Category: Tertiary Education Commission

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 4 February 2025
Last updated 4 February 2025

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The Tertiary Education Commission is extending the implementation date for Significant Plan Amendments (SPA) and Replacement Plans (RP) criteria – to 1 January 2026.
The Tertiary Education Commission is extending the implementation date for Significant Plan Amendments (SPA) and Replacement Plans (RP) criteria – to 1 January 2026.

We appreciate the feedback on the proposed criteria for SPAs and RPs that providers and peak bodies gave us at the end of last year. 
We initially intended to publish the criteria (via a Gazette notice) by the first quarter of this year. We are making progress on revising the criteria, but we want to make sure we get the settings right. So, we have extended the implementation date. We will engage with peak bodies on the revised SPA and RP criteria in May. 
At this stage, there are no set criteria. If you are a provider, you still need to follow the guidance for SPAs and RPs: Changing your Plan. 
If you are considering changes, then, as a first step, you will need to contact your Relationship Manager (RMI) or our Customer Contact Group.
If you have any questions, please contact 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz using the subject line: [Edumis #] Significant Plan Amendment / Replacement Plan.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

What is the SDR?
The SDR is an electronic database of learner enrolment and completion information required by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
The data is used for:

monitoring performance against your Investment Plan 
funding and fund recovery 
publishing performance information
statistical reporting.

Note: Services for Tertiary Education Organisations (STEO) will be replaced by DXP Ngā Kete in early 2025. For more information go to Data System Refresh (DSR) programme.
Who needs to complete an SDR?
All tertiary education organisations (TEOs) need to complete an SDR three times a year if they:

receive Delivery at Levels 1–10 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework, including Youth Guarantee (YG), and/or
have students with student loans or allowances.

Completing an SDR is a condition of funding, and it’s important that you do so accurately and on time. Late or incomplete submissions can result in delays to your scheduled payments. (See Single Data Return submission dates.)
Accessing the SDR
You can access the SDR through the TEC Data Exchange Platform (DXP).
You are able to log in through MoE’s Education Sector Logon (ESL) service.
To find out how to set up access, please contact MoE on 0800 422 599 or service.desk@education.govt.nz. 
Information to submit
You’ll find comprehensive guidance in the:

Here is some important information to include:
Details about each of your enrolled students
If you receive Delivery at Levels 1–10 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework or YG funding, you need to provide information about each of your enrolled students, regardless of the level of study or the type of funding. For more details, see the introduction to the 2023 SDR Manual
Workforce questionnaire (WFQ) – before you submit your December SDR
Before you submit your December SDR, upload your WFQ to the TEC DXP. We won’t accept your December SDR without a processed WFQ.
Up-to-date delivery site information
Please check that your delivery site information in the STEO application is up to date. (For information on how to complete your SDR, including delivery sites, see the STEO user guide.) We rely on this information to analyse regional funding and provision. If you need to submit a delivery site update request, please do so early so we can process it in time for your final SDR submission.
Forecasts
If you are delivering qualifications eligible for TEC funding at Level 3 and above, with a source of funding code of 01, 29, 11 or 37, you need to provide an equivalent full-time student (EFTS) forecast with each round. The forecast should not include TEC-funded provision for Levels 1 and 2 or Youth Guarantee.
Correct funding codes
Before submitting your SDR, please check that you have used the correct funding codes. (These are in the 2023 SDR Manual). If you use the wrong codes, you may need to resubmit your SDR. If you have any questions about the codes, please refer to the SDR Manual or contact us at 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz.
New course/qualification requests
You can change the credits, fees, levels or classifications of your courses and qualifications at any time. You don’t need to wait until just before your SDR is due. But it’s important to submit the change request through the STEO application before you submit a trial SDR.
If you want to make multiple changes to courses (as a result of changing the disaggregation approach for a qualification), you need to do this before the courses start each year. We don’t approve in-year change requests resulting from substantial disaggregation for the current year.
Completing a trial SDR
So you have time to correct any errors in your data, it’s important to complete a trial SDR before submitting your final SDR. For help completing a SDR, please refer to the STEO user guide.
Importance of data accuracy and timeliness
We use data from every SDR to plan our ongoing investment in tertiary education. If you submit your data late or with errors, or resubmit it with changes, this can have flow-on effects for us and for other TEOs.
To manage this, we don’t accept resubmissions of August or December SDRs unless we have approved the resubmission (which we will do only in exceptional circumstances).
We will accept resubmissions of the April SDR during a set period (which we will let you know about each year) to allow you to review your educational performance indicator (EPI) data. Outside this set period, we will only accept resubmissions of the April SDR in exceptional circumstances. We may ask you to consider making any corrections in later SDR submissions in the next SDR round.
We will treat all resubmissions outside published timeframes as late.
What are “exceptional circumstances”?
“Exceptional circumstances” are those that are genuinely unforeseeable and that you could not have proactively managed.
We are unlikely to consider the following circumstances to be exceptional:

