Photo: 123RFEligible students can now apply for funds to help with the cost of their final year of study. Payments are only available once the year is complete, so the first students are eligible under the new criteria this year. The total savings for final-year fees free versus first-year fees free for the financial years 2023/2024 - 2027/2028 were estimated at Budget 2024 to be $879 million. "You have people that struggle still, be it fees free or not, to pay their living costs week to week. Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds, a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money.

Source: Stuff January 15, 2026 13:20 UTC