Private school registration

Private schools must be registered with us under section 214 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Section 214 of the Education and Training Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation

A private school is initially only provisionally registered. Once the school is fully registered, it receives some government funding.

Criteria for registration

If you usually provide tuition for 9 or more students aged between 5 and 16 years old, you must register as a private school. We must be satisfied that your premises, staffing, equipment and curriculum are suitable.

The criteria for registration are outlined in schedule 7 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Schedule 7 Private schools of the Education and Training Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation

Apply to register a private school

To register your school or proposed school, contact us at info@ero.govt.nz

If you meet the criteria:

• We will provisionally register your school.

• We will inspect the school within 12 months.

• We will advise you about whether the school is suitable for full registration.

Current private school managers must be assessed as fit and proper persons to manage a private school. They must be re-assessed every 3 years. Learn more here.

If an incident occurs that affects, or could affect, the health, safety or wellbeing of students, your first priority is to respond to the situation and ensure everyone is safe. If there is an immediate risk to life or safety, contact emergency services on 111 immediately.

Once any immediate risks have been managed, private schools and school hostels may have obligations to notify a student's parent or guardian, Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand Police, and ERO, depending on the nature of the incident and any applicable legal requirements.

Private schools and school hostels should notify ERO of significant incidents that may affect:

• the health, safety, or wellbeing of students;

• the suitability of staff, volunteers, contractors, or hostel workers to work with children or young people;

• compliance with legislative or regulatory requirements; or

• the safe operation of the school or hostel.

You can notify ERO:

Via email at enforcement@ero.govt.nz

By contacting ERO directly if urgent advice is required via 0800 376 800.