Data issues identified during or after the sale and purchase of a TEO. If you are purchasing a TEO, you need to be confident that its historical SDR data is accurate.
Student Management System (SMS) software errors. Submit trial SDRs early to identify and address any issues well in advance of the final submission deadline.
A change of SMS, resulting in errors. If you are changing your SMS, you need to be confident you can do this without risking errors.
Errors made by a staff member that were only identified at a later stage. You are responsible for ensuring that your staff submit accurate data. 
Not checking your organisation’s EPI data from the April SDR in time. You are responsible for reading and responding to our announcements about when data is available for you to review.

Late or inaccurate data
If you don’t provide a timely and accurate SDR, your current or future funding may be affected.
If you continue to submit inaccurate, incomplete or late data, we may introduce an extra monitoring process. For example, you could be asked to use an external auditor to confirm that your data is valid and accurate before you submit each SDR.
Our Stop Gate process
Our Stop Gate helps us manage late submissions and resubmissions of a full set of files. This means you need to submit a full set of SDR files by the due date for each round.
We will decide whether or not to approve a submission outside of the SDR round on a case-by-case basis. You can also resubmit your data if we find an error after submission, with our permission.
The process is as follows:

Contact us on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz as soon as possible.
We will then send you an SDR late/resubmission request (Stop Gate request) form to complete and submit.
Once your SDR submission has the status of “Processed” (with zero errors) please send the completed form to customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject line [EDUMIS #] – SDR Stop Gate Request.
Your request will be forwarded to the Customer Contact Group Manager to consider for approval.
If we approve your request, we will advise you of the due date and lift the Stop Gate, allowing you to submit your processed (with zero errors) SDR.
If we decline your request, we will advise you of the reason for that decision.

This does not affect the SDR validation, processing and submission process. You can still submit course register, course and qualification completion files at any time, and we encourage you to do so, particularly after the December round so we can confirm your EPIs as early as possible. 
Notes:
This does not affect the SDR validation, processing and submission process. You can still submit course register, course and qualification completion files at any time, and we encourage you to do so, particularly after the December round so we can confirm your EPIs as early as possible. 
Any amendment to a previously submitted SDR may have an impact on future funding and performance monitoring.
If the data from an SDR has been published in a report (such as statistical reporting), the published data can no longer be altered.
Resources to help you submit your SDR

For help with the submissions process, see the STEO user guide.
For a helpful guide to SDR, see the 2023 SDR Manual.
For general assistance, guidance with validation errors and help with course, qualification and delivery site approvals, contact us on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject [EDUMIS #] Dec SDR enquiry.
For help with your Education Sector Login (ESL), contact the Education Service Desk on 0800 422 599 or desk@education.govt.nz.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 24 January 2025
Last updated 24 January 2025

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Investigations are a key part of monitoring the performance and compliance of the tertiary education sector.
Investigations are a key part of monitoring the performance and compliance of the tertiary education sector.

