Eligibility

For details of provider eligibility, programme eligibility and learner eligibility please see the funding conditions for the relevant year.

Any funding requests for ACE provision must demonstrate how it meets one of the programme priorities listed in the funding conditions for the relevant year, and how it addresses community learning needs.

ACE funding is not for provision broadly classed as hobby courses (eg, arts, crafts and music; gardening; personal fitness and recreation; and home maintenance).

Changes to programme eligibility from 2025

ACE must be delivered face-to-face (for example, not delivered online or via distance learning), unless you have received our prior written approval for another form of delivery due to exceptional circumstances. 

For information on applying for an exemption to deliver ACE programme, see Exemptions and exceptional circumstances.

Provider responsibilities

ACE providers are required to work with local iwi, local organisations, peak bodies, local industry, local employers and communities, including other ACE providers, to identify and meet community learning needs.

Each ACE provider must ensure that its funded ACE programme(s) will:

• address the needs of target learner groups,
• design and provide programmes that meet the programme eligibility requirements,
• target ACE provision in foundation skills to learners who have low or no formal qualifications, and
• target ACE provision in English Language Teaching (ELT) (formerly known as Specialised English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)) to learners with English language needs.

To view all requirements, please see the ACE in Communities funding conditions for the relevant year.