Health and Wellbeing Qualifications Review

A comprehensive review

Toitū te Waiora is doing a comprehensive review of eight qualifications in 2024. As the qualification developer, we want to ensure the qualifications are fit-for-purpose for the sector – and that graduates can meet the requirements of the Health and Wellbeing workforce.   

Our engagement with our sector has highlighted the need to take a combined approach. Reviewing the qualifications together will ensure a big picture view and an aligned approach to the engagement process to address gaps in qualification pathways. 

Latest updates

The first phase of engagement for the Health and Wellbeing qualifications review involved consulting widely across the sector. Feedback included:  

• 220 survey responses. 

• 50+ one-on-one kōrero with industry partners. 

• 40+ one-on-one kōrero with Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs). 

• Three sector-specific consultation groups established – working with subject specialists in the Home and Community Support, Aged Residential Care and Disability sectors.  

• Ongoing consultation with SMEs from Newborn Hearing Screening, Vision Hearing Screening, Health Care Assistance and Orderlies sectors. 

• Two TEO workshops – consulting with providers on the ground delivering these qualifications. 

What we have learned 

While the qualifications are working well for some of our sectors, we know that for others career pathways need to be strengthened. We want to make sure that these qualifications support a range of roles in the Health and Wellbeing workforce, while providing flexibility for learners progressing in the sector.  

We need your feedback 

New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 2) [Ref: 2469] 

Proposed changes: changes to this introductory qualification are minor, reflecting the feedback from industry that Level 2 is generally fit-for-purpose.  

Draft documents for consultation 

Qualification Overview (Tracked Changes) 

Qualification Overview (Clean) 

Qualification Guidance Notes 

New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) [Ref: 2470] 

Proposed changes: Based off your feedback, we have drafted two proposed options for the future structure of the Level 3 qualification: 

• Option 1: Retains one Level 3 qualification, adding further strands to better reflect different support work contexts and emerging roles within the sector. 

• Option 2: This option responds to the demonstrated need for a separate qualification to support the disability sector. It also splits out the qualification further to reflect the growth and range of support roles within hospital and community settings, and the increasing need for robust workplace-based training.  

Please note: Any new qualification content will require further scoping and development and will be undertaken in conjunction with skill standard development. 

Draft documents for consultation 

Level 3 Qualification Options 

Feedback 

We are seeking feedback on the proposed qualification changes. Feedback can be given via our consultation form, or alternatively get in touch with us at [email protected]. Please provide feedback by Wednesday 31st July.  

What’s next? 

We will focus next on the Level 4 qualifications and kick-off further sector-specific consultation groups initially in the following areas: 

• Social Services 

• Mental Health and Addiction 

• Pacific Health and Wellbeing. 

Working collaboratively  

We still need your support. 

Guidance from sector stakeholders, providers, Māori, and other groups like Pacific and tangata whaikaha, is crucial. By reviewing these qualifications together and working closely with the sector, we aim to ensure any changes address gaps in the pathways and provide scaffolded learning opportunities.  

We want to make sure we include the voice of sector, industry, learners, providers, iwi and other key stakeholders in the review. There are a few ways you can participate: 

• Receive project updates 
• Join a consultation, or  
• Have a one-on-one kōrero with our team 

Consultation groups will ensure we have representation and insight across different specialist areas of the sector. Current providers will work with us to identify any areas for improvement for qualifications and we will also work alongside industry to identify gaps in the workforce and priorities for the sector. 

More information

Contact the team on [email protected] 

For information on how we are engaging with Māori and Pacific contact Wayne or Maikali on:

• Wayne Glen, Industry Engagement Lead Māori: [email protected]
• Maikali Kilioni, Industry Engagement Lead Pacific: [email protected]