The Tertiary Education Commission (the TEC) has a range of powers, under the Education and Training Act 2020 and funding conditions, to conduct investigations ensuring the Government’s investment in tertiary education is used properly.
We begin an investigation of a tertiary education organisation (TEO) if we are concerned about practices or behaviours which may put student interests or government funding at risk.
TEO investigation guidelines
Our monitoring system is designed to ensure both the burden on TEOs and the level of TEC effort is proportionate to the level of risk. This means investigations vary in size and complexity depending on our concerns, the size of the TEO, and a range of other factors.
All monitoring activities (including investigations) are undertaken in accordance with our monitoring principles, which are included in the investigation guidelines below. These also include guidance on how we undertake investigations, the processes we follow, and how we deal with information supplied by TEOs under investigation.
The Tertiary Education Commission investigation guidelines – 2020 (PDF 788 KB) 
Outcomes of investigations
We generally publish investigation outcomes as part of a transparent, consistent approach to monitoring. This helps provide assurance that public funds are being well managed. Publication of investigation findings is also a key way we share learnings from monitoring activities with the sector, and helps other TEOs improve their performance and compliance.
The TEC has the discretion to not publish an investigation report or outcomes. Any such decision is made with reference to the provisions of the Official Information Act. For example, where there are no material findings, or issues identified are only minor, publishing the fact of an investigation may reduce public confidence in a TEO at a level disproportionate to the issues investigated. In such cases, the TEC would seek to share any valuable learnings from the investigation with the sector in another way, including through regular monitoring updates.
When investigation reports or outcomes are finalised and able to be made public, they are published below.

There were no investigations published in 2024.

Active Institute

Competenz

Tai Poutini Polytechnic 

BEST Pacific Institute of Education

Reviews
From 2014-2017, the TEC also conducted ‘reviews’ of smaller or less complex issues at TEOs. The TEC has updated its approach, and only conducts audits and investigations of TEOs. Historic reviews are now considered investigations.

Quantum Education Group

EnterpriseMIT

College of Natural Health and Homeopathy 

Reviews
From 2014-2017, the TEC also conducted ‘reviews’ of smaller or less complex issues at TEOs. The TEC has updated its approach, and only conducts audits and investigations of TEOs. Historic reviews are now considered investigations.

Lincoln University’s Telford Division

New Zealand School of Outdoor Studies

Reviews
From 2014-2017, the TEC also conducted ‘reviews’ of smaller or less complex issues at TEOs. The TEC has updated its approach, and only conducts audits and investigations of TEOs. Historic reviews are now considered investigations.

Manaakitanga Aotearoa Charitable Trust

Agribusiness Training Ltd 

Tectra Limited

Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre

Te Whare Wanānga o Awanuiārangi

Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT)

From 2014-2017, the TEC also conducted ‘reviews’ of smaller or less complex issues at TEOs. The TEC has updated its approach, and only conducts audits and investigations of TEOs. Historic reviews are now considered investigations.
The six reviews below focused on TEOs that offered programmes with similar features to those found in two previous investigations at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi and WITT. We undertook the reviews to determine whether the issues found in the two investigations were prevalent across the sector. This was found not to be the case.

*Note: The TEC accepted the findings from an independent report commissioned by Service IQ.

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Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Only qualifications and programmes at Levels 3 and above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) are eligible. Eligible qualifications and programmes must be recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) or Universities New Zealand and funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) from:

the Delivery at Levels 3–7 (non-degree) on the NZQCF and all industry training Fund (DQ3-7), or
the Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the NZQCF Fund (DQ7-10), or
grants under section 556 of the Education and Training Act 2020 for tertiary provision towards a qualification on the NZQCF at Levels 3 or above.

Provider-based qualifications
Eligible provider-based qualifications are TEC-funded and are equal to or greater than 0.5 equivalent full-time students (EFTS).
Work-based programmes
Eligible work-based programmes are TEC-funded programmes comprising at least 120 credits.
Qualifications and programmes that are not eligible for final-year Fees Free
The following are not eligible for final-year Fees Free:

School learning programmes and secondary tertiary programmes
Certificates of proficiency
Pathway qualifications
Zero fee programmes
Programmes where fees are met under another funding arrangement, such as the Youth Guarantee (YG) Fund, Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT), or the Refugee English Fund
Qualifications and programmes at Levels 1 or 2 on the NZQCF
Provider-based qualifications that are less than 0.5 EFTS, or work-based programmes that are less than 120 credits.

