It is a compulsory non-tuition fee that is charged to students enrolled at EIT | Te Pūkenga. The levy contributes to the provision of student support services that are not covered by tuition fees. The levy funds can only be spent on Student Services as broadly described and directed by the Minister of Education.

• $364 per year for a student enrolled in a full year programme.
• $110 per year for a student enrolled in a Distance (fully online) programme.

The levy helps to fund services such as counselling (including chaplaincy services), health services, financial support and advice, career guidance, student advocacy, sport, recreation and cultural events, and student representation. These services are not covered by tuition fees.

The provision of services covered by the levy will evolve and expand in 2024 as the campus in Hawke’s Bay is re-built and the Te Pūkenga vocational education network structure evolves.

Yes, because it is a compulsory levy.

Students enrolled in less than full-time study are charged on a pro-rata basis. Some groups of students are exempt from paying the levy. Exemption categories includes students enrolled in EIT | Te Pūkenga fees-free designated courses (except the new Government “Free Fees” policy) or other policy initiatives such as Trades Academy and Youth Guarantee.

If you completely withdraw from all courses within the full tuition fee refund period the Student Services Levy will be refunded in full.

No. The Student Services Levy is a compulsory fee.

The services provided are to meet the overall needs of the student community.  Even if you don’t use all of the services they are available for your use and your payment supports provision of these services.

Research is regularly done on which services are most valued by students, and Younited Students’ Association is consulted.  This helps ensure the money is spent on services valued by students.

Students were consulted on the levy during the year (primarily through Younited Students’ Association-led activities) and on the provision of the services it funds.

Younited surveyed students at some of its central events, orientation activities and at an annual dedicated levy feedback session in 2023. Students have requested much of the same services and found that the small increase from 2023 “seems reasonable”. 

Students give feedback in formal evaluations of services (such as student experience surveys, course and programme surveys), through student representatives on the Academic Committee, Health Centre Advisory Group, and class Groups; through EIT | Te Pūkenga social media, and through direct feedback to EIT | Te Pūkenga staff and to the Younited Students’ Association staff. 

EIT | Te Pūkenga contracts Younited to provide a large component of these services and includes student advocacy, membership of the Academic Committee, budgeting advice, and student representation.

Younited purchase equipment and organise activities that are designed to support and engage students. These include orientation activities, cultural, international and whanau events, and recreational and sporting activities.

Students are joined as members of Younited when they enrol with EIT | Te Pūkenga.  There is no fee for this.

EIT | Te Pūkenga is committed to ensuring that students have a say in how their money is spent.  EIT | Te Pūkenga works with Younited Students’ Association and with student groups, to ensure consultation occurs on the levy.

The levy is set by estimating projected revenue and expenses for the following year and may be adjusted annually, generally in accordance with the Government’s Annual Maximum Fee Movement.

The levy estimate takes into account the historic uses of support services, sector trends, projected support needs, inflation, and government policy shifts. The levy is set in consultation with representatives of the Younited Students’ Association and approved by EIT | Te Pūkenga following guidance from Te Pūkenga Council. Decisions are made on categories of courses that will be exempt from the Levy.

This year exemptions include: Fees-free designated courses or other government policy initiatives such as: Trades Academy, Youth Guarantee, ACE, Dual Pathways, and MPTT.

The EIT | Te Pūkenga fees compare favourably with other Te Pūkenga business divisions of a similar size and offering similar programmes.

The 2024 levy will continue to be a student contribution to the services provided to support students.

• EIT | Te Pūkenga publicly reports on how the compulsory Levy has been spent in its Annual Report.
• Younited, the EIT | Te Pūkenga Students’ Association, can provide you with information on the services that it is contracted to provide on your behalf, and on other services covered in the levy.  Refer to the Younited Students’ Association page.
• You can contact the EIT | Te Pūkenga Pouarahi Akonga Learner Services Manager for further information.
• TEC has produced guidance information for tertiary education providers on the compulsory student services levy. Refer to the TEC website.

You can give feedback in several different ways.  You can write in the Have your say online form for giving the EIT | Te Pūkenga your comments, or through the various formal student evaluation surveys at the EIT | Te Pūkenga, or talk to staff in Younited, the the EIT | Te Pūkenga Students’ Association.