Source: Tertiary Education Commission
TEOs receiving On-Plan funding from the TEC are required to verify learner identity and eligibility for enrolment in accordance with the methods set out in the funding conditions. Usually TEOs verify learner identity and eligibility by sighting the original or a certified copy of a student’s “identity document”, being their current passport, birth certificate, certificate of identity, New Zealand certificate of citizenship, or expired passport that has not been cancelled.
Under the previous Alert Levels 3 and 4, the TEC authorised TEOs to accept identity documents submitted electronically, such as a scanned copy or a photo emailed to TEOs, which were accompanied with the learner’s signed declaration that they provided a true copy of their original identity document.
Under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework, there are new rules in relation to the operation of tertiary education providers. The TEC therefore authorises TEOs to verify student identity and eligibility in accordance with the below table. The table only applies where TEOs wish to verify learner identity or eligibility by sighting the original or a certified copy of a learner’s identity document. As mentioned above, there are other methods by which you can verify a learner’s identity or eligibility as set out in the funding conditions.
Does the learner have a valid My Vaccine Pass or COVID-19 vaccination exemption?
COVID-19 Protection Framework Traffic Light
TEO vaccine mandate in place
Mode of verification
Further guidance for TEOs
Yes
Green, Orange or Red
Yes / No
· In-person sighting of the original or a certified copy of the learner’s identity document.
· TEOs to keep a record (physical or electronic) of the learner’s identity document.
· If the TEO sights a certified copy of a learner’s identity document, they do not need to further sight the original.
No
Green or Orange
No
· In-person sighting of the original or a certified copy of the learner’s identity document.
· TEOs to keep a record (physical or electronic) of the learner’s identity document.
· If the TEO sights a certified copy of a learner’s identity document, they do not need to further sight the original.
Red
No
· Online sighting of the original or a certified copy of the learner’s identity document using digital communication software (such as Zoom); or
· Using verification services provided by organisations approved by the Department of Internal Affairs to act as an intermediary for identity confirmation.
· TEOs to keep a record (physical or electronic) of the learner’s identity document. For example, a printed copy, screenshot or electronic scan that will be kept on the learner’s academic records.
· If the TEO sights a certified copy of a learner’s identity document, they do not need to further sight the original.
Green, Orange or Red
Yes
· Online sighting of the original or a certified copy of the learner’s identity document using digital communication software (such as Zoom); or
· Using verification services provided by organisations approved by the Department of Internal Affairs to act as an intermediary for identity confirmation.
· TEOs to keep a record (physical or electronic) of the learner’s identity document. For example, a printed copy, screenshot or electronic scan that will be kept on the learner’s academic records.
· If learners have a certified copy of their identity document, TEOs do not need to further sight a learner’s original identification.