Pathway qualifications
Pathway qualifications are qualifications that prepare learners to progress into further study and training by supporting them to meet minimum entry requirements and/or develop the required skills for higher study. For the purposes of final-year Fees Free:

This includes bridging qualifications, Certificates of University Preparation, Certificates in Study and Employment Pathways, and Level 3 Study and Career Preparation (except when primarily intended for career preparation).
This does not include qualifications that are used for staircasing, or programmes that comprise part of, or are cross-credited towards a higher qualification.

Any qualification confirmed as a pathway qualification will be excluded for all learners. The exclusion is not able to take into account individual learner intentions.
You can view the list of pathway qualifications that are excluded from Fees Free:
Pathway qualifications (XLSX 15 KB)
To request to add or remove a qualification from the list of pathway qualifications excluded from Fees Free, contact customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject: (EDUMIS number) Final-year Fees Free – pathway qualifications. Please briefly outline how the qualification you wish to add/remove from the list does/doesn’t meet the definition of a pathway qualification.
Qualification completion date
The date the learner completes their eligible provider-based qualification or work-based programme is defined as the date the requirements have been met by the learner to be awarded the qualification. This should align with what is recorded on the learner’s New Zealand Record of Achievement.
For provider-based study, TEOs will be required to submit the qualification completion date as part of their SDR submission from August 2025.
TEOs already report work-based programme completion dates to NZQA, which NZQA provide to TEC.
Qualification and programme eligibility FAQs
Why must provider-based qualifications comprise at least 0.5 EFTS and work-based programmes at least 120 credits to be eligible?
Setting a minimum threshold mitigates the risk of learners using their Fees Free entitlement on small pieces of study or training. For example, a learner will not be able to inadvertently consume their entitlement on a very short programme of 0.2 EFTS.
Setting the eligibility criteria for provider-based qualifications at 0.5 EFTS or greater means that the large number of learners who complete qualifications at this level, and don’t go on to do further study or training, can access final-year Fees Free.
A work-based programme minimum of 120 credits gives assurance that the training programme has career benefit to the learner. It reduces the risk that learners will use up their Fees Free entitlement on short training programmes directed by (and often entirely paid for by) their employers, or that employers will shift training costs onto learners.
Why aren’t Level 1 and 2 qualifications covered by Fees Free?
The Fees Free policy aligns eligibility with student support and government tuition subsidies.
Foundation programmes and qualifications (at NZQCF Levels 1 and 2) are excluded because provider-based Level 1 and 2 study is already fees-free, and learners shouldn’t have to use their Fees Free entitlement on courses and programmes intended to prepare them for tertiary education at Levels 3 and above.
Why do programmes and courses have to be recognised and funded to be available for Fees Free?
Fees Free was designed to help New Zealanders access high-quality tertiary education that provides skills for life and work. When a course or programme is both recognised by the NZQA or Universities New Zealand, and funded by the TEC, it means the course is of a high educational standard.
Are private training establishment (PTE) courses covered by Fees Free?
Yes, as long as the provider-based qualification or work-based programme meets the eligibility criteria.
What happens if a learner is enrolled in two qualifications at the same time?
For provider-based study, a learner enrolled in two qualifications at the same time will only receive Fees Free on completion of their first qualification. This applies, for example, when a learner is enrolled in a concurrent degree, or is studying towards two qualifications simultaneously. We’ll use the qualification completion date reported by TEOs to determine the first completed qualification.
For work-based learning, eligibility is based on the learner’s first programme completion (apprenticeship or training programme) rather than the qualifications that make up that programme, many of which will be under the 120-credit minimum.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 29 September 2023
Last updated 29 September 2023

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We collate the annual audited data on the financial performance of all public tertiary education institutions (TEIs) for comparative purposes.
We collate the annual audited data on the financial performance of all public tertiary education institutions (TEIs) for comparative purposes.

