Information which may assist in budgeting for AUT papers in training of Anaesthetic Technicians

Year 1:

• 3 papers @ approx. $700 each = $2100.00
• 2 block courses in Auckland, 5 days total.
• 1 National machine check assessment (depending on year- Christchurch, Wellington, Palmerston North in 2011), 1 day

Year 2:

• 2 papers @ approx. $700 each = $1400.00
• 1 block course in Wellington (will always try to keep it out of Auckland), 1 day

Year 3:

• 3 papers @ approx. $700 each = $2100.00.
• 2 block courses in Auckland, 3 days total.

Training Hospitals

How do I train to be an Anaesthetic Technician?

In order to train as an Anaesthetic Technician, specific requirements must be met as follows:

• New Zealand Citizenship / Permanent Residency - This is a mandatory requirement. Trainees will not be considered for training without evidence of their NZ citizenship or permanent residency.
• Employment with a New Zealand Anaesthetic Technician’s Society (NZATS) approved training hospital - To gain access on to the Anaesthetic Technician’s training programme provided by Auckland University of Technology (AUT), applicants must be employed by an NZATS-approved training hospital (list available on this webpage).  Training hospitals advertise trainee positions regularly and can be contacted for details of training programmes via the HR Department or Career’s Centre. 
• Enrollment on Diploma Applied Sciences (Anaesthetic Technology) at AUT - AUT will not permit enrollment onto the Diploma without evidence of employment in an NZATS approved training hospital.
• Registration with NZATS - Immediately upon commencement of employment, trainees must register as a trainee Anaesthetic Technician with the NZATS.  This is done using the Registration Form (T) available on this website.  Failure to do so may result in loss of recognition of clinical training hours and failure to complete the training course within the required time frame.

Do I need to have any specific qualifications before I am eligible to apply for the Diploma Applied Science (Anaesthetic Technology)?

AUT prefer that students have the following qualifications prior to enrollment on the Diploma Applied Sciences (Anaesthetic Technology).

• Study to Level 3 NCEA (or equivalent).
• Level 2 NCEA Physics (6th Form Certificate) OR AUT Biophysics Level 2 (or equivalent)
• Level 3 Biology (7th Form Certificate ) OR AUT Anatomy & Physiology Level 3 (or equivalent)

Some trainees prefer to sit the HAP I and Biophysics 5 papers before applying for training position at a hospital.    Contact AUT for advice on how to do this.

Once I am in a training position, what requirements need to be met before I can seek employment as fully qualified Anaesthetic Technician?

In order to qualify as an Anaesthetic Technician and be eligible for employment, the following requirements must be met:

• A pass in the Diploma Applied Science (Anaesthetic Technology)
• Completion of the required clinical training hours as set out in the Training Regulations (available on this website).
• A pass in the NZATS Registration Exam which is sat after successful completion of the Diploma.

Do I need to have healthcare experience to be accepted onto a training scheme?

Previous healthcare experience is preferable but not mandatory.  An interest in people and a desire to participate in providing a high standard of service to patients is essential.

If I already have a paramedic or nursing degree, can I do a post-graduate qualification?

Successful completion of an approved Paramedic or Nursing degree (or other degree deemed appropriate by the NZATS) permits entry onto the Graduate Certificate Programme.  This entitles the student to a fast-track training programme of a minimum of 18 months AUT study and equivalent clinical hours.

What if I have already studied university level biology or physics – can these papers be cross-credited to my Diploma or Graduate Certificate?

Students with relevant university papers in HAP (Human Anatomy & Physiology) or Biophysics must meet specific requirements in order that their papers can be formally cross-credited, as follows:

• The paper must have been sat within 5 years of enrolment on the Diploma or Graduate Certificate programme (unless applicant has been working continuously in the field)      
• Evidence must be supplied which demonstrates at least 80% equivalence to the current HAP I Biophysics 5 papers offered by AUT.
• You must formally apply for “Recognition of Prior Learning” to AUT and provide all necessary evidence to support your application.  Forms are available from AUT.
• Cross-credit of papers is not guaranteed until the student has official notification from the AUT Board of Studies.

