After Education New Zealand discontinued its recognized agency programme in 2023, a group of education sector philanthropists created a privately-operated platform as a professional support forum for Education Counsellors. On this platform education counsellors worldwide can demonstrate their commitment to quality counselling to students planning to study in New Zealand, by engaging in discussions in our private chat group only available to licensed counsellors and by upskilling through learning about immigration rules, counselling practice, client service, student interactions, life in New Zealand, job seeking by students, and many more activities that help inform students about New Zealand opportunities.

This private non-profit effort is supported by education agencies, counsellors, university representatives, school counsellors, leaders of the independent training establishments in New Zealand, immigration advisers and many more who wish to see that education counselling continues with the assurance of quality and reliability. Continued professional education required for ECANZ licensing will in part come from Education New Zealand, from the AQSA in Australia and from many in the sector who contribute their expertise.

The Licensed Education Counsellor Authority of New Zealand Ltd. offers an opportunity for the previously unregulated group of education counsellors and agents worldwide to learn, work together and be recognised. It is not compulsory for an education counsellor to be licensed through ECANZ – and not every applicant will be accepted for licensing, since requirements apply. There is no cost to counsellors wishing to be registered here, and for their ongoing upskilling. All licenses and continued education is free – and we thank our generous donors for their support of this effort.

New Zealand Licensed Immigration Advisers, Australia OMARA-registered migration agents, NZ-registered lawyers and AQSA-registered Education Agents in Australia (through the TTMRA pathway), have full licensing rights as ECANZ Licensed Education Counsellors. All other applicants qualify through sponsorship by directors of education counselling agencies, or by virtue of their education or their past activities as education counsellors, either for provisional or full licenses – combined with meeting annual learning/development requirements through participation in FREE education events.

With licensing and education being free of charge there is no financial burden for education counsellors to obtain a license – and they can then demonstrate to students and their families that they adhere to a Code of Conduct, continue to learn and develop skills through Continued Professional Development, that they offer a robust complaints process and they maintain records to an acceptable standard. This protects potential students and their families from advice by education counsellors less skilled and trained, and it improves the reputation of New Zealand as a desirable destination for international students. It is not unlawful in New Zealand for an education counsellor to be un-registered/un-licensed – but if it is free and you can learn together with your peers to develop your skills, why not avail yourself of those opportunities?

Being privately sponsored and supported through offerings of free time by education sector experts, the Authority is a philanthropic community effort for the benefit of many and therefore charges no fees for licensing or required education. All licenses are issued free of any cost – we even throw in the postage to mail your hardcopy licensing packs overseas. 

Our leadership consists of an Operating Board, co-opted sector stakeholder representatives, a global group of Regional Commissioners who represent the interests of students, families and counsellors in specific geographic areas, a global group of Sector Commissioners who represent interests from a wide group of stakeholders, the Licensed Education Counsellor Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal where a Presiding Chair and lay members from the education sector handle complaints, and the Registrar’s Office to operate the ECANZ licensing regime. This diversity assures global impact through a close connection to worldwide education markets. It protects prospective students and their families.

Welcome to the Licensed Education Counsellor Authority of New Zealand Ltd.! If you are a student, we look forward to connecting you with education counsellors who have taken the extra step in their careers to become licensed, and if you are an education counsellor we welcome you to apply for licensing.