The collated data brings together the information contained in TEIs’ published annual reports which are based on financial results the institutions have provided to us in a standard reporting template.
Unless indicated otherwise, the figures are presented at a TEIs’ consolidated group level and reflect the most recent submission of information.
This information will allow TEIs to compare their performance to other tertiary institutions. This can also be done via our tertiary education performance reports or by examining individual financial performance in greater detail.
The spreadsheet below outlines the individual financial performance of each TEI for each year since 2004.
Tertiary education institution financial performance by year (XLSX 3.9 MB) 

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Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 16 January 2025
Last updated 16 January 2025

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Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Lincoln University and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi share how they are building learner success into the culture and operations of their organisations.
Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Lincoln University and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi share how they are building learner success into the culture and operations of their organisations.

The three organisations presented their approaches to building a culture of learner success at the Community of Practice session on 30 November 2024. People, culture and leadership is a key capability that a tertiary education provider needs to get right to enable learners to succeed.
We are pleased to share recordings of their presentations.
AUT – Felicity Reid, Joanna Scarbrough and Katy Thomas talk about creating the right environment for change across Ki Uta Ki Tai (their Learner Success Plan) and other strategic change projects. In their presentation they discuss the formation of cross-functional teams and working groups, along with creating processes to enhance interconnected decision-making and prioritisation, storytelling, data and insights.
Lincoln University – Tracy-Anne De Silva discusses their Manaaki Tauira Course Enhancements Programme. Their presentation focuses on engaging staff in the development of the programme, which they applied to several of their qualifications. The programme supports their learner success work and contributes to their culture of continuous improvement.
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi – Kuao Wawatai (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui) talks about closing the leaks in the tauira learning pipeline. The presentation focuses on the ecological approach the wānanga takes to learning and how everyone who works at the organisation contributes to tauira success. Kuao shares how they use data and tauira voice to build understanding of the importance of putting tauira at the heart of their organisation.
Watch the presentations at Learner Success Community of Practice.
Learner Success Community of Practice sessions
The Tertiary Education Commission hosts online Community of Practice sessions in partnership with the tertiary sector. The aim is to connect tertiary education organisations to share knowledge, collaborate, and promote individual, group and organisational development to improve the success of their learners.
To find out about upcoming sessions, please contact 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject line [EDUMIS # Learner Success Community of Practice].
To view recordings of previous sessions, visit Learner Success Community of Practice.
Download the Ōritetanga Learner Success approaches: 7 key areas of capability diagram (PDF 335 KB). 

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 20 October 2022
Last updated 20 October 2022

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This page provides a number of resources to help tertiary education institution (TEI) councils fulfil their responsibilities and govern their institutions well.
This page provides a number of resources to help tertiary education institution (TEI) councils fulfil their responsibilities and govern their institutions well.

Have a question?
For enquiries about TEI governance, including registering your interest to be a council member, please contact the TEC.
Email: governance@tec.govt.nz

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 11 December 2024
Last updated 11 December 2024

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The 2025 Delivery Classification Guide has now been published by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
The 2025 Delivery Classification Guide has now been published by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).

2025 Delivery Classification Guide
The Delivery Classification Guide (DCG) helps providers to accurately assign a delivery classification and funding category to each course, micro-credential or programme of study they deliver, as required under the funding conditions.  
The 2025 DCG applies to the funding period from 1 January 2025.  
The DCG is reviewed and updated annually. For 2025, we have added guidance on how to use the document for each applicable fund, and made some minor changes to the classifications. 
For a detailed list of the changes made to the DCG for 2025, see 2025 Delivery Classification Guide changes.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Apprenticeship Boost payments are available through the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
Payments are made directly to employers to incentivise them to take on new apprentices. From 1 January 2025, employers can receive up to 12 months of support per eligible apprentice. Payments are currently $500 per month (excluding GST).
The employer must continue to pay their apprentice at least the minimum or relevant training wage.
More information, including how employers can apply for Apprenticeship Boost, is available from Work and Income:
Apprenticeship Boost – Work and Income
Background
Apprenticeship Boost was first introduced in August 2020 as part of the Government’s wider Apprenticeship Support Programme – a cross-agency response to help support apprentices and employers to manage the impacts of COVID-19. The Government has provided ongoing funding through Budget 2024, with some changes to eligibility and payments.  
Apprentice eligibility from 1 January 2025
To be eligible for Apprenticeship Boost, an apprentice must:

