For the full requirements, see the MPTT funding conditions for the relevant year.

Funding mechanism

The responsible Minister(s) issue the MPTT funding mechanism.

The funding mechanism outlines the general form and essential components of the fund. It provides the mandate for the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to allocate the funding and what the funding can be used for, and details how we administer the fund.

Funding is agreed off-Plan via a funding confirmation letter.

A TEO that receives MPTT funding is required to:

• comply with the requirements of the Education and Training Act 2020, and
• comply with the funding conditions for the relevant year specified in its funding approval documentation.

The overall amount of MPTT funding available is set through the Government’s annual budget process. We determine the appropriate amount of MPTT funding for a TEO through an off-Plan assessment process.

Funding allocation and payments

Funding allocations, including any amendments, are available through the My Allocations and Payments app on Ngā Kete.

MPTT funding is paid in accordance with your funding confirmation documentation, which specifies the amount of funding payable for consortium activities and/or fees top-ups, and/or brokerage services (as applicable).

For the calculation of indicative allocations see the methodology from the relevant year. 

For more details regarding your specific allocation, please contact customerservice@tec.govt.nz or your Relationship Manager.

Fees top-ups and brokerage services (first 50%)

MPTT fees top-ups and brokerage services is paid in equal monthly instalments, except for the brokerage incentive success payment (second 50%).

Brokerage success (second 50%)

Brokerage success payments (second 50%) are made three times per year, based on the MPTT Actuals reports provisioned on DXP Ngā Kete.

For the TEO to receive the success payment:

• the learner must achieve the successful outcome within 18 months of leaving the MPTT programme, and
• the TEO must report the successful outcome through DXP Ngā Kete.

Both brokerage payments are made to the TEO that the learner first enrolled with.

Consortium activities funding

MPTT consortium activities funding is paid in equal monthly instalments.

Learner Support Funding

As of 30 June 2020, Learner Support Funding has replaced the MPTT Transitional Tools Grant. Learner Support Funding is allocated to each consortium. 

Learners have access to the support funding when they need it, as assessed by the consortium.

Consortia will receive the learner support funding via monthly instalments as part of their consortium funding.

We determine the amount of funding that each consortium receives by using the number of learners the consortium is funded for. Any unspent funding will be recovered.

Funding rates

For information on the MPTT funding rates, see Funding rates by year.

Interactions with Fees Free

If a learner enrols in MPTT, it will not count towards the use of a learner’s Fees Free entitlement even if they complete the qualification, and will not count as previous study even if they enrolled in more than 60 credits prior to 1 January 2025.

Learners will not be disadvantaged by enrolling in MPTT initiatives.

Learners must meet all other Fees Free eligibility criteria to qualify to receive Fees Free.

For more information on eligibility requirements, see Final-year Fees Free.

Funding wash-ups

For the calculation of funding wash-ups see the methodology and technical specifications from the relevant year.