AUT - Requirements & Programme Outlines

The AUT provides the theoretical learning programme in distance learning modules.  All papers are supported by a practical Block Course.

The academic year commences February/March.

Diploma Applied Sciences (Anaesthetic Technology)

Graduate Certificate

If I have relevant work experience, can I cross credit any of the clinical anaesthesia papers?

Nurses who have experience in certain practice areas may be eligible to apply for cross credit of Anaesthesia I and/or Special Topic papers.

Experience in these practice areas must have been for a minimum period of one year.

• Operating Room nursing
• Surgical ward nursing
• Emergency Department nursing
• Intensive Care nursing
• PACU nursing

Any trainee applying for RPL (non-formal RPL unless there is a paper which can be credited, costs approximately $225) for their work experience must provide evidence to support their application, including a portfolio confirming training in the relevant areas to Special Topic. This should also be accompanied by a letter of support from the Supervisor of Training (the senior training supervisor appointed at each training hospital).  There is no guarantee of cross-credit until the student has received official notification from AUT Board of Studies.

Guidelines for commencing study / training in Anaesthetic Technology at AUT

• Once you have a training position confirmed at a training hospital, register with the NZATS (www.nzats.co.nz)
• Contact the Student Information Centre for advice on which programme you are eligible to enrol in (Diploma or Grad Cert) and for more information relating to these programmes.
• Complete the enrolment form and supply all required documentation (copies of which must be certified by a JP).  You can apply on-line, in person or via the postal system.
• Ask your Supervisor of Training (SoT) to write a letter to AUT confirming your employment on a training scheme.
• AUT will then offer you a place on the relevant programme.  You must respond by accepting this place in writing.
• Select which papers you wish to enrol in for the 1st year.  Seek advice from your SoT and AUT.
• You will then receive an Invoice from AUT.  If you do not receive an invoice promptly, contact the Student Information Centre to find out why your enrolment has not progressed satisfactorily.

NZATS Requirements

• Registration
  • Registration with NZATS throughout training.
• Clinical Hours:

NZATS rules require trainees to complete a minimum number of clinical hours before they are eligible to sit their final NZATS Registration Exam.  Clinical hours refer to the time trainees spend in clinical practice.  This is most commonly 40 hours per week.

The rules are as follows:

• Trainees enrolled in the Diploma Applied Sciences (Anaesthetic Technology) with no relevant clinical experience must complete a minimum 3 years (6240 hours) of clinical hours.
• Diploma trained and Enrolled Nurses must complete a minimum 2 years (4160 hours) of clinical hours.
• Trainees enrolled in the Graduate Certificate must complete a minimum 1 year (2080) of clinical hours.
• Any trainee with relevant clinical experience is entitled to apply in writing to the NZATS requesting a reduction in clinical training hours.   The NZATS may award a maximum of up to 6 months reduction in clinical training hour requirements where it sees fit.   For more information on this, seek guidance from your Supervisor of Training.
• Clinical hours must be completed before applying to sit the final NZATS Registration Examination.
• It is essential that you read the Training Regulations for a full explanation of the clinical hour requirement.

• On the job training / study
  • Clinical training hours are completed at the same time the trainee studies for AUT papers.   It is expected that study is completed in the trainee’s own time.  Training hospitals will provide a minimum of one hour of lecture time per week (or equivalent) to support study.
• Academic study
  • The programme of study must be completed before applying to sit the final NZATS Registration Examination.

• NZATS Registration Examination
  • Trainees must pass this examination in order to register as a Qualified Anaesthetic Technician and to be eligible for employment as such.

• Further Information
  • For further information on the Diploma of Applied Sciences (Anaesthetic Technology) or the Graduate Certificate, please email Wendy Emson on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  Alternatively you can telephone the AUT Student Information Centre on (09) 921 9779 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • For further information about a local training programme in your area, contact the training hospital and ask for the Career’s Centre or Anaesthetic Department.

General Information – Clinical Training

Remuneration / Contracts of Employment etc