Your workplace learning and assessment aren't free. But the good news is that your State sector employer is likely to pay all or part of these costs. You won't need a student loan, but you will need to be motivated.

The costs associated with workplace learning and assessment includes:

Credit administration fee

For Learning State member agencies, a casual credit administration fee of $3 per credit is charged for learners not in a training agreement. For non member agencies the fee is $6 per credit.
See if your employer is a Learning State member agency

Certification fee

An NZQA certificate to show you have achieved a qualification costs $15. This is called the certification fee.

Your employer is likely to pay these costs for you, but check with your manager to be sure.