Fees free study

Ako utu-kore

We offer a range of zero fees courses, and you may also be eligible for the fee-free study offered by the Government. 

On this page:

 

Government fees free study

The Government has announced the end of the Fees Free policy for first year learners from 2025. Some details of the change are available on the government's Fees Free website, and we'll continue to update this webpage as we have more information. The Government's Fees Free policy applies to eligible learners studying in:

  • Level 3 and above programmes on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework
  • Up to $12,000 study fees or one EFTS (120 Credits) cap, which ever occurs first

Some information about eligibility, continuing study and fee payments is included below. For more detailed information, including information about the 2024-2025 transition rules, and to check your eligibility, visit the Government’s Fees Free website.

Eligibility in 2024

To be eligible for fees free study in 2024 you must be a New Zealand citizen, studying for the first time, or have remaining first-year Fees Free entitlement.

There are no age requirements or age restrictions for the government fees free study.

If you began your studies in 2024, and your studies carry over into 2025, you can continue to use your remaining first-year Fees Free entitlement if you are continuing in the same programme of study and have Fees Free entitlement remaining.

Eligibility in 2025

To be eligible for Fees Free study for the first time in 2025 you must be a New Zealand citizen, entering your final year of study. The detailed eligibility criteria for the final-year Fees Free policy has not yet been determined. 

Who is not eligible in 2024

You are not eligible if you:

  • Are enrolled at a secondary school at the start of the course or programme.
  • Have previously undertaken more than half a year of equivalent full-time tertiary education 0.5 EFTS (or 60 credits) at level 3 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. This does not include tertiary education completed while enrolled at a secondary school.
  • You have undertaken prior study or equivalent tertiary education in any other country.

Continuing previous study

If you have already done some study and are eligible for fees free study you can continue your study:

  • Subject to the TEC cap for time and maximum allowance.
  • In 2024 if you are eligible, you can change your qualification
  • In 2025 you can continue to use your remaining first-year Fees Free entitlement if you are continuing in the same programme of study in 2025.

Applying for fees free study

To apply for the Government’s fees free study with Open Polytechnic:

  • Choose the programme you wish to apply to study with Open Polytechnic and apply online.
  • The online application form will ask how you would like to pay for your study. Choose the ‘Government Fees-Free’ option.
  • We will then check to make sure you are eligible and get back to you.

Fees already paid

If you find you are eligible for fees-free study, but have already paid your course fees don’t worry. We will review all study applications and will refund eligible students.

Fees paid by student loan

If you are eligible for fees free, but have already taken out a student loan StudyLink advises that you:

  • Log in to your MyStudyLink account
  • Change the ‘Pay fees’ field in your loan application to ‘No’.

Don’t cancel your student loan application completely if you will still need living and course-related costs.

If you were only taking out a loan to pay your fees, and they are less than or equal to $12,000, you can choose to cancel your loan application.

To cancel your application or get further information contact StudyLink:

  •  0800 88 99 00
  •  Studylink website

Withdrawing from your course if you don’t qualify for fees free 

If you are not eligible for fees free study and would like to withdraw your application to enrol in a course please email us.

enrolments@openpolytechnic.ac.nz

Include your name, student number and course(s) you have applied for in the email.

If you are not eligible and you have been enrolled in the course, you can use the request to withdraw form on our website.

Request to Withdraw form

 

Open Polytechnic zero fees programmes for domestic learners

We offer a range of zero fees programmes to make study in these areas as accessible as possible to those who need it. These programmes are free for domestic learners who meet the entry requirements and have not already completed a similar or related qualification at a higher level.

The zero fees offer will be for a limited time. We will publish the end date of the offer two weeks before the offer ends in the qualification/programme page on our website.

What the zero fees offer covers

This zero fees offer only applies to the programme’s enrolment fee.

It does not include provision of textbooks or any other additional fees incurred by a student. These will remain the responsibility of the student.

Applying to enrol

When you enrol in the programme or a course you need to fill in the enrolment form. Payment will not be required to complete your enrolment application (subject to terms and conditions).

List of Open Polytechnic zero fees programmes:

Please note these can be subject to change.

Accounting

Level 4

New Zealand Certificate in Business (Accounting Support Services) (Level 4)

Business

Level 3

Level 4

New Zealand Certificate in Business (Accounting Support Services) (Level 4)

New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) (Level 4)

Design 

Level 4

New Zealand Certificate in Interior Décor (Level 4)

New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design (Level 4)

Education

Level 4

New Zealand Certificate in Education Support (Level 4)

Level 5

Foundation and Bridging

Level 2

Level 3

Health, Wellbeing and Community Services

Level 3

New Zealand Certificate in Sterilising Technology (Level 3)

Level 4

New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Advanced Care and Support) (Level 4)

New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) (Disability Support)

New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) (Mental Health and Addiction Support)

New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) (Whānau, Community and Social Services)

Horticulture

Level 2

Level 3

New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (General) (Level 3)

Level 4

New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design (Level 4)

New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology Essentials (Level 4)

Level 5

New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology (Level 5)

Pharmacy

Level 3

Te Reo

Level 1

Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Reo Rua) (Te Kaupae 1) [New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo (Bilingual) (Level 1)]

 

Find out more

For more information about our zero fees courses, get in touch:

Freephone 0508 650 200

 

Related information