be enrolled and engaged in a Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)-approved and funded New Zealand Apprenticeship or Managed Apprenticeship
be actively training in a targeted occupation through a tertiary education organisation (TEO), and
have completed no more than 12 months in a TEC-approved apprenticeship that is the “same or similar” to a programme they may have done in the past.  

Apprentices must be employed in the occupation for which they are in training. They must be an employee (ie, not a self-employed contractor or sole trader).
Approved and funded New Zealand Apprenticeships and Managed Apprenticeships
Apprentices need to be enrolled in a TEC-approved and funded New Zealand Apprenticeship or Managed Apprenticeship programme to be eligible. More information about New Zealand Apprenticeships is available at:
New Zealand apprenticeships
New Zealand Apprenticeships and Managed Apprenticeships both involve training consisting of 120 credits or more, leading to a qualification at Level 4 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework. Apprenticeship programmes are approved and funded by the TEC. Enrolments in these programmes are specifically reported as apprenticeship enrolments to the TEC.
Apprentices’ training is governed by a tripartite training agreement signed by the apprentice, the employer and the relevant TEO.
Apprentices must be actively training in a targeted occupation
Targeted occupations for Apprenticeship Boost are defined through New Zealand Standard Classification of Education (NZSCED) code of the qualification that an apprentice is training towards. They are:

NZSCED code
Field of study

0403
Building

0501
Agriculture

0503
Horticulture and Viticulture

0505
Forestry Studies

0301
Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology

0303
Process and Resources Engineering

0305
Automotive Engineering and Technology

0313
Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology

0315
Aerospace Engineering and Technology

0317
Maritime Engineering and Technology

0399
Other Engineering and Technology

0905
Human Welfare Studies and Services

1101
Food and Hospitality

More information about NZSCED codes is available at NZSCED Narrow Fields of Study – Education Counts.
To ensure that targeted occupations remain relevant, the Ministry of Education will review them every two years and report to Cabinet ministers. The next review is scheduled for July 2027.
Apprentices must be in their first year of training
As of 1 January 2025, only apprentices in their first year of training are eligible for Apprenticeship Boost.
Employers may receive up to 12 monthly payments for an eligible apprentice in a TEC-approved apprenticeship that is the “same or similar” to a programme they may have done in the past.
Apprenticeship programmes are the “same or similar” if they create transferable technical skills relevant to a particular occupation. If an apprentice has been previously enrolled in any other TEC-approved apprenticeship with “same or similar” content, this will be counted towards the number of months of training the apprentice has completed. The number of months enrolled in a “same or similar” programme will be subtracted from the maximum 12 months of possible payments.
Some new apprentices may be ineligible because they have completed training in a “same or similar” programme with a previous employer. This requirement cannot be waived regardless of the circumstances.
Transition to new requirements
There are some changes to eligibility and payments as of 1 January 2025.
Previously, payments were available for a maximum of 24 months per apprentice. This is now 12 months.
Previously, apprentices in all occupations were eligible. This is now limited to targeted occupations that are critical to New Zealand’s growth and sustainability.
Employers who are already receiving Apprenticeship Boost payments will keep getting these from MSD until 31 December 2024. That includes payments for apprentices who won’t be eligible after 1 January 2025.
Employers will continue to receive payments for apprentices from 1 January 2025 if:

the apprentice is training in a targeted occupation, and
they are in their first 12 months of training.

