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, you may be able to get Fees Free for study or training starting in 2024. If you are eligible, we’ll organise payment of your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission.

The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free scheme will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.

Check if you are eligible in 2024, or find out about the final-year Fees Free scheme 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.