Is my child a domestic student (free school)?
At New Zealand primary and secondary schools, domestic students study free at state and state-integrated schools. International students pay fees. New Zealand citizens and residents are domestic students. A Ministry of Education notice also lists some children on temporary visas who are treated as domestic students. The most common case is a child on a student visa with a parent on a work visa.
Key facts
- Who is a domestic student
- New Zealand citizens; people who hold a residence class visa; and people the Ministry of Education lists in a notice in the Gazette, as allowed by law, to be treated as domestic students1
- Free schooling
- Domestic students aged 5 to 19 can study free at state and state-integrated schools3
- Australian citizens
- Australian citizens count as New Zealand residents and are domestic students3
- Children of work visa holders
- A child who holds a student visa, with one parent on a work visa, is treated as a domestic student until the end of the year in which that work visa expires2
- Children of student visa holders
- A child on a student visa is treated as a domestic student only if the parent is doing a PhD at a New Zealand university, is on an exchange programme approved by the New Zealand government, or holds a scholarship funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme2
- Parent is a citizen or resident, child's status still being processed
- A child who holds a student visa, and whose own residence visa application (at the time of enrolment) or citizenship application is being processed, is treated as a domestic student until the end of the year in which the student visa expires2
- Children without a valid visa
- A child can enrol as a domestic student if they have lived in New Zealand with their parents (or extended family members) continuously for more than 6 months, have not been enrolled at a school before (or were last enrolled as a domestic student), and have approval from the Ministry of Education2
- Dependent Child Student Visa
- Application fee from NZ$750; 80% are processed within 8 weeks; the child must be 19 or under; the visa usually lasts as long as the parent's visa4
- Work visas that cannot support a Dependent Child Student Visa
- Fishing Crew Work Visa, Recognised Seasonal Employer Visa, Supplementary Seasonal Employment Work Visa, Skilled Migrant Job Search Visa, working holiday visas, and others4
- AEWV holders
- Whether you can support your child for a Dependent Child Student Visa depends on your income and job. For example: at least NZ$52.50 an hour; at least NZ$58,240 a year for ANZSCO level 1–3 or NOL jobs; or a Green List job that meets its requirements5
- Child going to university
- The Dependent Child Student Visa is only for primary and secondary school. For university or other tertiary study, the child needs to apply for a Fee Paying Student Visa4
- Age
- Children under 5 cannot go to school in New Zealand4
Who is this for, and what are the requirements?
- New Zealand citizens.
- New Zealand residents (holders of a residence class visa), including Australian citizens.
- Other people listed in the Ministry of Education notice, the Education (Domestic Student: Primary and Secondary Education) Notice 2026. Common examples: a parent on a work visa with the child on a student visa; a parent doing a PhD at a New Zealand university; a parent on a government-approved exchange programme or with a NZ Aid Programme scholarship; a parent on a military visa; people applying for refugee or protected person status, and their children; and eligible Critical Purpose Visitor Visa holders. Always check the exact conditions in the notice itself.
- Children who do not meet any of these conditions can usually only enrol as international students and must pay fees.
How do I do it? Steps and process
- Check the official definition
Work out which visa category you and your child are in. Compare it with the Ministry of Education's definition of a domestic student and the Gazette notice. If you are not sure, contact the Ministry of Education (phone +64 4 463 8000) about enrolment eligibility.
- Get a visa for your child
If your child is not a citizen or resident and you hold a suitable work or student visa, you can apply for a Dependent Child Student Visa for your child. You can also apply for it at the same time as your own visa. If you are on a work visa, your child must hold a student visa to be treated as a domestic student.
- Show proof when you enrol
The school can ask to see documents that prove your child is a domestic student. The school then records your child in the correct category in the Ministry of Education's ENROL system.
- Tell the school when your visa changes
When your visa or your child's visa is renewed or changed, show the new visa to the school. The school needs to update its proof of eligibility so your child can keep studying as a domestic student.
- Where to get help
For questions about enrolment and documents, contact the Ministry of Education e-admin contact centre (phone 04 463 8383). For visa questions, contact Immigration New Zealand.
What documents do I need?
- Your child's passport and visa (for example, a Dependent Child Student Visa)
- The parents' passports and visas (for example, proof that a parent holds a work visa or a PhD student visa)
- Proof that you are the child's parent, such as a birth certificate
- New Zealand citizens: birth certificate, citizenship certificate, or similar
- New Zealand residents: passport and residence visa
What should I watch out for?