MSD will automatically check the eligibility of employers who are currently receiving payments. Employers of eligible apprentices will continue to receive payments as normal and don’t need to reapply, but will need to continue to reconfirm each month with MSD to get the monthly payment.  
Agency roles and who to contact
MSD’s role
MSD manages the applications for Apprenticeship Boost and is responsible for payments. It receives employers’ applications, processes them and makes the payments. Applications can be made through MSD’s web page Apprenticeship Boost – Work and Income.  
MSD is the best point of contact for employers.
TEC’s role
TEC supports MSD by verifying information. We check an employer’s details, and confirm the number of months of training the apprentice has completed and if the training is in a targeted occupation. A data file is transferred from MSD to TEC for verification each day. When all details match between the MSD application and TEC’s data for an apprentice, the data is verified and the payment process can start.
TEC is the best point of contact for TEOs, and for issues with data submitted for an apprentice.

FAQs for TEOs delivering apprenticeships  
What is the role of TEOs in Apprenticeship Boost?
There are a few things you can do that will help the process run smoothly:

Make sure all the data for apprenticeships that you provide to TEC is up to date and accurate so we can match it with the data that employers submit to MSD.
Check the Apprenticeship Boost Unmatched submission app on Qlik for a list of your apprentices where the Apprenticeship Boost employer name does not match the data you have submitted for that apprentice.  

As part of TEC’s Data System Refresh (DSR) Programme, this app will be replaced with a new Power BI report in mid-2025 (date to be confirmed). The data in the app will be current up to 25 December 2024, but no data will be added to it after this date. For queries that need 2025 data, please contact customerservice@tec.govt.nz.
Please continue to refer to the app for information submitted up to 25 December 2024, and work with the employer to ensure you are submitting the same employer name to TEC and MSD. 

Process new enrolments for apprenticeships as promptly as possible.
Help out where you can with enquiries from employers whose applications haven’t been successfully processed because the data they have submitted doesn’t match the data in TEC’s system.

Where should I direct further questions from employers about Apprenticeship Boost?
MSD is leading the Apprenticeship Boost programme and is the best contact point for employers.
What are the privacy statement requirements since data is being shared with MSD?  
Employers will need to get their apprentices to sign a consent form as part of the application process. This will cover the privacy arrangements and enable TEC and MSD to share information. Make sure the consent form used is the original form from the Work and Income website – do not use a copy or altered version.
How will Apprenticeship Boost affect other TEC funding paid to TEOs for apprenticeships?
Apprenticeship Boost won’t affect any funding that you currently receive from TEC. Apprenticeship Boost payments will be made directly by MSD to employers.
Apprenticeship data
Good data helps applications be approved more quickly
Apprenticeship Boost relies on good data provided to MSD by the employer and submitted to TEC by TEOs. Often, the data is different and this slows down payments to employers. Key data includes:

Apprentice name and date of birth: Make sure you give the apprentice’s legal name, and encourage employers to do the same in MSD applications. We often see abbreviated names that don’t match, or mismatched dates of birth. These mismatches result in failed verification.
Employer name: The employer name must also match in the MSD application and TEC data. The MSD application records the legal name of the entity verified by the Inland Revenue Department and the trading name. A training agreement should record the legal name (which can be checked against the Companies Office). Please do not include branch names in this field.

If I deliver Managed Apprenticeships, will I have to send data to TEC more frequently?
A Managed Apprenticeship template will be provisioned monthly on DXP Ngā Kete for TEOs that have been approved by TEC to deliver Managed Apprenticeships. This needs to be completed fully and accurately and submitted on time each month. Giving the employer’s correct name is critical to the data matching and the employer being paid as quickly as possible.
For TEOs that submit data via the Single Data Return (SDR), the data you submit in your course enrolment file should match the data you submit in your monthly Managed Apprenticeships template.
We are aware there will be timing issues as the Managed Apprenticeships template in DXP Ngā Kete is submitted monthly while the SDR files are submitted three times a year. However, we expect that your course enrolment file in the SDR will reflect apprenticeships submitted via Managed Apprenticeships templates in DXP Ngā Kete for the prior months.
How is the payment start date calculated for employers?
If the employer completed their application to MSD within 20 working days of creating their account with MSD, the payment start date will be the day they created their account. If the employer completed their application more than 20 working days after they created their account with MSD, the payment start date will be the day they completed their application.
If an apprentice’s training is on hold, is their employer still entitled to the Apprenticeship Boost assistance?
No. TEC will advise MSD when an apprentice’s enrolment is on hold. Payments will not be made when we have reported an apprentice as on hold.  
Does an apprentice’s previous study or training impact their eligibility?
It may do.
If an apprentice has been enrolled in a same or similar apprenticeship programme previously, this will be included in the calculation of their months of eligibility.
If the apprentice has previously been enrolled in other vocational training that is not an apprenticeship, this will not be included in the calculation of their months of eligibility.
How will MSD be informed about previous study or training?  
We will count every month where there is a record of an active apprenticeship   and share this with MSD. “Active” means the enrolment is not on hold, withdrawn or completed.

