Government support and funding
The Government is committed to investing in on the job training to support our skills pipeline in New Zealand. Below are the funding sources available in 2026:
Apprenticeship Boost
If you’re an employer taking on apprentices, you may be eligible for the Apprenticeship Boost.
Apprenticeship Boost is a payment made to employers to help you keep and take on new apprentices. The payment is made directly to employers.
Employers can get $500 a month, per apprentice, not including GST. If you're GST registered, you'll be paid the amount plus GST.
Changes to Apprenticeship Boost
The Government has made changes to Apprenticeship Boost. From 1 January 2025, it will only be available for employers of first-year apprentices in targeted sectors with skills shortages.
Most of the sectors that Primary ITO has Apprenticeships in are part of this scheme. Work and Income manages this scheme.
Work and Income also has information about other apprenticeship programmes, such as Mana in Mahi, Group Training Schemes, and the Regional Apprenticeships Initiative.
Learn more about Work and Income’s apprenticeship support programmes.
Fees Free
Starting tertiary study or work-based learning for the first time? You may be able to get Fees Free if you complete your first eligible qualification or programme in 2025 or 2026.
Fees Free covers the cost of your fees for the final year of study or final two years of work-based learning, up to $12,000.
When you enrol, you will need to pay your fees. To help you cover this cost, you can apply for a student loan. Find out more at Student loan – StudyLink.
For more information about eligibility and when to apply for Fees Free, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.
The Ending of Fees Free
The Government will end Fees Free for the final year of tertiary study and final two years of work-based learning on 31 December 2026.
If you complete an eligible qualification or programme in 2026, you can apply for Fees Free within 12 months of finishing, up to 31 December 2027.
If you complete your qualification or programme after 31 December 2026, you will not be eligible for Fees Free.
Flexi-wage
Flexi-wage is a support system from Work and Income that can help you get the skills you need to meet the entry-level requirements for a job.
You can get training and ongoing support if you need it, and your employer can get a wage contribution to help them pay your wages. The job must continue after the Flexi-wage has finished.
Find out more here.