The PQR will be dependent on the National Qualifications Agencies to initiate standards and qualifications development and to establish quality assurance mechanisms that will facilitate registration of quality assured qualifications on the national frameworks and registers.

As the region is made up of small island states with some much smaller than the others, the needs and expectations vary widely. NQAs will provide the link between each country and the Regional Qualifications Register. As NQA registered qualifications are transferred onto the PQR they are fitted into the appropriate level resulting in a range of compatible qualifications originating from various countries.

At the national level, the NQA will ensure qualifications are nationally relevant; however, the PQR will facilitate international l equivalence.

Roles of individual NQAs may vary from country to country depending on the needs of each country, however the general principles under which they exist and operate would be very similar.

More information on NQAs already established in the Pacific and other international systems can be obtained from the links below:

• Samoa Qualifications Authority
  
• Tonga National Qualifications & Accreditation Board
  
• Fiji Qualifications Authority
  
• New Zealand Qualifications Authority
  
• Australian Qualifications Framework Council
  
• Transnational Qualifications Framework (Commonwealth of Learning)