Category: Tertiary Education Commission

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 2 October 2024
Last updated 2 October 2024

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A maximum fee limit applies to some micro-credentials.
A maximum fee limit applies to some micro-credentials.

Fee regulation settings for micro-credentials are published in the funding mechanisms.
Funding mechanisms and delegations
From 1 January 2025, the maximum that you can charge for micro-credential fees is $64 (GST inclusive) per credit, if approved for Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) funding. This includes both new and existing micro-credentials.
This fee limit only applies to micro-credentials funded through the following funds:

Delivery at Levels 3 to 7 (non-degree) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) and all industry training (DQ3-7
Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the NZQCF (DQ7 -10).

Note: fees charged for industry training (i.e. programmes or micro credentials funded under DQ3-7 in the work-based modes of delivery are exempt from fee caps for micro-credentials.
It does not apply to micro-credentials delivered in work-based learning modes funded through DQ3-7, or micro-credentials that are part of an approved programme leading to a qualification on the NZQCF.
For micro-credentials that are part of an approved programme leading to a qualification on the NZQCF, AMFM rules apply. For more information about the AMFM, see Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM).
You may apply for an exception to the fee limit. You will need to provide evidence that the micro-credential is:

financially unsustainable to deliver, in terms of the cost of delivery and considering the total income the micro-credential would generate (including government funding and fees), and that there are no satisfactory alternatives to limit costs; and
supported by industry and/or employers to deliver the micro-credential and that it clearly meets industry and/or employer needs.

Applying for an exception to the fee limit
For information about how to apply, see:
Exception to the fee limit on micro-credentials – application template (DOCX 268 KB)
If you are seeking funding for your micro-credential and an exception to the fee limit, you will need to submit both an application for an exception to the fee limit and a TEO micro-credential application.
TEO micro-credentials – application template (DOCX 612 KB)
For more information on funding micro-credentials, see Micro-credentials funding and fees. 
Email your completed exception application and other relevant supporting information to our Customer Contact Group at customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject line [EDUMIS] – Micro-credential fee-limit exception application.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 12 September 2024
Last updated 12 September 2024

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The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) administers the first-year Fees Free Tertiary Education and Training (Fees Free) policy.
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) administers the first-year Fees Free Tertiary Education and Training (Fees Free) policy.

The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study and training will finish at the end of 2024 and be replaced with a final-year Fees Free scheme starting from January 2025 with the following parameters:

Learners entering their final year of study or training from 1 January 2025 and who have not received first-year Fees Free may be eligible for the new final-year Fees Free scheme.
Eligibility will include provider- and work-based study or training at Levels 3 and above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.
Repayment will be made after the learner completes their qualification, with refunds starting from 2026.

We are working through detailed policy design and implementation for the final-year Fees Free scheme. Once decisions are made, we will update tertiary education organisations via the TEC website and Fees Free Focus.

First-year Fees Free will continue to operate until 31 December 2025 under transition settings.
Find out more about the end of the first-year Fees Free scheme:
End of first-year Fees Free policy 
Information about first-year Fees Free
End of first-year Fees Free policy – the settings for the end of the first-year scheme and the transition rules for learners with remaining first-year entitlement
Payments and reporting – Fees Free – how we make payments and how you report to us
Eligibility criteria and what Fees Free covers – the Fees Free eligibility criteria, how to check learners’ eligibility, and what fees the policy covers
Fees Free interactions with other funds – how Fees Free interacts with the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF), Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) and Youth Guarantee (YG), as well as student loans, student allowance and scholarships
Statutory declarations – Fees Free – what to tell learners about finding out their eligibility
Learner marketing toolkit – Fees Free – material for tertiary education organisations, targeted at learners starting study or training in 2024
Carrying over Fees Free entitlement – how learners can use their Fees Free entitlement across years
Guidance – Fees Free – FAQs, information guides and other resources to help you understand Fees Free
Who to contact                                                                             
If you have any questions, please contact your Relationship Manager or Advisor, or the Customer Contact Group on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz.
For information on Fees Free for learners, see FeesFree.govt.nz. Learners can also call 0800 601 301 or email customerservice@tec.govt.nz.

