Code of Practice

What is the Code of Practice?

When students come to study in New Zealand, education providers have an important responsibility to ensure that those students are well-informed, safe and properly cared for.

The Tertiary and International Learners Code of Practice outlines the full legal requirements that education providers enrolling international students must abide by.

The Code of Practice applies to:

Education providers who enrol international students, domestic tertiary students, or industry trainees and apprentices.
Students who came from overseas to study in New Zealand.
Domestic tertiary students.

The document supports the Government’s objectives for international education by:

Requiring signatories to take all reasonable steps to protect international students; and
Ensuring, so far as is possible, that international students have in New Zealand a positive experience that supports their educational achievement.

SLEC has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Ministry of Education.

Copies of this document are available from SLEC or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website.

Fee protect

The New Zealand Government requires all private training establishments registered with the NZQA to have protection for fees paid to them in advance. These requirements are outlined in the NZQA’s website.

Fee Protect is a student fee trust account which ensures you receive a refund of the fees (or portion of fees) you pay to a training provider if the provider is unable to complete the course, for example due to closure, insolvency or loss of their NZQA accreditation.

Student fees include:

Course tuition costs
Accommodation costs
Living expenses
Travel and health insurance premiums, if arranged through your training provider

On arrival at Southern Lakes English College, you will be asked to sign a ‘Student Acknowledgement Form’ in order to complete your fee protection.

You can find more information Here

Visas & Insurance

According to the The Tertiary and International Learners Code of Practice, it is a requirement for international students to have appropriate and valid medical insurance while studying in New Zealand.

International students must have sufficient medical and travel insurance for the full term of their intended stay in New Zealand. The New Zealand Government’s Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2021 and Immigration New Zealand require all international students to have appropriate health and travel insurance during their period of study.

Your insurance policy must start from the time you travel to New Zealand to study or from the time you begin your study or get your student visa.

You can find more information Here.

Pastoral care

Pastoral care is an essential part of ensuring that the physical and emotional welfare of students is taken seriously. It is the essential foundation in which effective and safe learning can take place. Pastoral care aims to help students feel safe, happy, involved and appreciated, which then allows them to meet their potential in their studies.

If a student does not feel safe or develops any concerns or complaints regarding a fellow student or staff member, it is SLEC's responsibility to ensure that the student is treated fairly and with respect, and that their concern is handled promptly.

As an education provider, we are responsible for the welfare of our international students.

The Pastoral Care Code provides a framework to make sure international students are:

well-informed
safe
looked after

The Code isn’t about academic standards—it’s just about supporting and providing information for international students.

We pride ourselves on our excellent Pastoral Care at Southern Lakes English College.

Grievance procedures

At SLEC, we care about you and we are here to support you. We are committed to delivering a high-quality service and continuous improvement, so please talk to us first if you have a complaint.

Check here for the Complaints Chart