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 in 2025
The Government is making 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. Learn more about the changes to the Apprenticeship Boost.
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 after you complete your first eligible qualification or programme.
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 may wish to apply for a student loan. Find out more at Student loan – StudyLink
For more information on the eligibility requirements and when it is best to apply for Fees Free, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.
End of final-year Fees Free
The Government has confirmed that final-year Fees Free will finish at the end of 2026. Learners who complete an eligible work-based programme in 2026 will remain eligible and be able to apply for their Fees Free entitlement within 12 months of completion, up to 31 December 2027.
We recognise this announcement may raise questions for those of you who are expecting to complete a qualification or programme from 2027 onwards. Further details and specific arrangements relating to the end of the policy are still being worked through. The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and Primary ITO will provide you with clearer guidance as soon as this information is available.
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.