Education and employment-related training

A placement in a short-term training course can be purchased for a client who has specific employment skills deficits. The short-term training course must be:

• employment-related and
• no longer than 12 weeks duration

Clients participating in a short-term course may apply for assistance to help with some of the costs they may have to attend the course.

Currently only Course Participation Assistance is approved to provide assistance for short-term training courses.

Clients undertaking a longer education or training course may be eligible for Training Incentive Allowance to cover the actual costs they have from attending to attend their course of study.

Whether the client meets the eligibility depends on their specific circumstances and benefit type.

The longer education or training course must:

• improve the client's skills for employment and future employment opportunities and
• be a level 7 course or below on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework and
• be a recognised course of study

For more information see:

• Training Incentive Allowance

A placement for a Mana in Mahi participant can be purchased on an educational course or an employment-related training course.

The placement must be for an education or training programme that is Level 7 or below on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (or an equivalent international qualification).

Clients applying for education and employment-related training assistance may need to have income and assets below certain limits.

For more information see:

• Income limit
• Asset limit

Short term course

The actual and reasonable fees charged by a training provider up to $1,000 in a 52-week period.

Longer education or training courses

Training Incentive Allowance is paid for the actual costs a client has from attending a course up to a maximum of $143.08 (as at 1 April 2026) per week of the course, (maximum $5,723.20 a year as at 1 April 2026).

These payments are not income and asset tested.

Education or training courses for Mana in Mahi participants

Payment towards course fees charged by the provider of up to $8,000 (plus GST) over 1 year.

Note the total payment does not need to be reduced by any payment made under Additional educational support costs associated with Mana in Mahi.