Check if study or work-based learning you did before 1 January 2025 for your current or previous qualifications or programmes stop you from getting Fees Free.
Not eligible for Fees Free for current study or work-based learning
You generally cannot get Fees Free if you have done any study or work-based learning that was:
- at level 3 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)
- the equivalent study or work-based learning completed overseas.
This applies if the study or work-based learning was more than:
- half a year of full-time study, or part-time study if it would add up to more than half a year full-time (half a year of full-time study is usually 0.5 EFTS)
- 60 credits of work-based learning.
This also includes study or work-based learning where you:
- did not pay fees
- did it as part of workplace training or an apprenticeship
- did not finish
- failed
- withdrew after the refund timeframe
- paid the fees yourself, including by student loan or a scholarship.
When previous study and work-based learning is allowed
There are situations where previous study and work-based learning won't stop you from getting Fees Free, if your study or work-based learning was:
- started in 2024 or earlier but you have done less than half a year full-time study or 60 credits of work-based learning before 1 January 2025
- any tertiary education while enrolled in secondary school
- made up of credits that you achieved after 1 January 2018 as part of a work-based programme - if it was less than 120 credits in total
- a course you studied after 1 January 2023 - if it had zero tuition fees and zero compulsory course costs
- any tertiary study or training that was funded through the Youth Guarantee, Māori and Pasifika Trades Training or Refugee English Funds.
Ben already has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history that he completed before 2025. He is now studying for a Master of Arts degree. He has done more than half a year of equivalent full-time study before 2025 (his Bachelor of Arts), so he cannot get Fees Free.
Kahu has a law degree that they completed in 2015, before Fees Free was introduced. Kahu has decided to change careers and will begin a diploma in social work next year. Even though Kahu has never had Fees Free, they still cannot get Fees Free for their diploma. This is because Kahu did more than half a year of equivalent full-time study before 2025 (their law degree).
Anu did the first year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2021, but did not use first-year Fees Free to pay for the study fees. Anu will complete a level 3 hairdresser certificate in December 2025. Even though Anu has never had Fees Free, they still cannot get Fees Free for their certificate. This is because Anu has done more than half a year of equivalent full-time study before 2025 (their Bachelor of Fine Arts).
Noa starts studying for a Diploma in Architecture in 2025. He has already completed some learning through the Māori and Pasifika Trades Training. This is allowed previous learning. Noa cannot get Fees Free for the Māori and Pasifika Trades Training, but can still get it for his Diploma.
Louis enrols in a Bachelor of Arts in 2025. In 2023, Louis completed the equivalent of a 30 credit Level 2 tertiary certificate in England. As it was completed before 1 January 2025, and is less than 60 credits, Louis can still get Fees Free when he completes the Bachelor of Arts.
In 2024, Keri was enrolled in high school and did a tertiary music course at the same time. She completed 80 credits of the music course in 2024, which is more than the allowed 60 credits (or 0.5 EFTS).
However, Keri was enrolled at high school while doing the music course, so she can get Fees Free for her next qualification.
What did you like about this page?
Please tell us how we could improve this page?
Thanks for sharing your opinion! Your feedback has been received.
Sorry there was an issue submitting your feedback, please try again later.