All funds

Domestic student

Changed ‘domestic tertiary student’ to ‘domestic student.’

Updated to reflect change in funding mechanism and Gazette notice for 2023, to copy the definition of the term in the Education and Training Act 2020.

All funds

New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) replaced by New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)

Changed ‘New Zealand Qualifications Framework’ to ‘New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.’

Updated to reflect the Education and Training Amendment Act 2022.

Most funds

Learner eligibility table

Updated the learner eligibility table to refer to ‘other types of valid domestic enrolments’ rather than listing all the types of enrolments from the Gazette Notice.

Updated for operational ease should a new form of valid domestic enrolment be added mid-year.

Most funds

Student services fees

Removed the word ‘compulsory’ from student services fees to align with fee regulation settings in 2023.

Updated to reflect the Gazette notice for 2023.

Most funds                 

Subcontracting

Added New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) approval, where you are quality assured by NZQA.

Provided further clarity and consistency with existing process.

Most funds

Training schemes removal

Removed ‘training schemes’ as these no longer exist and have been replaced by ‘Micro-credentials.’

Updated to reflect the Education and Training Amendment Act 2022.

Some funds

Changed terminology

Changed terminology to reflect Unified Funding System (UFS) changes.

To make non-UFS funding conditions align with UFS terminology.

Some funds

Funding rates

Updated funding rates.

Rates were updated through Budget 2022.

Some funds

Micro-credential

Added definition of Micro-credential as a new term for 2023. Added to defined terms within funding conditions catalogue.

Updated to reflect the Education and Training Amendment Act 2022 (the Act).

Some funds

Performance standards

Removed the word ‘minimum’.

Provided clarity that the clause does not refer to only numeric-based performance standards.

ACE (communities and schools)

Defined group

Added definition of a group - three or more people.

Added for clarity.

ACE (communities and schools)

National Student Numbers (NSNs)

Added that the collection of NSNs is optional for 2023.

Updated to reflect changes in the Funding Mechanism following sector consultation and to encourage providers to provide NSN data if able to.

DQ1-2

Delivery in a Correctional Facility funding rate

Updated to reflect that there is a funding rate increase for DQ1-2 provision when delivered in a Correctional Facility.

Rate change in the funding mechanism to reflect the higher cost of delivery in a correctional facility.

DQ1-2, DQ7+

REAP

Removed reference to REAP providers as they need to be registered as a Private Training Establishment (PTE) with NZQA to offer delivery qualifications on the NZQCF so including them (in addition to PTEs) would be duplicative.

Updated to reflect change in funding mechanism to remove unnecessary duplication.

DQ1-2, DQ7+

Student services fees

Added sections about student services fees.

Updated to reflect the Education and Training Amendment Act 2022, that shifts the regulation of student services fees from being through Ministerial Direction to being through funding mechanisms. The change better aligns with the regulation of most other fees.

DQ1-2, DQ7+

Valid domestic enrolments

Amended conditions DQ7+ 5.1 (e) and DQ1-2 4.1 (e) to ensure reference to section 256(5) of the Act is followed, if applicable.

Updated to reflect that section 256(5) of the Act does not apply to PTEs.

DQ7+

Certificate of Proficiency (CoP)

Added that CoPs at any level will be funded by DQ7+. Added to defined terms.

Policy decision as part of UFS that all CoPs will be funded under DQ7+. Reflective of most CoPs being provided by universities linked to degree level programmes.

DQ7+

Certificate of Personal Interest (CPI)

Removed from funding conditions because they are not eligible for funding.

Updated to reflect that CPIs are not eligible for funding as no assessment takes place. Where the learners are assessed, the study should be classified as a CoP.

DQ7+

Learner Success Plans (LSP)

Added condition for required TEOs to submit an LSP and any subsequent progress reports.

Updated to reflect the introduction of LSPs.

DQ1-2, DQ7+, YG

Recognised prior learning (RPL)

Added a new condition, to ensure TEOs pro-rata the EFTS value of a programme or credential component parts where recognised as prior learning.

