Fees Free

Fees Free tertiary education and training is a policy introduced in 2018 to expand participation in tertiary education and reduce student debt in New Zealand. It is targeted towards first-time learners.

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 policy 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.

If you're enrolled in work-based learning in 2024 and you're continuing in the same qualification into 2025, Fees Free will cover your fees up to the end of 2025 only (within your remaining 24 month, one EFTS and $12,000 entitlement). From 2026 onwards, you'll need to refer to FeesFree.govt.nz to check your eligibility.

For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.

Vitae Service

How the service works
Vitae provides individuals with access to a confidential counselling service that is funded by your workplace. A limited number of sessions are offered to help individuals and family members resolve specific issues that are impacting on their health and wellbeing and to help you work effectively at work.

About Vitae Clinicians
Vitae is a professional workplace wellness provide who offers access to a nationwide team of independent counsellors, psychologists and trauma responders.

Vitae provides:

• Access to MNZAC & NZ Psychological Ass. accredited counsellors & psychologists with a minimum 5yrs clinical practice
• A limited number of counselling sessions per referral funded by your employer
• 24/7 contact centre and duty counsellor for emergencies

Clinicians are bound by the Vitae Practice Manual and the Code of Ethics of their professional association. You can access the NZAC Code of Ethics here.

Confidentiality
All Vitae services are confidential. Anything you discuss remains confidential; no one else receives any details about your discussions without your permission.

Access to personal information
Any notes that are taken during a counselling session will be kept by the counsellor and will not be available to you without your counsellor asking Vitae for permission to release these details.

Extension sessions
Your clinician will try to assist you resolve issues within your allocated number of sessions. If your clinician thinks that these are not enough, your clinician may, with your permission ask Vitae for additional sessions through the EAP budget holder in your organisation (this may not be your direct manager). You may not use these extra sessions until approval has been granted.

The clinician may also offer you other alternatives such as a referral to another clinician or agency, or you may choose to continue working with your counsellor through a privately agreed arrangement.

Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend sessions, it is important that you advise your clinician as soon as possible. If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, your organisation will be charged for the session and you will lose that session.

Vitae contact details:
Telephone: 0508 664 981
Website: www.vitae.co.nz
Email: enquiry@vitae.co.nz

MANA IN MAHI PROGRAMME

This is an existing programme that has had $30.3 million in new funding through extension of the funding and programme criteria.

The programme supports people disadvantaged in the labour market into long-term work.

Funding includes a wage subsidy for employers, funding for pre-employment training, ongoing access to pastoral care and incentive payments for participating employees