If you are an international student under 18 years of age on your first day at Unitec, this page contains important information you need to know, and the accommodation forms that need to be completed before your first day of study.
Code of practice
New Zealand education providers play an important role to ensure that international students are well looked after- we call this pastoral care. To support this, the New Zealand Government has developed the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2021, also known as the Code of Practice.
The Code of Practice sets the standards of care that you can expect as an international student under 18 years of age, and this includes the requirement for suitable accommodation.
Accommodation for students under 18
If you are an international student under the age of 18, your accommodation must be confirmed, and a risk assessment completed before your course starts.
If your accommodation is not confirmed, or risk assessment not completed by the start date, or latest start date approved for your course, this may impact your student visa and your ability to begin your course.
Please select an option below and ensure the forms are completed as soon as possible, so your accommodation can be confirmed in time for your course start date.
Accommodation options
Please select an option below and complete the required forms.
Option 1. Living with a parent or legal guardian in New Zealand
The applicant’s parent/s must confirm that the applicant will be living with them in Auckland until the applicant is 18 years of age.
We may arrange to view the property and meet with the parent/s as part of the process to confirm the accommodation.
Unitec may also ask the parent/s to provide a copy of their New Zealand visa to show they have the right to live in New Zealand for the duration of the student’s enrolment period.
Parent/s must complete this form:
How to submit this form:
- Scan and upload the completed form to the applicant’s Enrolment Dashboard or email them to internationalsupport@unitec.ac.nz
Option 2. Living with a designated caregiver in New Zealand
The applicant can live with a designated caregiver, who must be a relative or close family friend.
If the applicant’s parent/s would like the applicant to live with a designated caregiver, they must complete and sign the Parents Authority Form and the Indemnity Form.
Once we receive the forms signed by the parents and the designated caregiver, we will conduct a risk assessment for the designated caregiver. This will include a site visit, police vetting (of all adults living at the address) and other checks. The designated caregiver is subject to Unitec approval.
The risk assessment for the designated caregiver needs to be completed before the semester start date/latest start date approved for the student.
The risk assessment process does take a few weeks to complete and involves external agencies in the process.
If the risk assessment is not completed before the start date of the semester or the latest start date approved for the student, the student will need to move into a Unitec arranged homestay (charges apply, to be paid by the student/family) for the enrolment to continue or defer enrolment to the next semester. This may also impact the student visa.
If Unitec does not approve the designated caregiver, the family has the option to nominate another person to be a designated caregiver (risk assessment charges of $300 to be paid by the student/family in this case) or move the student to a Unitec arranged homestay (charges to be paid by the student/family) or defer enrolment to the next semester.
Parent/s must complete this form:
How to submit this form:
Scan and upload the completed form to the applicant’s Enrolment Dashboard or email them to internationalsupport@unitec.ac.nz.
Option 3. Living with an approved homestay family in New Zealand
The applicant may arrange to stay with a homestay family in New Zealand.
Unitec uses Host Families NZ to help with student placements, police checks and home inspections. Learn more about homestay accommodation.
Please email internationalsupport@unitec.ac.nz to let us know if you would like this option and we will assist you through the process.
International Welcome Day
We recommend that you attend International Welcome Day to get acquainted with the services and facilities at Unitec. We encourage parents and caregivers to attend the International Welcome Day.
Register your attendance at the Under 18 booth on the day.
If you miss the Welcome Day, please contact the International Support Team to make an appointment so that we can take you through what you have missed on the day.
Work authorisation for under 18's
Unitec does not endorse students under 18 to work during school sessions or holidays. Unitec will not provide letters to Immigration New Zealand to endorse students, and there are no exceptions.
Students must have adequate funds to maintain their time during their studies - this is also one the conditions of your study visa as issued by Immigration New Zealand.
Make contact with our team
Please email us on internationalsupport@unitec.ac.nz when you arrive in New Zealand.
If you have any difficulties with your accommodation, academic performance, general health and wellbeing or any other concerns, contact the International Support Team – we are here to help.
