16520 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

16520 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Have there been any changes since 1 November 2023 to eligibility criteria, or assessment and decision-making processes, in relation to applications for the Training Incentive Allowance; if so, what were they and when did they come into effect?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that from 30 June 2024, the Training Incentive Allowance (TIA) was made permanent. TIA had been reinstated from July 2021 for eligible beneficiaries undertaking courses at levels 4 to 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. On 1 January 2025, the Final Year Fees Free Programme was implemented from 1 January 2025. However, if an eligible beneficiary received TIA for course fees in their final calendar year of study, they could not claim Final Year Fees Free for fees in that calendar year. I am further advised that from 17 November 2025, ongoing TIA payments were excluded from Youth Money Management. These could now be paid to the young person, their agent (if authorised) or a supplier (as appropriate).