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.

The Code of Conduct for all Licensed Education Counsellors is:

ECANZ CODE OF CONDUCT

Education Counsellor Authority of New Zealand Ltd.

This Code of Conduct sets out the minimum professional, ethical and operational standards required of persons licensed by the Education Counsellor Authority of New Zealand Ltd. (ECANZ) as Licensed Education Counsellors.

Compliance with this Code is a condition of holding and maintaining an ECANZ licence.

Nothing in this Code authorises a Licensed Education Counsellor to provide immigration advice within the meaning of New Zealand law unless the Counsellor is separately authorised to do so as an exempt person and limited to any immigration advice to students only.

GENERAL PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS

1.1 A Licensed Education Counsellor must at all times act honestly, professionally, diligently and respectfully.

1.2 A Licensed Education Counsellor must perform all services with reasonable care, skill and timeliness.

1.3 A Licensed Education Counsellor must conduct their professional activities in a manner that upholds the integrity and reputation of the education counselling profession.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING IMMIGRATION ADVICE

2.1 Licensed Education Counsellors are not Licensed Immigration Advisers unless they separately hold a licence issued under the Immigration Advisers Licensing regime administered by the Immigration Advisers Authority pursuant to the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.

2.2 Unless the Counsellor holds a current immigration adviser licence or falls within a statutory exemption under that Act, the Counsellor must not:

1. Provide immigration advice other than what is allowed for offshore exempt persons and limited to student visa advice;
   b. Represent or act for a person in relation to a visa or immigration matter other than a student;
   c. Prepare or submit visa applications on behalf of a client other than a student;
   d. Represent themselves as an immigration adviser to anyone.

2.3 Licensed Education Counsellors must clearly inform clients that immigration advice for any visas other than student visas must be obtained from a licensed immigration adviser or exempt person.

2.4 Where immigration advice is required, the Counsellor must refer the client to a person licensed by the Immigration Advisers Authority or an exempt person.

2.5 Any breach of this section may constitute an offence under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 and it would be a cause to immediately revoke an ECANZ license.

CLIENT CARE

3.1 A Licensed Education Counsellor must maintain a professional relationship of confidence and trust with each client.

3.2 A Counsellor must:

1. Provide objective and accurate advice regarding education options and student enrolment processes.
   b. Respect and acknowledge the cultural norms, values and circumstances of each client.
   c. Facilitate the provision of interpreters or translators where reasonably necessary.
   d. Obtain and act in accordance with the informed instructions of the client.
   e. When requested, assist the client to access publicly available information concerning the Treaty of Waitangi and tikanga Māori.

3.3 A Counsellor must enter into a written service agreement with each client prior to providing services.

3.4 The written agreement must:

1. Comply with ECANZ minimum requirements;
   b. Disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest;
   c. Provide details of the ECANZ complaints process.

CONFIDENTIALITY

4.1 A Licensed Education Counsellor must preserve the confidentiality of all information obtained from or about the client.

4.2 A Counsellor must ensure that any employee, contractor or agent engaged by the Counsellor also preserves client confidentiality.

4.3 Confidential information must not be disclosed except:

1. With the client’s informed consent;
   b. Where required by law;
   c. Where disclosure is reasonably necessary to provide agreed services.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

5.1 Where a Licensed Education Counsellor becomes aware of a potential or actual conflict of interest relating to a client, the Counsellor must disclose that conflict in writing.

5.2 Disclosure must include any financial or non-financial benefit the Counsellor may receive arising from the relationship with the client or from an education provider.

5.3 A Counsellor may continue to act only if the client provides informed written consent.

5.4 A Counsellor must decline or cease to act if:

1. Their professional objectivity would be compromised; or
   b. Continuing to act would breach client confidentiality.

LIMITS OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

6.1 A Licensed Education Counsellor must only provide services within the scope of their professional competence.

6.2 Where the matter falls outside their expertise, the Counsellor must refer the client to a suitably qualified professional.

6.3 Provisional licence holders must:

1. Inform the client of their provisional licence status;
   b. Comply with ECANZ supervision requirements;
   c. Seek guidance from a Director Licence holder where necessary.

