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Money or support to train

Find information on the range of financial assistance to help you train.

See 5 types of financial support for training on this page

Fees Free Training

Tertiary Education Commission

Planning your vocational training? You may be able to get the first 24 months of your training Fees-Free.

Fees Free 2025

Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. From January 2025, a final-year Fees Free scheme will replace it. TEC are working through transition arrangements for first-year Fees Free learners as well as detailed policy design and implementation for the final-year Fees Free scheme. Once decisions are made, more information will be available on the Fees Free website.

What it's about

Learn about what Fees Free covers and check if you’re eligible to access it.

Who it's for

All learners across New Zealand who are starting their vocational training for the first time. Check if you’re eligible by visiting the Fees Free website.

What it offers

If you’re doing on-the-job training, Fees Free may cover fees for training and assessment for the first 24 months of any eligible work-based learning programme.

Visit the Fees Free website (external link)

Training Support Funding

Ministry of Social Development

Help to pay for training to get a job if you're disabled or have a health condition.

What it's about

Training Support funding can help you pay for extra costs relating to training if you have a disability or health condition. This is to help you get or stay in a job, including self-employment.

Training Support funding can cover:

  • equipment
  • New Zealand Sign Language and other interpreters
  • a Support person
  • transport

Who it's for

This is for people who:

  • have a health condition or disability that’s likely to last for more than 6 months
  • are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
  • aren't getting support from ACC or the Ministry of Health
  • normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here.

What it offers

This is for people who:

  • have a health condition or disability that’s likely to last for more than 6 months
  • need to pay for extra support to do training because of their health condition or disability, these should be costs a non-disabled person would not have if they do the same training
  • are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
  • aren't getting support from ACC or the Ministry of Health
  • normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here.
Visit the Work and Income website (external link)

Course Participation Assistance

Ministry of Social Development

Work and Income can help pay for a short-term course to help people develop the skills they need to get into work.

What it's about

Making sure people have the training and skills they need to get into work.

Who it's for

People who are getting a Work and Income benefit, are attending an approved course, and have to pay to attend the course or pay extra costs (eg. travel) because of the course.

What it offers

Up to $1,000 over 52 weeks- you can get more than one payment during this time, but the total can’t be more than $1,000.

Visit the Work and Income website (external link)

Support for Pacific people to access learning and work opportunities

Tupu Aotearoa — Ministry for Pacific Peoples

Tupu Aotearoa is a targeted programme to support Pacific people to gain tools and skills that enable them to thrive through employment, completing further training or study.

What it's about

Tupu Aotearoa is delivered by local providers to support you on your journey to employment, further training or study.

Local Tupu Aotearoa providers can help you with:

  • identifying appropriate upskilling and training courses
  • career advice and guidance
  • job search
  • support writing your CV and cover letter
  • preparing for interviews
  • obtaining a driver's licence
  • pastoral care and support post-placement.

Who it's for

Pacific people in Aotearoa who are:

  • aged 15 or over
  • New Zealand citizens
  • currently not in employment, education or training.

Locations of providers can be found on the Ministry for Pacific People’s website.

Visit the Ministry for Pacific Peoples website (external link)

Support for employers to train permanent Māori staff

Cadetships — Te Puni Kōkiri

Boost the future of your business while developing the leadership and career paths of promising Māori employees. Partner with Te Puni Kōkiri to grow Māori leaders.

What it's about

Te Puni Kōkiri Cadetships supports Māori to achieve their potential in the workplace, and contribute to thriving, innovative and resilient businesses. It works by providing funding for employers to design, develop and implement tailored training and development programmes for Māori staff (who can be newly employed, or existing staff members), that will improve their skills, employability and earnings, and provide opportunities for them to move into leadership roles. Ideally, Cadetships programmes encompass elements of tikanga to support cadets to increase their confidence and mana.

Who it's for

Large, medium, and small employers, in a range of industries are encouraged to partner with Te Puni Kōkiri to deliver Cadetships programmes. Cadetships are largely aimed at supporting Māori of all ages who are moving to the next stage of their career, into management roles or leadership positions. They can also support new employees to accelerate their skills-development and opportunities for progression.

What it offers

For employers
Te Puni Kōkiri Cadetships:

  • provides up to $10,000 per cadet for training and development
  • invests in the future of the business economy
  • encourages growth in a range of industries both national and regional
  • contributes to thriving, innovative and resilient businesses, while increasing diversity and links to Māori communities.

For cadets
Te Puni Kōkiri Cadetships:

  • provides cadets with an opportunity for progression into the next stage of their career
  • develops Māori leadership and career progression
  • provides employer-led pastoral care throughout
  • helps to improve well-being and thriving whānau.
Visit the Te Puni Kōkiri website (external link)

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