- Being a domestic student and getting a visa are two separate things. The Ministry of Education's rules decide whether you pay fees. Immigration New Zealand decides whether your child can get a Dependent Child Student Visa.
- From 25 March 2026, the notice says children of work visa holders must hold a student visa to be treated as domestic students. A child on a visitor visa usually does not count (except special cases such as the Critical Purpose Visitor Visa).
- Domestic student status only lasts until the end of the year in which the work visa expires. If the parent does not have a new qualifying visa by then, the child will have to pay fees as an international student.
- If you hold an AEWV, whether you can support your child's visa also depends on your income and job. These rules change often, so check the latest Immigration New Zealand page before you apply.
- For a Dependent Child Student Visa, you also need to show money for your child's living costs, for example NZ$17,000 a year or NZ$1,417 a month. If a parent on a work visa earns enough, Immigration New Zealand may waive this requirement.
- State school is not completely free, even for domestic students. You pay for uniforms, stationery and activities. School donations are voluntary.
- We only explain official public information. We do not give immigration advice. For your own situation, contact Immigration New Zealand or a licensed immigration adviser.
What has changed recently?
- An amendment to the notice came into force: the rule for children of work visa holders now says the child must hold a student visa and be a dependent child of a work visa holder. For children of citizens or residents whose status is still being processed, domestic status is now based on the year the child's student visa expires.Source: legislation.govt.nz ↗
- The new Education (Domestic Student: Primary and Secondary Education) Notice 2026 came into force, replacing the Education (Domestic Students) Notice 2023.Source: legislation.govt.nz ↗
Common questions
I am on a work visa. Do I have to pay school fees for my child in New Zealand?
Usually no, if your child holds a student visa. A child on a student visa, with one parent on a work visa, is treated as a domestic student until the end of the year in which that work visa expires. Domestic students aged 5 to 19 study free at state and state-integrated schools. You still pay for uniforms, stationery and activities.
How do I know if my child is a domestic student or an international student?
Your child is a domestic student if they are a New Zealand citizen, hold a residence class visa (including Australian citizens), or are listed in the Education (Domestic Student: Primary and Secondary Education) Notice 2026. Other children are usually international students and must pay fees. If you are not sure, contact the Ministry of Education on +64 4 463 8000.
I am doing a PhD in New Zealand. Can my child go to school for free?
Yes, if your child holds a student visa. A child on a student visa is treated as a domestic student when the parent is doing a PhD at a New Zealand university. Domestic students aged 5 to 19 study free at state and state-integrated schools. The school can ask for proof, such as your PhD student visa.
I am on a student visa for a master's degree. Is school free for my child?
Usually no. A child on a student visa is treated as a domestic student only if the parent is doing a PhD at a New Zealand university, is on an exchange programme approved by the New Zealand government, or holds a scholarship funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme. Otherwise, your child usually enrols as an international student and pays fees.
Can my child go to school on a visitor visa? Do we have to pay?
A child on a visitor visa usually does not count as a domestic student, so you would usually pay fees. Special cases include eligible Critical Purpose Visitor Visa holders. From 25 March 2026, children of work visa holders must hold a student visa to be treated as domestic students. For visa questions, contact Immigration New Zealand.
What is a Dependent Child Student Visa and how much does it cost?
It is a visa for a child aged 19 or under to attend primary or secondary school, supported by a parent on a suitable work or student visa. The application fee is from NZ$750, and 80% are processed within 8 weeks. It usually lasts as long as the parent's visa. You may also need to show living costs, for example NZ$17,000 a year.
My work visa is expiring soon. Until when can my child study as a domestic student?
Your child can study as a domestic student until the end of the year in which your work visa expires. If you do not have a new qualifying visa by then, your child will have to pay fees as an international student. When your visa is renewed or changed, show the new visa to the school.
Will my child still be a domestic student at university?
Not under these rules. The domestic student rules described here cover primary and secondary school only. The Dependent Child Student Visa is also only for school. For university or other tertiary study, your child needs to apply for a Fee Paying Student Visa. For visa questions, contact Immigration New Zealand.
Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.
Where can I check the official information?
- Definition of a domestic student in New ZealandMinistry of Education · education.govt.nz
- Education (Domestic Student: Primary and Secondary Education) Notice 2026New Zealand Legislation · legislation.govt.nz
- Eligibility to enrol in New Zealand schoolsMinistry of Education · education.govt.nz
- Dependent Child Student VisaImmigration New Zealand · immigration.govt.nz
- Bringing family if you have an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)Immigration New Zealand · immigration.govt.nz
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