From 6 October 2025, learner support for Final-Year Fees Free will move from the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to Inland Revenue.
This change means Inland Revenue will now be responsible for providing information about Final-Year Fees Free, assessing learner eligibility, and making entitlement payments. It’s an important shift designed to make things simpler for learners by centralising financial support in one place: the same agency that manages student loans, StudyLink payments, and other education-related entitlements.
What this means for learners
If you’re planning to study or train and hope to use Final-Year Fees Free, you’ll now need to go to ird.govt.nz/fees-free for all the latest details.
From 6 October 2025 onward:
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Inland Revenue will be the official source of information about Final-Year Fees Free.
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You’ll find clear guidance about who qualifies and how to apply.
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Applications for Final-Year Fees Free will open in myIR from 15 January 2026.
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The previous Fees Free website (feesfree.govt.nz) will no longer provide Final-Year information — it will redirect you to Inland Revenue’s site instead.
Why the change?
This transition is part of a wider government initiative to streamline how learner support is managed across tertiary education. Moving Final-Year Fees Free to Inland Revenue ensures that eligibility and payments are handled by the same organisation already managing student-related financial support, creating a more consistent experience for learners.
What to do next
If you currently promote or share Final-Year Fees Free information, please make sure you’re using the new link and updated details from 6 October 2025. Learners should now be directed to: ird.govt.nz/fees-free
At EarnLearn, we’ll continue to help trainees and employers understand what this means for their learning journey. For any questions about your studies, training, or learner support, you can reach our team at supportel@earnlearn.ac.nz
