Funding eligibility is based on specific criteria being met

To be eligible for SIP funding polytechnics must be:

• at risk of non-viability, as determined by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), and
• delivering strategically important provision.

Strategically important provision

Provision is deemed "strategically important" if:

• it leads to a qualification or credential at Levels 3–7 (non-degree) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework; and
• it is related to a priority industry, as determined by the TEC; and
• the TEC determines that sufficient equivalent provision is not offered by another ITP in that region;

or:

• the provision is a foundation education (Levels 1–2) programme, Youth Guarantee provision, or a Trades Academy programme.

Polytechnics receive funding based on the proportion of their provision that is strategically important.