Government funding to pay teacher registration fees and levy through to 2028 announced

Today, Monday 28 April, the government has made a pre-budget announcement for the teaching profession, covering their registration fees and levy, for the next three years, starting 1 July, 2025.  

The Governing Council has not yet made any decisions following consultation on a new fee and levy. However, the government has committed to pay the new fee and levy. 

It is important to note that this change addresses the question of who pays rather than how much is paid.  

We celebrate this announcement with the teaching profession. We commit to continue to strengthen the mana of teaching, so teachers can change lives. Teachers shape the future, and we’re dedicated to uplifting and empowering the profession, maximising both individual potential and collective impact. 

FAQs for Governement fees and levy announcement

Will I be eligible for government funding if my certificate expires before 1 July 2025? 

If you’ve already paid to renew your practising certificate, you won’t be eligible. However, the funding is for three years so you’ll be eligible for your next renewal. 

If I’ve already renewed my practising certificate, which expired after 1 July 2025, can I get a refund from the government? 

The funding announced on the 28 April is included in Budget 2025 and doesn’t become available until 1 July. If you have already renewed, you will not be able to be refunded. However, the funding is for three years so your next renewal you will be eligible. 

How will this funding work? 

From 1 July 2025, teachers will complete their applications using Hapori Matatū just as they do now. However, when the teacher goes to the payment gateway, the system will apply a credit to the application leaving a zero balance (as long as the application is made before the current certificate expires). 

 Will the system be up and running by 1 July 2025 

The Teaching Council’s working with our system support team to implement this change. We’ll have a clearer picture of how long it will take to implement in the next few weeks and will keep the profession updated. 

So we no longer have to pay the Teaching Council? 

It’s important to note that this change addresses the question of who pays rather than how much is paid, with the current government deciding to pay the full cost of registration and certification. At this stage, the profession will again be required to pay their own fees and levy for registration and certification at the end of this three-year period.  

Therefore, the Teaching Council will still be required to review and consult on any fees and levy every three years, as covered in under the Education and Training (Teaching Council Fees, Levies, and Costs) Amendment Act 2021. This statutory obligation ensures the Teaching Council's fees and levy align with the actual and reasonable costs of performing our mandatory functions and will continue regardless of fees being paid by individuals in the profession or through government or other funding. 

Does this mean the Teaching Council is no longer independent? 

The Teaching Council is an independent statutory body and although who is paying is moving from individual members of the profession to the government for a three -year period, the Teaching Council remains independent. Being independent means we can give specific policy advice to the government from the perspective of teachers.

Read more about what the Teaching Council does.  

Why is it only going until 2028 and what will happen then? 

The responsibility will return to individual teachers paying their practising certificate, unless the government makes a future decision to continue to pay.