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SIEBA actively advocates for the school sector and engages with decision‑makers on issues that matter most to our members. This work is critical to ensuring school voices are heard where it counts.

We engage regularly with Ministers, government agencies and officials, and key sector partners to raise concerns, identify emerging challenges, and advocate for policy and operational settings that support schools delivering international education.

While much of this advocacy takes place behind the scenes, it is ongoing, strategic, and carefully planned. Through this page, we aim to make our advocacy work more visible, so members can clearly see how SIEBA is representing their interests and working on their behalf.
 
If you’re a member and interested in viewing our past submissions, you can access the SIEBA Ministerial Briefings & Submissions Register HERE or in our Member Resources.

 International Student Fee (ISF)

  • Date: February 2026
  • Agency: MoE
  • Issue:
    The International Student Fee (ISF) is a charge to schools enrolling international students. It is approximately $470 per FTE international student and generates around $5m per year, retained by the Ministry from school operations grants. The framework for the ISF continues to be challenged.
  • Action:
    Papers submitted to MoE and the Minister of Education since 2024, with proactive follow-up to keep the issue active. The goal is for the ISF to be abolished, reduced, or repurposed to better support sector development.
  • Outcome:
    Agreement has been reached that the ISF is no longer fit for purpose and should be reviewed. Work is underway on a review framework and alternative options.
  • Next Steps:
    Awaiting further engagement with MoE and the Minister. Action is on hold until sector support matters in the Government’s Going for Growth Plan are finalised.
  • Status: Ongoing

Export Education Levy (EEL)

  • Date: February 2026
  • Agency: MoE
  • Issue:
    The Export Education Levy (EEL) is applied to all providers offering international education and is approximately $70 per FTE international student.
  • Action:
    The EEL is under review following pressure from the peak body alliance. The alliance is seeking reduced payments for private providers, a cap on accumulated EEL funds, and clearer guidelines on the use of those funds. 
  • Outcome:
    The Minister is engaging in discussions on the EEL. The Peak Body Alliance has prepared documentation for tabling, and a meeting with the Minister is scheduled for 11 March 2026.
  • Next Steps:
    Ongoing discussions with the Minister and further submissions as required.
  • Status: Ongoing

Pathway Visas and Multi‑Year Visas

  • Date: February 2026
  • Agency: INZ
  • Issue:
    Pathway visas and multi-year visas are important tools to encourage enrolment and support pathways between providers.
  • Action:
    SIEBA has regularly raised the need to review the pathway visa, which has remained a pilot since 2015. Through the Government’s Going for Growth Plan, pathway visas and multi-year visas have been identified as priorities for INZ.
  • Outcome:
    A review of pathway visas is included in the Going for Growth Plan as a medium-term goal, with decisions expected by June 2026. Eligibility expansion and multi-year visas are being considered.
  • Next Steps:
    Further exploration of pathway and multi-year visas as part of a broader review of student visa products.
  • Status: Ongoing

NCEA Fees for International Students

  • Date: October 2024
  • Agency: NZQA
  • Issue:
    NZQA amended processes so schools could no longer remove international students from assessments to avoid NCEA fees.
  • Action:
    SIEBA engaged with NZQA at senior levels to challenge the changes.
  • Outcome:
    No change was agreed to, and the NZQA process remains in place.
  • Next Steps:
    Refer to the Newsletter article from November 2024.
  • Status: Closed

Going for Growth Plan

  • Date: April 2025
  • Agency: ENZ / MoE
  • Issue:
    The Government released a growth plan for international education, with SIEBA providing feedback to support the school sector.
  • Action:
    SIEBA responded to requests for enrolment forecasts and outcomes and engaged directly with the Minister of Education regarding sector support.
  • Outcome:
    The plan was released in August 2025 alongside ENZ Go to Market Plans. The school sector is identified as a priority for growth.
  • Next Steps:
    Continued engagement with the Minister and ENZ to confirm targeted support and expand market development investment for schools.
  • Status: Ongoing

International Students Changing to Domestic Status

  • Date: February 2026
  • Agency: MoE
  • Issue:
    International students transitioning to domestic status.
  • Action:
    SIEBA raised the issue with the Minister and is monitoring INZ data. The Minister has asked INZ to investigate and report back.
  • Outcome:
    INZ is producing visa data to inform the position.
  • Next Steps:
    Evaluate once visa data is available.
  • Status: Ongoing

INZ Student Visa Expiry Dates

  • Date: February 2026
  • Agency: INZ
  • Issue:
    Student visas for full-year enrolments default to expiring on 31 March the following year. INZ has proposed changes to improve processing workflows.
  • Action:
    INZ is seeking feedback again on changing the expiry date for the school sector.
  • Outcome:
    In October 2024, SIEBA submitted a position supporting retention of the 31 March expiry date. The decision was deferred and is under consideration again.
  • Next Steps:
    SIEBA to circulate the INZ survey to schools for submission.
  • Status: Ongoing

NCEA Changes

  • Date: September 2025
  • Agency: MoE
  • Issue:
    Proposed changes to NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3.
  • Action:
    SIEBA surveyed members and made a submission to MoE.
  • Outcome:
    Submissions led to some proposed changes and timelines being reconsidered.
  • Next Steps:
    Awaiting the outcome of the review.
  • Status: Ongoing