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Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Learners who have already used Fees Free in their first year of study or training won’t be able to access Fees Free under the new final-year policy. However, from now until the end of 2025, first-year Fees Free will operate under ‘first-year transition rules’.
First-year Fees Free transition rules
Learners who used Fees Free in 2024 may be able to continue to use their remaining first-year Fees Free entitlement in 2025 if they:

are continuing in the same qualification in 2025, and
have Fees Free entitlement remaining.

They will be able to access their entitlement until the end of 2025, or until they reach their 24-month (for work-based learning), one EFTS (120 credits), or $12,000 cap, whichever occurs first.
Learners with remaining entitlement will not be able to access first-year Fees Free in the future if they:

did not use Fees Free in 2024, or
used Fees Free in 2024 but are not continuing in the same qualification in 2025.

Learners who still need to declare their eligibility for 2024
Learners who studied or trained in 2024 and met the criteria for first-year Fees Free can still declare their eligibility. They have 12 calendar months from the start date of their first course or programme to declare their eligibility to receive Fees Free for their 2024 study or training – and any continuation of the qualification into 2025 that falls within the learner’s remaining entitlement.
Provider-based courses that continue across years
First-year Fees Free will still cover the full course fees within the learner’s remaining entitlement where courses start in 2024 or earlier. Please report the fees for these learners as you normally would in your 2024 Fees Free All Enrolments and Costs templates.
For courses that start in 2025 and are covered under the transition rules, Fees Free will only cover the fees for the portion of the course that is delivered up to 31 December 2025. The learner will need to organise payment of fees if they are enrolled in a course that finishes after 2025.
Please report the EFTS and fees charged to the learner for the full course in your 2025 Fees Free All Enrolments and Costs returns. On validation of your submission, we will calculate the amount of fees covered by Fees Free, and communicate this to you via the Multiple Providers and Cap Limit report. You may invoice the learner for remaining fees not covered by Fees Free.
Work-based programmes that continue beyond 2025
Under the first-year transition rules, work-based learners enrolled in 2024 that continue with the same qualification into 2025 will have their fees for that programme covered only up to the end of 2025 (and within the learner’s remaining 24-month and $12,000 maximum entitlement).
For reporting, please state the fees incurred by the learner up to 31 December 2025 only. Where a fee period is reported to end after 31 December 2025, we will calculate the portion of the fees incurred up to 31 December 2025, and inform you of the reduced payment amount in your Remittance report. You may charge the learner for fees incurred after 31 December 2025.
Reporting in 2025
You will continue to receive Fees Free reporting templates in 2025 to collect fee information for learners that are covered under the first-year transition rules. We will confirm the allocation of Fees Free funding for these learners via usual reporting.
The Fees Free eligibility file for 2025 will include all learners that meet the criteria for receiving remaining first-year entitlement in 2025, if they are continuing in the same qualification.
Course or programme enrolments that are not covered under the transition rules do not need to be reported in your Fees Free returns and may be charged fees.
2025 Fees Free indicative allocations
All tertiary education organisations will receive a zero-dollar Fees Free indicative allocation for 2025. We’ll then monitor your reported delivery for learners entitled to Fees Free under the first-year transition rules. Monthly payments will be made to you in 2025 on behalf of these learners, as required.
Keep up to date
We will update tertiary education organisations on any reporting and process changes via the TEC website and Fees Free Focus.
Sign up to the Fees Free Focus newsletter for policy, process, and reporting updates
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to change anything in my Fees Free reports for 2024 enrolments?
Please continue to fill in your 2024 Fees Free returns as usual. We will continue to allocate funding for eligible learners who enrol in 2024 under the first-year Fees Free policy. Where a provider-based course starts in 2024 and finishes in 2025 we’ll cover the full fees (within the learners remaining entitlement), so you should still report the full fees and EFTS for enrolments in your returns.
How do I report learners who are covered by the first-year Fees Free transition rules?
You’ll continue to receive monthly Fees Free reporting templates in 2025, for collecting fee information for learners covered by the first-year transition rules. You should report the 2025 enrolments for these learners as you normally would, and we’ll calculate the payment we need to make to you on behalf of the learners. You’ll receive confirmation of these allocations via the usual Work-based Remittance or Multiple Providers and Cap Limit reports.
How will I know which learners are covered by the first-year Fees Free transition rules?
We’ll provide you with a list of your learners who used Fees Free in 2024 and have remaining entitlement in the 2025 Fees Free eligibility file, which will be published on DXP Ngā Kete.
You only need to report learners who are on this list. We’ll update the list each month.
Some TEOs find it easier to include all learners who are enrolled with them in their Fees Free returns. If you prefer to do this, that’s okay too. During validation we’ll exclude learners who are not entitled to Fees Free under the transition rules, and let you know which learners we’re allocating funding for.
Do learners need to be continuing in the same qualification with the same TEO to meet the transition rules?
Learners continuing in the same qualification do not need to continue the qualification with the same TEO to continue to access their entitlement. A learner may access their remaining entitlement in 2025 at a different TEO, as long as they were using Fees Free in 2024, and are studying or training towards the same qualification.
For most enrolments, we’ll use the qualification code to validate this. In some cases where TEOs have bespoke qualification codes, we may also use the qualification title, credit amount and length to determine whether the learner is in the same qualification.
What do I need to tell my learners? Do you have communications I can send to my learners?
Please direct your learners to the Fees Free website for information: FeesFree.govt.nz
Clearly tell your 2024 learners to check their Fees Free eligibility sooner rather than later, to ensure eligible learners don’t miss out on their first-year entitlement in 2024.
To help you provide the most up-to-date information for your learners we have prepared copy for you to use on your website.
Update your website copy
I have some Fees Free reporting errors in previous years. Can I still fix them and get a wash-up adjustment?
Yes! Please check your reports for previous years and make sure you’ve included all eligible learners and fixed up any errors as soon as possible.
From 31 December 2025, we will no longer accept changes to first-year Fees Free eligibility, or entitlement for 2018 to 2025. It’s important that we clean data up as much as possible before 31 December 2025, so that no learner misses out on their first-year entitlement. TEOs’ last opportunity to finalise first-year Fees Free reporting will be through the 2025 wash-up process, in early 2026.
Under the new final-year policy, learners who have studied or trained using first-year Fees Free will not be able to access Fees Free for their final year.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 13 November 2020
Last updated 13 November 2020

