List your overseas qualification exactly as awarded, then add the closest NZ equivalent in brackets if you know it, for example a bachelor's degree. Keep the country of study visible, and avoid abbreviations only recognised at home, so both a person and screening software can read it correctly.
The decision most people get stuck on isn't whether to include the qualification, it's how much translating to do yourself versus how much to leave for the employer to work out. There are really three approaches, and which one fits depends on how well known your qualification is likely to be in NZ.
Option one: list it exactly as awarded, with the country named
This means writing the qualification title in full, the awarding institution, and the country, with no NZ equivalent added. It's the most honest option and avoids any risk of mistranslating your own qualification. The downside is that a hiring manager or screening software scanning for NZ terms like "Bachelor of Nursing" or "NZQA Level 4" might not immediately connect your title to what they're looking for, especially if the name is very country specific.
Option two: list it as awarded, then add a plain-English NZ equivalent in brackets
This is the middle ground most CVs land on. You keep the original title and institution for accuracy, then add something like "(equivalent to a NZ bachelor's degree)" afterwards. It gives both a human reader and keyword-based screening software something to match on, without overstating what the qualification actually is. This only works if you're confident about the equivalence, so a quick check against NZQA's international qualification comparisons is worth doing first rather than guessing.
Option three: get a formal NZQA assessment and cite that
For some roles, particularly regulated ones like nursing, teaching or some trades, an informal bracket isn't enough and you'll need a formal recognition or registration process before you can even apply. In that case your CV should state where that process is up to, for example "NZQA assessment in progress" or "assessment completed, equivalent to Level 7". This is slower and sometimes costs money, but it removes all doubt for the employer and is often a legal requirement rather than a CV styling choice.
- Use the qualification's full original title, not a local nickname for it
- Name the country and institution clearly
- Only add an NZ equivalent you're reasonably sure of
- Spell out any abbreviation the first time you use it
- Mention formal recognition status if the role is regulated
- Keep the whole qualification line to two or three lines max
- Put it under Education, not mixed into your work history
- Avoid overseas grading terms NZ employers won't recognise, like a specific class ranking system
Which should you pick?
If you're applying for a general entry-level role where the qualification is a nice-to-have rather than a legal requirement, option two, listing it as awarded with a plain NZ equivalent, usually gives you the best shot at being understood quickly by both software and people. If the role is regulated, in healthcare, teaching or a licensed trade, go straight to option three and get the formal process started, since no amount of clever CV wording substitutes for the actual registration.
Key takeaways
- Always list the qualification as it was actually awarded, not a localised guess at the title.
- Add a plain NZ equivalent in brackets only when you're confident it's accurate.
- Regulated roles need formal recognition, not just CV wording, before you can start.
- Keep the country of study visible so an employer isn't left guessing.
- Avoid acronyms or grading terms that only make sense in your home country.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my qualification formally recognised to apply for any NZ job?
No, only regulated roles such as nursing, teaching or certain licensed trades require formal recognition before you can work. For most entry-level roles, a clearly described qualification on your CV is enough to apply.
Where can I check the NZ equivalent of my overseas qualification?
NZQA publishes comparisons for many countries' qualifications. It's worth checking there rather than guessing, since an inaccurate equivalent on your CV can look worse than leaving it unstated.
Should I translate my qualification name into English if it wasn't originally in English?
Yes, provide an English translation alongside the original title so both a person and any screening software can read it. Keep the original name too for accuracy.
Will screening software reject my CV if my qualification isn't a recognised NZ title?
It might miss a keyword match if the title is very different from what the job ad searches for. Adding a plain NZ equivalent in brackets reduces this risk without misrepresenting what you hold.
If you're newer to the country and want your whole CV checked over, not just the qualification line, the Newcomers Toolkit is built for exactly this and is free to use.