Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM) set at 6%#

The Government regulates how much tertiary providers can increase their fees for domestic students each year through the AMFM. This caps the percentage increase on fees for existing courses at level 3 and above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).

Following consultation, the Minister confirmed that the AMFM rate will be set at 6% for the 2027 calendar year. This permits up to a 6% increase on the fees (GST exclusive) charged in 2026 to domestic students. The proposed increase aims to strike a balance between supporting providers to manage cost pressures and supporting the affordability of tertiary education for students and their whānau | families.

Micro-credential fee cap set#

The micro-credential fee cap sets a per-credit cap on the fees providers can charge domestic students enrolled in micro-credentials. Following consultation, the Minister confirmed a $64 (GST inclusive) per credit fee cap will be maintained for the 2027 calendar year.

Other fee regulation setting changes#

Some minor and technical changes to improve the clarity of the fee regulation settings have also been confirmed for 2027.

A change was made to clarify when a Tertiary Education Organisation (TEO) may return a course fee to a previously approved level. A TEO may return to a previously approved fee where a course has not been offered for 1 or more calendar years. This includes situations where a fee for a course has been reduced.

A change has been made to the low and zero fee provision. The revised clause now allows providers charging low or zero fees to increase fees up to the 75th percentile of the fee range charge for similar courses, as determined by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).

The full fee settings will be available in the funding mechanisms and delegation. The TEC will publish this by 1 October 2026.