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The Tertiary Education Strategy (TES) sets out the long-term strategic direction for tertiary education. This strategy has been developed following consultation with the tertiary education sector and other stakeholders.
The Tertiary Education Strategy (TES) sets out the long-term strategic direction for tertiary education. This strategy has been developed following consultation with the tertiary education sector and other stakeholders.

What the TES focuses on
The TES shares priorities with the Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP) for early learning and schooling. This linking recognises that learners change and grow as they move through their education and that the education system needs to listen to them, adapt to their needs, and empower them to achieve their aspirations, whatever their age or stage of learning.
The TES comprises eight priorities which ask tertiary education organisations to focus on:

the achievement and wellbeing of all learners
ensuring that places of learning are safe and inclusive and free from racism, discrimination, and bullying  
reducing barriers to success and strengthening the quality of teaching to give learners the skills they need to succeed in education, work and life 
taking account of learners’ needs, identities, languages and cultures in their planning and practice
incorporating te reo Māori and tikanga Māori into their everyday activities
collaborating more with whānau, employers, industry and communities to support learners to succeed in work.

The TES includes actions that both tertiary education organisations (TEOs) and Government can take to help achieve the priorities. TEOs will need to show how they will have regard to the TES priorities in their investment plans. The TEC’s Investment Plan Guidance will support TEOs to do this.
More information about the TES can be found on the Ministry of Education website.

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Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 29 August 2024
Last updated 29 August 2024

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The three CAPEs are university-led centres of excellence for languages, culture, politics and economics of the Asia-Pacific regions – North Asia, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
The three CAPEs are university-led centres of excellence for languages, culture, politics and economics of the Asia-Pacific regions – North Asia, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

