Immigration Advisers Authority newsletter #1

January 2008

With 2008 well and truly underway, it’s a good time to bring you up to speed on the Immigration Advisers Authority’s progress to date and where this year will take us. 

Public consultation closed
Our public consultation on the draft competency standards and code of conduct closed on 21 December. Throughout the consultation, the IAA website received 1700 visits from 62 countries. I was pleased with the quality of the submissions received and would like to thank everyone who took part. All feedback is being considered, and the finalised standards and code will be sent to the Minister of Immigration for approval next month.  We expect final documents to be posted on our website in the first week of March.

Assessments and evidence requirements
The right assessment procedures are crucial to any high-quality licensing system. We have engaged Competency International Limited (CIL) to develop our assessment model and evidence requirements. CIL specialises in qualifications development, workplace assessment operations and training linked to competency standards. CIL has worked with clients around the world, as well as with ITOs, tertiary institutions, private industry and government agencies in New Zealand. Most recently CIL developed the assessment tools for the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme for the New Zealand Department of Building and Housing.

Getting the Authority ready for business
The Authority has signed a lease for permanent premises in Symonds Street, Auckland. A re-fit will commence in February and we expect to move in late March. We will update you with contact details closer to the time.
We are now also advertising for five initial roles: 
¬    Business Manager
¬    Senior Adviser Professional Standards
¬    Team Leader Licensing Assessment
¬    Licensing Administrator Officer
¬    Team Leader Investigations
You can find out more about these roles here: Jobs at IAA (applicants must be a New Zealand permanent resident or citizen).

Countdown to licensing
And of course there is our most important milestone:  the launch of Immigration Advisers’ licensing on 4 May. With only a few months to go before the Authority opens for business, we are focused on having processes and systems in place that work well from day one. If you have any ideas or feedback, please contact us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , freephone 0508 IAA IAA (0508 422 422 — New Zealand only) or write to us at PO Box 6222, Wellesley St, Auckland, New Zealand.

Otherwise, you’ll hear from us again next month.


Barry Smedts
Registrar of Immigration Advisers