New qualifications in Disability Support August 25th, 2025 Toitū te Waiora Workforce Development Council is seeking sector and community feedback on two proposed qualifications: New Zealand Certificate in Disability Support (Level 3) New Zealand Certificate in Disability Support (Level 4) These qualifications have been co-designed with disabled people, whānau, employers, providers, and the wider disability community. Development has been guided by our Disability Support Consultation Group (DSCG) — comprised of subject matter experts and those with lived experience from across the disability support sector. They reflect contemporary, rights-based practice and are grounded in the Enabling Good Lives approach. Why these qualifications matter Feedback from our 2024–2025 sector engagement showed that existing health and wellbeing qualifications do not fully meet the needs of the disability support workforce. The new qualifications aim to: Provide a clear, staircased pathway for the disability support workforce. Embed person-centred, rights-based, and culturally responsive practice. Strengthen capability across the sector to support disabled people to live ordinary lives with dignity and purpose. About the Level 3 qualification The New Zealand Certificate in Disability Support (Level 3) will be supported by skill standards. There are currently two sets of skill standards out for public consultation, with more identified in the pipeline for priority development: Health and Wellbeing Core Skill Standards – currently out for consultation Disability Support Skill Standards (Level 3) – consultation is now closed, read a summary of the feedback here. We will continue to develop new skill standards, either by redeveloping existing unit standards or creating new standards to address identified gaps. Once there is a full suite of skill standards to support the Health and Wellbeing sector, it is expected that they will become mandatory for programme assessment. About the Level 4 qualification The skill standards to underpin the Level 4 qualification will be developed next, providing a clear next step in the disability support learning pathway. It is our intention that the development of the Level 4 skill standards will be undertaken by the new Industry Skills Board (ISB) as a priority once they are established in January 2026. This mahi will scaffold directly on the foundation created at Level 3. We will continue to work with our DSCG and the future ISBs to ensure this mahi is progressed in 2026. How to give feedback Email [email protected] Your feedback will help ensure these qualifications meet the needs of learners, the disability support workforce, and the disability community. 📢National consultation closes: 5pm, Friday 12 September 2025 📄 Read the documents and submit your feedback: New Zealand Certificate in Disability Support (Level 3) New Zealand Certificate in Disability Support (Level 4) Alternate formats You can request information from us in your preferred format at: [email protected] Alternate formats available: MS Word Easy Read New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) audio large print HTML. We will do our best to provide it as quickly as possible, but there may be some delay with external accessibility services.