Updated to provide better clarity of the existing requirements.

DQ1-2, DQ7+, YG

Strand

Added the NZQA definition of a strand.

Added for clarity.

Foundation level funds

Literacy and Numeracy Adults Assessment Tool (LNAAT)

Removed direct reference to the LNAAT and replaced with the need to assess literacy and numeracy needs in line with the guidance on our website. Note: Removing the specific detail of LNAAT use from our funding conditions does not signal a move away from using LNAAT but instead moves our documented expectations to the guidance.

To give the ability to adjust guidance more quickly in response to feedback and any shifting understanding of best practice.

ESOL Refugee

Afghan Emergency Resettlement Visa

Added the Afghan Emergency Resettlement Visa under the learner eligibility section.

Updated to reflect changes in funding mechanism.

ESOL Refugee

Christchurch Response Visa

Added the Christchurch Response Visa under the learner eligibility section.

Updated to reflect changes in funding mechanism.

ESOL Refugee

Eligibility

Updated eligibility for refugees.

Updated to reflect change in funding mechanism as previously refugees without residency could not access tertiary education. This update included adding the term ’refugee background’ and adding ’other special circumstances’ which includes the Christchurch Response Visa.

ILN ESOL

5-year cap

Added that a Tertiary Education Organisation (TEO) needs our prior written approval before enrolling a learner outside the five-year period.

Added for clarity.

MPTT

Managed apprentices, Transitional Industry Training Organisations (TITOs)

Changed wording of ‘managed apprentices’ to ‘apprentices’ and removed mentions of TITOs as these will no longer exist from 2023.

Updated to reflect the funding mechanism to align with UFS and Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) changes.

PBRF

Governance

Added governance principles.

Added for clarity.

PBRF

Quality Evaluation

Changed year of Quality Evaluation from 2025 and 2026.

Updated to reflect change in the Funding Mechanism, following the Minister’s decision to delay it by a year due to the impact of COVID-19 on the tertiary education sector.

YG

Age increase

Changed eligible learner age from 18 to 24.

Updated to reflect policy change to increase support for a larger group of young learners. Increasing the age is part of the Government’s initiaitive to extend access to education for vulnerable young people. 

YG

Compulsory student services fees (CSSF)

Removed references to CSSF (under ‘fees’ clause).

Updated to reflect funding mechanism update because YG learners cannot be charged any fees, including student services fees. 

YG

EFTS value and credits

Changed the definition for EFTS (at Levels 1 and 2) from 100 credits to 80 credits.

Resulting in changing:

• period of enrolment EFTS limit from 2 EFTS to 2.5 EFTS; and
• annual EFTS limit from 1.2 EFTS to 1.5 EFTS.

Updated to reflect policy change to better align with expectations in schools and to reflect the study patterns of YG learners. These changes will allow TEOs to operationalise the new EFTS credit value.

YG

Part-time enrolment

Enabled part-time enrolment.

Updated to reflect policy change, to support flexible arrangements and learner needs. This reflects the needs of some learners who may be young parents, need to enter the workforce, or need to care for other family members. This was part of the Government’s initiative to extend access to education for vulnerable young people. 

YG

Travel rate

Updated to reflect the travel assistance subsidy increased to $1000 per EFTS. This has also been separated from the Exceptional Circumstances Travel Subsidy and included in the overall YG funding rate.

Updated to reflect policy change to better enable TEOs to support their learners’ transport needs. Increasing the transport rate is part of the Government’s initiative to extend access to education for vulnerable young people. 

YG

Wellbeing and Pathways Support Subsidy (previously called pastoral care subsidy)

Updated to reflect the wellbeing and pathways support subsidy was increased to $2000 per EFTS. This is separate to the overall YG funding rate and will be paid for each EFTS funded. The wellbeing and pathways support subsidy is non-recoverable, unless paid in error.

Updated to give YG learners increased support in learning, wellbeing, cultural needs, and encourage workplace links. Increasing the subsidy is part of the Government’s initiative to extend access to education for vulnerable young people.