Te Mahi Ako learning programmes are for people working in te ahumahi ā-rēhia: the active recreation, leisure and entertainment sectors.
Fees and Financial Help
Programme fees
At Te Mahi Ako, we believe that education should be accessible to all. Our programmes fees are structured to enable workforce development at a reasonable price.
Assessment and other costs
In some cases, there may be additional expenses, or non-monetary costs, to completing a programme.
Total costs will vary depending on how the qualification is delivered and assessed, and whether you need external workshops, resources or registrations. Another factor is whether your workplace has an assessor on staff or has to arrange an external assessor who will charge for their time.
Support for workplaces
Fees Free scheme - Fees Free is coming to an end
The Government has confirmed that Fees Free will end on 31 December 2026.
If you complete an eligible qualification or work-based programme in 2026, you can still apply for Fees Free through Inland Revenue’s myIR service within 12 months of completion. Learners who complete their qualification or programme in 2027 or later will not be eligible.
Fees Free covers up to $12,000 towards the final year of provider-based study or the final two years of work-based learning. It is available once to eligible learners who meet the residency and other eligibility requirements.
Eligibility may depend on your previous study or work-based learning, whether you have received Fees Free before, and other criteria.
For full eligibility details and to apply, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.
If you’re unsure whether your Te Mahi Ako qualification or programme is eligible, get in touch with us for more information.
Mana in Mahi
The Mana in Mahi programme is designed to help workplaces support people who have had difficulty in the labour market to gain employment. If you’re interested in this programme, speak directly with Work and Income New Zealand to understand if your workplace could be eligible.
Training minimum wage
If you are an employer taking on a new staff member, you may be able to pay them the training wage if they are completing at least 60 credits a year in a Te Mahi Ako work-based learning programme.
If you think your business could be eligible to offer the training wage, your next step should be to speak directly with Employment New Zealand to understand your rights and responsibilities.