These funding determinations will come into effect from 1 January 2027. Changes arising from the determinations will be reflected in the 2027 Funding Conditions Catalogue, which will be published in November.  

General changes across funding determinations

Alongside the changes summarised below, funding determinations published for 2027 include minor editorial changes to improve accuracy and clarity.

Funding determinations and changes

Adult and Community Education (ACE)      

• Updated funding rates.
• Re-ordered paragraphs for consistency with other determinations.
• Reduced compliance requirements for reporting subcontracting.
• Clarified wording around requirements for subcontracting of programmes quality-assured by NZQA.
• Updated references to NZIST.

Delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the NZQCF

• Updated funding rates.
• Re-ordered paragraphs for consistency with other determinations.
• Extended temporary settings to allow previously funded delivery in Realm countries to be funded.
• Clarified the requirements for funding of programmes and micro-credentials containing a majority of health and safety or regulatory compliance content. This delivery may be considered for funding where TEC is satisfied that the health and safety or regulatory compliance content is embedded in occupational or technical learning that supports the development of transferable or industry-wide skills. TEC will publish guidance outlining how this will be determined. 
• Clarified wording around requirements for subcontracting of programmes quality-assured by NZQA.

Delivery at Levels 3 to 7 (non-degree) on the NZQCF and all industry training

• Updated funding rates for Mātauranga Māori and Te Reo Māori.
• Re-ordered paragraphs for consistency with other determinations.
• Extended temporary settings to allow previously funded delivery in Realm countries to be funded.
• Clarified the requirements for funding of programmes and micro-credentials containing a majority of health and safety or regulatory compliance content. This delivery may be considered for funding where TEC is satisfied that the health and safety or regulatory compliance content is embedded in occupational or technical learning that supports the development of transferable or industry-wide skills. TEC will publish guidance outlining how this will be determined. 
• Clarified that flexible funding does not apply to capped high-cost provision.
• Introduced a condition of funding that a TEO must be able to secure the necessary placements for all the learners that it enrols in qualifications that require a clinical placement or practicum, and must demonstrate this if requested by the TEC.
• Clarified wording around requirements for subcontracting of programmes quality-assured by NZQA.
• Set the Annual Maximum Fee Movement rate at 6 percent.
• Changed fee settings to allow a course that is not offered in one or more years to benefit from AMFM increases that would have applied.
• Allowed fees for courses that have previously been charged low or no fees to be set at the 75th percentile of similar courses.
• Clarified that the ‘assessment and verification’ mode of delivery can be used for micro-credentials.
• Removed classification “#43 Mathematics” as this classification cannot be used for sub-degree provision.

Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the NZQCF

• The Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the NZQCF funding determination is being finalised. We will update this page to summarise changes when the determination has been published.

English Language Teaching (ELT)

• Updated funding rates.
• Clarified wording around requirements for subcontracting of programmes quality-assured by NZQA.

Literacy and Numeracy Provision

• Updated funding rates.
• Extended the exception for learners with a disability that prevents them from being tested with the LNAAT to all L&N funds under this determination.
• Clarified wording around requirements for subcontracting of programmes quality-assured by NZQA.

Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) 

• Minor editorial changes to improve accuracy and clarity.

Performance-Based Research Fund 

• Clarified that there will be no more Quality Evaluation rounds for this fund.
• Removed references to Te Pūkenga.
• Updated External Research Income weightings to reflect the transition to the Tertiary Research Excellence Fund.

Tertiary Research Excellence Fund

• New funding determination – takes effect from 1 January 2029.

Youth Guarantee

• Updated funding rates.
• Clarified wording around requirements for subcontracting of programmes quality-assured by NZQA.