Communications pack for TEOs – final-year Fees Free
Mōkī whakawhitiwhiti kōrero mā ngā TEO – Fees Free tau whakamutunga
This page has content that you can use in your communications and on your website to help learners understand the final-year Fees Free policy.
This page has content that you can use in your communications and on your website to help learners understand the final-year Fees Free policy.
On this page:
Content for your website
If you are a tertiary education organisation (TEO), please use the content below on your website.
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[Use this text]
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 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.
Key messages
TEOs can use these final-year Fees Free key messages in communications and engagements with learners.
The TEC will update these messages if anything changes.
End of Fees Free
- The Government has confirmed that Fees Free will end on 31 December 2026.
- If you complete your provider-based qualification or work-based programme in:
- 2026, you can still apply for Fees Free in myIR within 12 months of completing
- 2027 or later, you will not be eligible for Fees Free.
General Fees Free
- Fees Free is available to learners who complete their first eligible provider-based qualification or work-based programme in 2025 or 2026.
- Fees Free covers fees for the final year of tertiary study or final two years of work-based learning, up to $12,000.
- Fees Free aims to motivate and reward learners to complete their qualification or programme, and reduces the overall cost of study and learning.
- Fees Free can only be used once.
- If you get Fees Free and have a student loan, Inland Revenue will pay it towards your loan balance. If you do not have a student loan, Inland Revenue will pay it into the bank account you provide in your application.
For more information, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.
Eligibility for Fees Free
- To get Fees Free for your final year of study or work-based learning you must:
- complete an eligible provider-based qualification or a work-based programme in 2025 or 2026, and
- meet the residency requirements on the day you complete it.
- Even if you meet these requirements, you may not be eligible if you have:
- previously studied or done work-based learning, or
- already received Fees Free, or
- used the training incentive allowance to pay your final-year study fees.
- If you want to check if you meet the eligibility requirements before you complete your qualification or programme, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.
- If you’re unsure whether your qualification or programme is eligible, we (your TEO) can provide more information.
What learners need to do
At enrolment
- When you enrol, you need to pay your fees. To help cover this cost you may wish to apply for a student loan. Find out more at Student loan – StudyLink.
On completion
- When you complete your first eligible provider-based qualification or work-based programme, you need to apply for Fees Free in myIR.
- For study or work-based learning completed in the:
- 2026 calendar year, you must apply within 12 months of completing your qualification or programme
- 2025 calendar year, you have until 31 December 2026 to apply.
Application processing times
- Inland Revenue needs confirmation from us that you have completed your qualification or programme before they can process your application.
- The best time for you to apply for Fees Free is after Inland Revenue receives your completion information.
- For more information visit Fees Free Processing Times – Inland Revenue.
IRD numbers
- We will ask for your IRD number. This makes it easier to apply for Fees Free after you complete your first eligible provider-based qualification or work-based programme.
- You do not need to provide your IRD number if you have already had Fees Free or know your qualification/programme is not eligible.
Shorter qualifications
- Keep in mind that some shorter qualifications (like certificates) that you complete before a degree or diploma may use your Fees Free entitlement.
- If you’re unsure if your qualification is eligible, we (your TEO) can provide more information.
Definitions of key terms
Equivalent full-time student (EFTS)
Māori and Pasifika Trades Training website
New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)
Sponsored (immigration)