The Government has confirmed there will be no transitional arrangements when Fees Free ends on 31 December 2026. This means there will be no special rules for people already studying.
What this means if you're studying
You must complete your eligible qualification or programme on or before 31 December 2026 to apply for Fees Free. Eligibility is based on when you complete your qualification or programme, not when you enrolled.
If you complete your qualification or programme in 2027 or later, you will not be eligible for Fees Free, even if you started tertiary study for the first time in 2025 or 2026.
When you need to apply
If you complete an eligible qualification or programme in 2026, you can still apply for Fees Free within 12 months of completing it, if you meet all the eligibility requirements.
If you completed your qualification or programme in 2025 and have not applied yet, you need to apply by 31 December 2026.
Where to get help if you're not sure you qualify
You can check the Fees Free eligibility information on our website or send us a message in myIR.