Fees Free & Government Funded Courses
Study for FREE
Step into a brighter future with our fees free & government funded courses.
Why you should choose our fees free or government funded courses
• Classes are small and tutors are awesome - they’ll treat you like adults, not kids
• You’ll gain qualifications and skills that help you get a job
• You won’t be stuck in a classroom all day - our training is fun and practical
• You’ll build confidence in a supportive, encouraging environment.
Final year fees free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free scheme will replace it, 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. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free, or to check your eligibility for Final Year Fees Free study under the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
To make the enrolment process as smooth as possible, we ask that you arrange yourself a RealMe account. However, if you need additional support on this process, please submit your application or enquiry and we can help you with this.
Get more info
Interested in finding out more about how you can study for free? Fill in your details below and we will send you more details.
Youth Guarantee Funded Courses
A great way to start. If you're not sure what to do, take the first step with a Level 2 Foundation course or one of our excellent Level 3 courses. If you are aged 16-24, the Youth Guarantee scheme gives you the chance to study free for up to one year.
Places in these programmes are limited and often fill really quickly. To avoid disappointment it is best to get your application in as soon as possible!
FInd out more about this scheme here.
Foundation Skills
In this FREE* practical course, you'll get to know yourself and discover a range of things you can study in the NZMA family. Over 18 weeks you'll get to try out one or more of our most popular subjects.
Foundation Skills - Sports
If you love sport, our foundation course is the perfect starting point to get an introduction into the sport, recreation and fitness industries.
Pathway to a Building Career*
This dynamic new qualification is designed to introduce and develop basic skills and knowledge relevant to various building, construction and allied trades pathways. You will gain essential skills and knowledge of building, construction and allied trades in a supportive hands-on environment, helping you succeed towards employment in the industry.
Certificate in Sport Recreation and Exercise
Certificate in Hospitality (Cafe and Function Services)
This practical course is the perfect introduction to kick-start your hospitality career.
Health and Wellbeing - Introduction
Learn how to support some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people as a healthcare worker in mental health and addiction, community health, nursing or aged care. Gain practical skills and knowledge to apply what you learn in a three week work experience at a healthcare provider.
Certificate in Carpentry Trade Skills
This programme sets you up to enter the construction industry as an apprentice or entry-level employee. You’ll gain loads of hands-on, practical experience, starting off with small workshop projects and building a prefabricated timber sleepout!
Certificate in Trade Skills (Paint and Plaster strand)
In just 19 weeks you’ll gain the skills you need to become a painter, plasterer, apprentice or labourer in construction or allied trades.
Certificate in Pre-Police and Uniformed Services Training
This is the perfect course for anyone inspired to join the New Zealand Police Force as a Police Officer, Police Communicator, security organisations or going on to further study.
Certificate in Electrical Engineering
Land a job as Electricity Supply Electrical Apprentice or an Industrial Electrical Apprentice or pathway into further study and become a qualified electrician. The course is pre-entry foundation knowledge of electrical engineering and is suitable for those who wish to enter the industry and who do not yet have electrical apprenticeship agreement.
Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying (Pre-Apprenticeship)
Secure your future in the construction sector by becoming a plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer with our pre- pre-apprenticeship programme.
Māori & Pasifika Trades Training Courses
If you’re Māori or Pasifika and aged 16-40, you might be able to get a scholarship to pay your course fees for one of our Trades courses. You’ll also get one-on-one career coaching, help finding work, and other learner support.
Certificate in Carpentry Trade Skills
This programme sets you up to enter the construction industry as an apprentice or entry-level employee. You’ll gain loads of hands-on, practical experience, starting off with small workshop projects and building a prefabricated timber sleepout!
Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying (Pre-Apprenticeship)
Secure your future in the construction sector by becoming a plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer with our pre- pre-apprenticeship programme.
Certificate in Electrical Engineering
Land a job as Electricity Supply Electrical Apprentice or an Industrial Electrical Apprentice or pathway into further study and become a qualified electrician. The course is pre-entry foundation knowledge of electrical engineering and is suitable for those who wish to enter the industry and who do not yet have electrical apprenticeship agreement.
Certificate in Trade Skills (Paint and Plaster strand)
In just 19 weeks you’ll gain the skills you need to become a painter, plasterer, apprentice or labourer in construction or allied trades.
Limited Time FREE Courses
As an exclusive NZMA promotion, we offer domestic students the following courses for FREE! Check out below for more details.
Certificate in Horticulture
Plant your future with our online horticulture course and make a positive impact in the world towards sustainability.
Certificate in Horticulture (Landscape Design & Build)
Combine your love of gardening and ornamentals with your flair for design in this exciting new online programme. Using thoughtful design, learn how to create tactile plans before bringing them to life in your garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
From 2025, Fees Free covers the final year of study or training for the first qualification an eligible learner completes. To find out which of our courses are eligible under the Final Year Fees Free Scheme, you can chat to one of our course advisors. To understand if you are eligible as a learner, we recommend you review the eligibility criteria which you can find on https://www.feesfree.govt.nz/final-year/
When you enrol, you will need to arrange payment of your fees. You may wish to apply for a student loan to help you cover the fees, our course advisors would be happy to help you with this process. You don’t need to do anything else until you complete your first eligible qualification, at which point you will be able to make a claim through myIR on the Inland Revenue website. This will be available in early 2026.
If you’re eligible, Fees Free covers the fees for the final year of tertiary study or training in the first qualification you complete after 1 January 2025, up to $12,000 including GST. Fees Free will cover only the final year of one qualification or programme. Final-year Fees Free covers tuition fees, compulsory course costs and student services fees for provider-based learners.
The “final year” of provider-based study covers up to 1 EFTS (120 credits), or up to $12,000 including GST (whichever you reach first). The “final year” of study may also be the first year of study, where a qualification is 120 credits or less. If you didn’t use the $12,000 entitlement for the final year of your first qualification or programme, you won’t be able to access Fees Free again for a second qualification or programme.
Send us a message and one of our course advisors would be happy to chat with you. Alternatively, there is more information provided by TEC on the Fees Free website - https://www.feesfree.govt.nz/final-year/