Source: Tertiary Education Commission
Last updated 8 December 2025
Last updated 8 December 2025
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The Delivery Classification Guide (DCG) helps providers to accurately assign a delivery classification and funding category to each course within a programme or micro-credential they deliver.
The Delivery Classification Guide (DCG) helps providers to accurately assign a delivery classification and funding category to each course within a programme or micro-credential they deliver.
2026 Delivery Classification Guide (PDF 827 KB)
2026 Delivery Classification Guide changes
What are delivery classifications?
Delivery classifications are the coding system we use to group courses by subject matter for funding and reporting purposes. Assigning the right delivery classification ensures accurate funding is calculated.
You must assign a delivery classification to each provider-based course within a programme or micro-credential funded through:
Youth Guarantee (YG)
Delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (DQ1-2)
Delivery at Levels 3 to 7 (non-degree) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework and all industry training (DQ3-7) – in relation to provider-based delivery only
Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (DQ7-10).
The DCG does not apply to work-based delivery. You only need to use this guide for provider-based elements of work-based programmes (ie, off-job block courses).
When should I use the Delivery Classification Guide?
It is a condition of Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) funding that tertiary education organisations (TEOs) assign a delivery classification and related funding category to each provider-based course.
You must use the Delivery Classification Guide when you assign a delivery classification and funding category to each course within a programme or micro-credential that you deliver. This is normally when:
submitting a new course or course change through the Course Register file in DXP Ngā Kete, and
reporting through the Single Data Return (SDR).
Previous DCGs
View DCGs from previous years:
2025 Delivery Classification Guide (PDF 683 KB)
2024 Delivery Classification Guide (PDF 1 MB)
2023 Delivery Classification Guide (PDF 756 KB)
2020 SAC 1-39 Course Classification Guide (PDF 860 KB)
