you know they have been assigned to your organisation. They can answer any questions you have about your assessment and the accreditation process.

Step 5: Assessor does a desk-based assessment

Your assessor will review the information and documents you've provided. They will check to see if you meet the standards for the accreditation level you've applied for.

If we need additional information, we’ll let you know what is needed and when we need it by.

Step 6: Assessor visits your site

If you’ve applied for Level 4 accreditation, you won’t have a site visit. You will go to step 7.

If you’ve applied for Level 1, 2 or 3 accreditation, a site visit is required. Site visits allow assessors to view an organisation in operation.

In preparation for the site visit, your assessor will:

• arrange a time and date
• let you know what will happen
• let you know if they will have a co-assessor assisting them
• let you know approximately how long it will take.

At the site visit, your assessor will:

• talk to staff and observe how the programme runs
• look at facilities, equipment and other important documents they can’t look at online (e.g. staff files)
• give you feedback.

If your assessor identifies any actions, they will let you know what needs to be corrected and when you need to complete these by.

Step 7: Assessment outcome

You will be sent a confirmation email, confirming your accreditation status. You will get this within 30 days of your site visit. This email will contain a link for you to login, access your assessment report and see any actions you may need to take.

Find out about different accreditation outcomes.