The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study and training will finish at the end of 2024 and will be replaced with a final-year Fees Free scheme starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training.
In order to be eligible for Fees Free in 2025, you must:
- Complete a qualification in a programme that is eligible for Fees Free, and
- Meet the residency criteria, and
- Meet the prior study and training criteria, and
- Not have already used Fees Free
If you are eligible for the final-year Fees Free scheme you will need to arrange payment of your fees to the University and apply for reimbursement from the IRD on completion of your qualification. You may wish to apply for a student loan to cover the fees. Full details about StudyLink and other accepted payment methods can be found on the University's fees webpage:
For further information on eligibility criteria and final year Fees Free details, visit the Fees Free website:
Fees Free transition rules for 2024 starters
If you used Fees Free in 2024, you may be able to continue to use your remaining first-year Fees Free entitlement in 2025 if you:
- Are continuing study or training towards the same qualification in 2025 as you were in 2024, and
- Have Fees Free entitlement remaining
You will be able to access your entitlement until the end of 2025, or until you reach one EFTS or up to $12,000 (including GST), whichever occurs first.
If you have remaining entitlement, you will not be able to access first-year Fees Free in the future if you:
- Did not use Fees Free in 2024, or
- Used Fees Free in 2024 but are not continuing in the same programme of study in 2025
If you studied or trained in 2024 and met the eligibility criteria for Fees Free in 2024, you have 12 calendar months from the start date of your first course or programme to submit your statutory declaration to receive Fees Free for your 2024 study and continuation of the programme in 2025. If you do not declare your eligibility for your 2024 study and training within this time, Fees Free will not cover your study.
Check your eligibility for Fees Free in 2024 by entering your National Student Number (NSN) on the Fees Free website.