Canvas is accessible only within New Zealand and Australia.
Canvas is accessible only within New Zealand and Australia.
The Government has announced that Fees Free for first year study or training will end in 2024. From 1 January 2025, a new Final-Year Fees Free policy will take its place.
Eligible tertiary learners in 2025 may be able to get Fees Free for their final year of study or training. From 2026 onwards, learners will need to apply for this entitlement through the IRD.
To learn more about the transition from First-Year Fees Free to the Final-Year Fees Free policy, visit the Fees Free website.
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Check the learner and programme eligibility criteria for work-based learning.
Learners can check their eligibility using the NSN checker tool at FeesFree.govt.nz. By entering their NSN, study type, and intended study year, they'll receive one of four possible results:
Fees Free eligibility depends on factors like residency status, previous study, and work-based training criteria. For full details check the Fees Free website.
For learners continuing the same qualification:
If training started in 2024 or earlier and continues in the same qualification in 2025, your fees will be covered until the end of 2025 or until entitlement is exhausted.
For work-based programmes continuing beyond 2025:
Fees incurred after 31 December 2025 will not be covered, and learners must arrange payment.
Make sure your 2024 learners are checking their Fees Free eligibility sooner rather than later, to ensure eligible learners don’t miss out on their first-year entitlement in 2024. For more information click here.
For employers and assessors, information and forms can be found here.
We'll do our best to keep these FAQs up to date.
For the latest information:
Learners can visit FeesFree.govt.nz for details on eligibility and entitlements.
Employers can find updates on the TEC website which is regularly refreshed with the latest information.
The final-year Fees Free policy has replaced the first-year Fees Free policy, as of 1 January 2025.
The final 24 months of work-based training costs may be reimbursed to the learner if they are eligible. Eligible learners will need to make the claim for reimbursement via IRD once they have completed their qualification.
Visit the Fees Free website for full details.
Learners who used first-year Fees Free funding will not be eligible for final-year Fees Free, even if they did not use the full amount they were entitled to.
Applications for reimbursement of training fees can only be submitted by learners, via the IRD, once they have completed an eligible qualification and a certificate has been issued. The TEC haven't confirmed the reimbursement process yet, but we expect that they will request evidence of fee payment.
Apprenticeship Boost provides support for employers to keep and take on new apprentices. It aims to help apprentices to earn and learn while training, so they become skilled practitioners in targeted occupations that are critical to New Zealand’s growth and sustainability.
The Apprenticeship Boost is a payment available through the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to support employers of apprentices in their first year of training in particular qualifications. Employers can receive up to 12 months of support. Payment is currently $500 per month for eligible apprentices.
For more information visit Apprenticeship Boost - Work and Income.
As of 1 January 2025, apprentices in their first year of training, who are enrolled in a TEC approved qualification, are eligible for Apprenticeship Boost.
Employers may receive up to 12 monthly payments for an eligible apprentice who is actively training in a targeted occupation.
For more information on apprentice eligibility please visit Apprenticeship Boost - Work and Income.
