Running a hostel
Student hostels can be set up and run by schools or by private providers and include health camps. Hostels need to be licenced to operate and and licences are renewed every 3 years. ERO reviews all hostels as part of their regular review cycle.
- Setting up a new hostel
- Process for renewing a hostel licence
- When things change
- Hostel reviews
- Complaints about a hostel
- Operating a hostel
- Further information
Setting up a new hostel
A hostel is defined as having 5 or more beds and charges students a fee for boarding there. Both schools and private providers can set up a hostel. If you want to set up a new hostel you should read the Guidelines to the hostel regulations 2005 (guidelines) [PDF, 1.2 MB] before completing the application form. All hostels need to meet the minimum standards specified in these guidelines.
Schools must contact their Ministry Property Advisor for advice, if they plan to build a new hostel.
- Guidelines to the hostel regulations 2005 [PDF, 1.2 MB]
- Download and complete the application form for a hostel licence [DOC, 155 KB]
- Scan and email your form to hostel.licensing@education.govt.nz
Renewing a hostel licence
You need to renew your hostel licence every 3 years. The Ministry of Education (the Hostel Licencing Authority) will email you a reminder that your licence is expiring 2, 6, and 12 months before the expiry date. You need to submit your licence renewal form 20 working days before the licence expires.
- Download and complete the licence renewal form [DOCX, 68 KB]
- Scan and email your form to hostel.licensing@education.govt.nz
When things change
Hostel owners need to let the Hostel Licencing Authority know when there is a change of owner, change of premises and notice of new directors.
- Change of ownership form [DOCX, 47 KB]
- Change of premises and operations form [DOCX, 55 KB]
- Notice of new directors and board members form [DOCX, 47 KB]
Scan and send the completed forms to hostel.licensing@education.govt.nz
Hostel reviews
The Education Review Office (ERO) review all hostels (external link) as part of their regular review cycle.
Complaints about hostels
Students, schools and parents can complain about a hostel. Complaints need to be sent to the hostel owner who will follow the complaints procedure on page 31 of the guidelines.
Operating a hostel
Hostels need to meet minimum operating standards for the building structure and facilities, maintenance, emergency management and health and safety. See the Guidelines for further details or contact your Ministry Property Advisor.
Hostel running costs
Hostel owners must be able to pay the running costs, including the upkeep, from boarding fees or other board funds.
We don't provide any operating, maintenance or capital funding for hostels. This means that you can't pay for your hostel’s maintenance costs using your school’s Property Maintenance Grant (PMG) or 5 Year Agreement (5YA) funding.
Setting hostel fees
Hostel owners must set hostel fees at a level that will cover all operating, maintenance and modernisation costs.
Financial accounting for your school hostel
If you're a school hostel owner you should contact their Ministry Financial Advisor if you need assistance with this.
- Boarding allowances information (external link) on the Parents website (If your child lives in a remote area or faces other barriers to achieving at school you can apply for funding so that they can board away from home and focus on their studies.)
- Download the Guidelines to the hostel regulations 2005 [PDF, 1.2 MB]
- email hostel.licensing@education.govt.nz
- The Education (Code of Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 (external link) - NZQA website
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