How will my privacy be protected?
Your employer will ask you to sign a consent form before sharing any information with MSD. This form clearly outlines what information will be shared between MSD and TEC to help determine if you are eligible for Apprenticeship Boost. The information will be shared securely.
What should I do if I change employers?
Please let your TEO know about any changes in employment status as soon as this occurs.
What should I do if I put my training on hold?
Please get your employer to notify MSD if you put your training on hold. You should also let your TEO know.
What should I do if I no longer want to do my apprenticeship?
Please get your employer to notify MSD if you withdraw from your training. You should also let your TEO know.
Will I receive Apprenticeship Boost payments?
No. Apprenticeship Boost payments will be paid to your employer.  
What should I do if I’m concerned about wages I receive from my employer?
The wages you receive are part of your agreement with your employer. If your employer is doing something that you think would make them ineligible for Apprenticeship Boost payments, please let MSD know by calling 0800 673 227 or emailing Apprenticeship_Boost@msd.govt.nz.
Assistance payments will be made to your employer, who must continue to pay you the relevant minimum or training wage. If you think you are not being paid the minimum wage or training wage, this may be a breach of employment law. Contact Employment New Zealand to lodge a complaint with the Labour Inspectorate.  
Who/where should I send my questions to?
Please send your questions to customerservice@tec.govt.nz.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 26 November 2024
Last updated 26 November 2024

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The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) invited feedback on the refreshed Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance (formerly the Performance Consequences Framework). Consultation closed on 15 November 2024.
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) invited feedback on the refreshed Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance (formerly the Performance Consequences Framework). Consultation closed on 15 November 2024.

We appreciate the feedback we have received and will publish a final Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance so our approaches are transparent.

We have refreshed and renamed the Performance Consequences Framework to reflect current context and policies. The Response Framework contains no new information; it describes our existing approaches for managing educational delivery and performance where they need to improve. We set out expectations of delivery and performance in a range of documents including Plan Guidance, funding conditions and technical information. 
We work closely with funded providers to understand the drivers for performance, and support and guide them to improve outcomes. Our first response is engagement; we only use other responses if necessary. Most providers will not need responses beyond BAU engagement because they already have good outcomes.
The Response Framework describes our options for managing educational performance and delivery, in three parts:

a set of principles that underpin all our decisions about responses, to help make it clear why we make these decisions
a range of responses we can take in relation to performance that needs to improve
sets of indicators, mitigations and contextual factors we consider when making decisions about responses. 

Response Framework for Educational Delivery and Performance (PDF 202 KB)
We asked for feedback on components of the framework
To support our shared understanding between tertiary providers and TEC, we asked for your feedback on three questions:
1. Are the components of the framework clear (and how could we make them clearer)? That is, do you understand:
a. what could indicate that delivery or performance needs to improveb. what mitigations and contextual factors can be considered in making a response decisionc. the range of responses availabled. the principles underpinning TEC’s decision-making about consequencese. when the framework applies and how it is used in conjunction with other frameworks (ie, which framework covers what types of decisions)?
2. Is anything missing from the framework (eg, other potential mitigations)?
3. Are the actions the TEC will take in responding clear? If not, how can we make this clearer?