Government support and funding

Fees Free

Fees Free tertiary education and training is a policy introduced in 2018 to expand participation in tertiary education and reduce student debt in New Zealand. It is targeted towards first-time learners.

If you are a first-time tertiary learner, or your first tertiary education was covered by the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF), you may be able to get up to $12,000 of your fees covered for one year’s study or two years’ training. If you are eligible, we’ll organise payment of your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission.

The fund is for NZ citizens or a holder of a Resident Class visa.

The fund is not available for work visa holders unless they work in a sector agreement. Our learners who work in a sector agreement are not charged trainee fees.

Learn more and discover if you are eligible for Fees Free by visiting by visiting feesfree.govt.nz.

Apprenticeship Boost

If you’re an employer taking on apprentices , you may be eligible for the Government’s Apprenticeship Boost. Apprenticeship Boost can pay you up to $12,000 across the first 2 years of an apprenticeship.

You can get Apprenticeship Boost for up to 24 months for each apprentice until the end of 2024.

You can get Apprenticeship Boost anytime within your apprentice’s first 2 years of training. An Apprenticeship Boost will be paid at $500 a month for apprentices in their first 12 months of training, and $500 a month for apprentices in their second 12 months of training.

Work and Income manages Apprenticeship Boost. Its website has more information about who is eligible for Apprenticeship Boost, and how to apply.

Learn more and apply for Apprenticeship Boost on the Work and Income website.

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.