FUTILE ENROLMENT MATTERS

7.1 Where a proposed student enrolment has little or no reasonable prospect of success, the Counsellor must advise the client in writing.

7.2 The written advice must explain the reasons for that opinion and the potential risks.

7.3 If the client instructs the Counsellor to proceed despite the advice, the Counsellor must obtain written acknowledgement from the client.

PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

8.1 Where a client has previously engaged another education counsellor or agent, the Counsellor must ensure that:

1. The prior engagement has ended; or
   b. The client has terminated the engagement in writing; or
   c. The client authorises the Counsellor to terminate the prior engagement.

8.2 Where multiple counsellors are engaged, the scope of responsibilities must be clearly documented.

ECANZ LICENSING

9.1 A Licensed Education Counsellor must provide evidence of their licence upon request.

9.2 This may be done by:

1. Presenting a valid licence card; or
   b. Referring the client to the ECANZ public online register.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

10.1 A Licensed Education Counsellor must maintain an internal complaints process.

10.2 The procedure must inform clients that they may also lodge complaints with ECANZ.

10.3 The Counsellor must comply with their internal complaints process when handling complaints.

CODE AND DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS

Before entering into a written agreement, the Counsellor must provide the client with:

1. A copy of this Code of Conduct.
   b. A summary of the Counsellor’s professional responsibilities.
   c. A copy of the Counsellor’s internal complaints procedure.

WRITTEN AGREEMENTS

12.1 A Counsellor must provide a written agreement before commencing services.

12.2 The Counsellor must explain all significant terms to the client.

12.3 Agreements must be signed or accepted in writing by all parties.

12.4 Any amendments must be documented and agreed in writing.

CONTENT OF WRITTEN AGREEMENTS

The written agreement must include:

1. The name and licence number of the Counsellor providing services.
   b. Authority for the Counsellor to act on behalf of the client (where applicable).
   c. Fees and pricing structure.
   d. Taxes, levies or disbursements payable.
   e. Payment terms.
   f. Refund policy.
   g. Disclosure of conflicts of interest.
   h. Confirmation that the client received this Code of Conduct.
   i. Confirmation that the client received the complaints procedure.

FEES

14.1 Fees must be fair and reasonable.

14.2 Counsellors must not undertake work that unnecessarily increases costs.

14.3 Any change in fees must be disclosed and agreed in writing.

DISBURSEMENTS

15.1 Disbursements must be charged at actual cost or a reasonable estimate.

15.2 Counsellors must not incur unnecessary disbursements.

15.3 Any changes must be disclosed and agreed in writing.

REFUNDS

Counsellors must ensure that:

1. Refunds are fair and reasonable;
   b. Refund obligations can be met;
   c. Refunds are paid promptly upon termination or completion of services.

DOCUMENT SECURITY

17.1 Client documents must be securely stored.

17.2 Passports and personal documents must be returned promptly when requested.

TERMINATION OF SERVICES

18.1 Any termination of services must be confirmed in writing.

18.2 Where services cease, the Counsellor must provide the client with a full update on the status of the matter.

MISREPRESENTATION

A Licensed Education Counsellor must not misrepresent:

1. Their qualifications or licence status;
   b. Their business;
   c. Their employees;
   d. The client’s circumstances;
   e. Education opportunities or risks;
   f. Education provider requirements.

APPLICATIONS TO EDUCATION PROVIDERS

A Counsellor must not knowingly or negligently provide false or misleading information to an education provider.

Where misleading information is discovered, the Counsellor must:

1. Inform the client of the potential consequences;
   b. Discuss how the issue may be remedied;
   c. Withdraw services if the client refuses to remedy the situation.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Counsellors must meet all ECANZ CPD requirements.

Provisional licence holders must complete at least one ECANZ-approved CPD session within 90 days of licensing.

TRADEMARK USE

22.1 The designation “Licensed Education Counsellor” may only be used while holding a valid ECANZ licence.

22.2 All ECANZ names, marks and logos are registered intellectual property and protected under New Zealand law.

22.3 Unauthorised use of ECANZ trademarks is prohibited.