First-year Fees Free
Fees Free tau tuatahi
First-year Fees Free has now ended.
First-year Fees Free has now ended.
First-year Fees Free covered the fees for the first year of provider-based study or first two years of work-based learning up to $12,000 for eligible learners enrolled in tertiary education from 2018 to 2024.
Learners had until 31 December 2025 to declare or appeal their eligibility for first-year Fees Free. First-year Fees Free has now ended, and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) is no longer able to make payments.
Who to contact
If you have any questions about first-year Fees Free, please contact your relationship manager or advisor, or the Customer Contact Team on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz.
Information about final-year Fees Free
First-year Fees Free was replaced by final-year Fees Free in 2025.
Find out more about final-year Fees Free including TEO reporting requirements and communications resources:
Learners can find out more about eligibility, entitlement, and the application process for final-year Fees Free on Inland Revenue’s website: