Fees Free

New to study in 2025?

If you’re new to tertiary studies in 2025, or you’ve previously done less than six months at tertiary level, you may qualify for final year fees-free study. The fees-free programme covers tuition fees, associated mandatory fees, and compulsory student services fees up to $12,000.

To get Fees Free for your final-year of study or training in 2025 you must:

complete a qualification or a programme that’s eligible for Fees Free, and
have paid your fees to your tertiary education organisation, including for the final year (this can be through Studylink)
meet the residency criteria at the time you complete, and
meet the prior study and training criteria, and
not have already used Fees Free.

You don't need to do anything to confirm your eligibility until you've finished your final year. However, if you would like to check if you meet the residency and prior study and training criteria before you complete your qualification or programme, you can read the eligibility criteria on the Fees Free website, https://www.ird.govt.nz/fees-free

You will be able to confirm your Fees Free eligibility and claim your entitlement in early 2026 through myIR. You cannot claim before 2026.

Find out more information at https://www.ird.govt.nz/fees-free.