The CAPEs focus on developing strong links with North Asia, Southeast Asia and Latin America, facilitating collaboration between tertiary institutions and other stakeholders to support language development, research and knowledge of each region, and to strengthen networks and relationships.
The CAPEs deliver programmes, resources and initiatives that deepen New Zealanders’ knowledge and understanding and provide a platform for commercial, educational and cultural relationships with the economies of the Asia-Pacific.
Please note: The CAPEs initiative is coming to an end, with final reports to be provided to the Tertiary Education Commission in October 2024. There will be no further funding rounds for CAPEs. For background on the Budget 2023 decision, see: Budget 2023.
Preparing New Zealand to ‘do business’ 
Our economic future success is increasingly connected to the Asia-Pacific region, which includes 11 of our top 20 trading partners. CAPEs help to ensure that New Zealand is better prepared to ‘do business’ with the region, including both goods and services trade.
New Zealand is a progressively more diverse society, so a greater understanding of the Asia-Pacific region also has positive impacts domestically.
CAPEs facilitate the provision of, and access to, education and training relevant to the Asia-Pacific region for a range of learners:

current full- or part-time students
those already in the workforce
people looking for additional training
business people.

This includes language qualifications to support New Zealand exporters and government agencies operating overseas.
Supporting key government strategies 
The CAPEs were designed to support the following government strategies:

the Building Export Markets stream of the Business Growth Agenda
Goal 3 of the Leadership Statement for International Education
the Tertiary Education Strategy
NZ Inc strategies for China led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the numerous trade agreements with Asia-Pacific countries. 

Three CAPEs currently operate
Three CAPEs began operating on 1 July 2017:

North Asia CAPE hosted by the University of Auckland
South-East Asia CAPE hosted by Victoria University of Wellington
Latin America CAPE hosted by Victoria University of Wellington.

A consortium was established to deliver on the purpose and policy objectives of all three CAPEs. The consortium includes the host universities (University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington) as well as the University of Otago and the University of Waikato. 
Impact Report
A CAPEs Impact Report assessed the collective impact of the three CAPEs from 2017 to 2022.
Measuring our Impact 2017–2022 (PDF 2MB) – Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence
More information
If you have any questions please email CAPEs@tec.govt.nz or the TEC Customer Contact Group, customerservice@tec.govt.nz.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 9 November 2021
Last updated 9 November 2021

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A tertiary education organisation (TEO) is any organisation that supplies tertiary education and/or training and/or assessment services.
A tertiary education organisation (TEO) is any organisation that supplies tertiary education and/or training and/or assessment services.

The tertiary education sector consists of hundreds of registered TEOs, many of which we fund.
The Education and Training Act 2020 defines the types of TEOs and the Tertiary Education Strategy (TES) specifies the aims and expectations of TEOs.
The Crown has an ownership interest in tertiary education institutions (TEIs), which include universities, wānanga and Te Pūkenga.
We also fund private training establishments (PTEs), community education providers, secondary schools, and rural education activities programme providers (REAPs).
All TEOs can apply for accreditation to assess for New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) qualifications.
Before applying for accreditation, all TEOs must be registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). To view all registered providers visit the NZQA site.
Many TEOs are represented by their respective peak bodies.
TES priority groups
The TES sets high expectations for TEO performance and prioritises an outcomes focus especially for industry, Māori and Pasifika learners and at risk young people.
Qualifications
Tertiary qualifications delivered by universities are quality assured by Universities New Zealand.
Other tertiary qualifications in New Zealand, such as those developed by TITOs or delivered by Te Pūkenga, wānanga, and PTEs, are approved and quality assured by NZQA.

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Monitoring the tertiary education sector

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Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 14 August 2024
Last updated 14 August 2024

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Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi supports language revitalisation and addresses workforce needs through the growth of te reo Māori speakers.
Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi supports language revitalisation and addresses workforce needs through the growth of te reo Māori speakers.

This funding supports the development of new or existing programmes targeting higher levels of te reo Māori proficiency, with the aim of growing the number of highly proficient te reo Māori speakers and supporting sector workforce capabilities.
What is the intent of Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi?
Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi is a fund that supports the outcomes of:

The Fund is intended to support the further development and growth of programmes that support high levels of te reo Māori language proficiency, as outlined in the Whakamātauria Tō Reo Māori framework, developed by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission).
Whakamātauria Tō Reo Māori framework
We do not intend the Fund to be the only source of funding that providers use to develop and deliver programmes. It is intended to support growth of proficiency in te reo Māori.
Next funding round
For information on the next funding round, please see:
Funding – Te Tahua o Te Reo Kairangi

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 9 August 2024
Last updated 9 August 2024

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The provider-based: extramural mode of delivery will remain for 2025 and will be funded at the same rate as the provider-based mode.
The provider-based: extramural mode of delivery will remain for 2025 and will be funded at the same rate as the provider-based mode.

Subject to outcomes of the consultation on the 2025 Funding Determinations, the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills has signalled that the provider-based: extramural mode for funding under the Delivery at Levels 3–7 (non-degree) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework and all industry training (DQ3-7) mechanism will remain for 2025. A significant change for 2025 would be that the provider-based: extramural mode will be funded the same as provider-based delivery in 2025.
It had previously been agreed in 2023 that the extramural mode would change to “provider-based: asynchronous” from 2025, following consultation with providers and other organisations.
For more information, see the Ministry of Education’s consultation documents.
Funding determinations – Education in New Zealand
Reporting
For 2025, for the Single Data Return (SDR) this means that providers must use the existing values for the Intramural/Extramural Attendance field (1–4). Work-based data submissions will use values 1–2 in the Intramural/Extramural Attendance field (in the new work-based solution that will replace the Industry Training Register [ITR]).
This is instead of the requirements that were signalled in the Data Specifications published under the Data System Refresh programme. This will be updated in the next version of both specifications, along with updates to the validation rules.
Data specifications – Data System Refresh programme

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 30 June 2023
Last updated 30 June 2023

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We have awarded the National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence (NCTTE) Fund to a consortium of three tertiary education organisations (TEOs): Massey University, Te Pūkenga and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
We have awarded the National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence (NCTTE) Fund to a consortium of three tertiary education organisations (TEOs): Massey University, Te Pūkenga and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

The consortium will host the Centre from 1 July 2023 for an initial period of three years, with two potential renewals.
The consortium will receive the NCTTE Fund of $3.556 million per year to deliver a National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence that works in partnership with TEOs to:

build teaching capability of TEOs and educators
commission and conduct research, monitoring and evaluation about effective teaching
provide associated advice to the sector and government agencies
administer the annual Tertiary Teaching Awards.

The Centre has been around since 2006, hosted by Massey University and known as Ako Aotearoa. It covers the entire tertiary education system, including vocational education and training (VET), across all subsectors and New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) levels.
Recent changes in New Zealand’s tertiary education sector have altered the landscape substantially. These changes include:

TEC’s Ōritetanga Learner Success programme
creation of Te Pūkenga and unified funding system (UFS) funding changes, both resulting from the recent reforms of vocational education (RoVE).

The changes have created opportunities for a new approach to teaching excellence.
“We had good interest among TEOs in hosting the fund which was pleasing,” said TEC Deputy Chief Executive – Delivery, Gillian Dudgeon.
“The consortium we have chosen stood out because it represents key pillars of our tertiary education sector. Between the three TEOs, they cover almost half of all tertiary enrolments in New Zealand.
“We are excited by the breadth of expertise and insight the consortium TEOs will bring to the refresh of the Centre.
“We have high hopes for what it will deliver in terms of encouraging communities of practice, sharing best practice, and generally supporting and incentivising teaching excellence in new and innovative ways,” said Ms Dudgeon.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 28 June 2023
Last updated 28 June 2023

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The TEC is pleased to announce the appointment of the initial Panel Members for the Quality Evaluation 2026. 
The TEC is pleased to announce the appointment of the initial Panel Members for the Quality Evaluation 2026. 

We are delighted to welcome our initial cohort of peer-review Panel Members to the Quality Evaluation. Each Panel Member is a highly respected researcher and leader in their field and brings a wealth of experience and expertise.
Panel Members will support Panel Co-Chairs to draft the Panel Specific Guidelines for the Quality Evaluation. Then, during the assessment phase of the Quality Evaluation 2026, they will assess the submitted Evidence Portfolios.
We will appoint a second cohort of Panel Members in early 2026 through a round of nominations beginning in mid-2025.
We still expect to appoint a few more Panel Members as part of the initial cohort, and we will publish an updated list in the coming weeks.
Find more information at PBRF Quality Evaluation 2026 Panel Member Appointments