About the role
Anaesthetic Technicians are an integral part of New Zealand’s perioperative teams, providing skilled assistance in the delivery and monitoring of anaesthesia care. You’ll work closely with Anaesthetists and other clinicians across a range of surgical and acute care settings, ensuring safe, efficient and high-quality outcomes for patients.
Your expertise will be valued across operating theatres, intensive care units, emergency departments and day surgery clinics, with opportunities to develop your practice and contribute to continuous improvement in patient care.
The salary, leave and benefits of Anaesthetic Technicians practising in New Zealand are covered by either the APEX or PSA collective agreement.
Individual districts may have variations or additional provisions under their collective agreements. The information below outlines the general provisions that apply across most agreements.
APEX Anaesthetic Technicians Collective Agreement
Salary
- 10-step progression scale; Steps 1–7 increase automatically each year.
- Salary range: NZD $77,078 – $116,390.
- Designated Anaesthetic Technicians have a 10-step scale:
- Salary range: NZD $111,240 – $151,410.
- Overtime and penal rates apply.
Allowances
- Higher duties and night shift allowances.
Leave
- Annual leave: 4 weeks, increasing to 5 weeks after 5 years’ service.
- Shift work: Up to 5 additional days after 12 months on a shift roster.
- Sick leave: Minimum 10 days per year plus up to 10 discretionary days.
- Parental leave: 6–12 months, depending on length of service; up to 14 weeks paid.
- Public holidays: 12 paid days plus time in lieu or alternative holiday if rostered on.
Additional benefits
- Reimbursement of professional registration costs and annual practising certificates.
- Professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ.
- Minimum of 5 days CPD leave per year.
- If eligible, a minimum 3% employer superannuation contribution.
PSA Allied Health Health, Scientific and Technical Collective Agreement
Salary
- 10-step progression scale; Steps 1–7 increase automatically each year.
- Salary range: NZD $77,078 – $116,390.
- Designated Anaesthetic Technicians have a 10-step scale:
- Salary range: NZD $111,240 – $151,410.
- Overtime and penal rates apply.
Allowances
- Higher duties and night shift allowances.
Leave
- Annual leave: 4 weeks, increasing to 5 weeks after 5 years’ service.
- Shift work: Up to 5 additional days after 12 months on qualifying shifts.
- On-call leave: Up to 3 additional days per year for required on-call duties.
- Sick & domestic leave: 10 days per year plus up to 10 discretionary days; can accumulate up to 260 days.
- Parental leave: 6–12 months, depending on length of service; up to 14 weeks of paid parental leave. Applies to birth, adoption, and Whāngai arrangements.
- Public holidays: Paid leave or alternative holiday if rostered to work.
Additional benefits
- Reimbursement of professional registration costs and annual practising certificates.
- Professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ.
- If eligible, a minimum 3% employer superannuation contribution.
Employment agreements — Health New Zealandexternal link
Governance and professional standards
- Work within the scope of practice defined by the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand (MSCNZ),
- maintain professional competence in line with the Council’s updated standards (effective 1 April 2025),
- comply with supervision requirements, particularly for new graduates,
- hold an approved qualification and a current Annual Practising Certificate.
Cultural competency and community engagement
- Understand and apply the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in clinical practice,
- engage with Māori and other local communities to promote equitable health outcomes.
Preparation and equipment management
- Check, prepare and maintain anaesthetic and life support equipment,
- clean, disinfect, sterilise and calibrate anaesthetic machines and instruments,
- restock anaesthetic drugs, fluids, airway tools, IV supplies and emergency kits.
Patient interaction and assessment
- Support patients through clear communication and reassurance before procedures,
- identify and report medical risks that may affect anaesthesia,
- conduct pre-operative identity, consent and equipment safety checks.
Support during anaesthesia
- Assist with airway management, including intubation and laryngeal mask placement,
- insert intravenous (IV) lines and support the setup of arterial or central lines,
- support anaesthetists with the delivery of local anaesthesia and nerve blocks,
- administer IV fluids and monitor drug dosages under supervision.
Monitoring and intraoperative care
- Monitor and record vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and temperature,
- collect and analyse blood samples such as arterial blood gases,
- operate patient warming and cooling systems as required.
Emergency and resuscitation support
- Respond promptly to emergencies in theatres, emergency departments and ICUs,
- participate actively in resuscitation and critical care situations.
Post-operative care
- Assist with airway management and administration of reversal agents,
- support patient recovery and transfer to the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU),
- insert and manage IV catheters as part of ongoing patient care.
Administration and interprofessional collaboration
- Document perioperative activity accurately and in a timely manner,
- maintain patient confidentiality and comply with privacy and information policies,
- communicate effectively with anaesthetists, surgical teams, ICU staff, ward teams and biomedical services.
Teaching, leadership and quality improvement
- Supervise and mentor students and junior staff in clinical settings,
- participate in peer review, professional appraisal and continuing education,
- contribute to audits, incident reporting, service improvement and governance activities.
Expanded scope and advanced practice
- Undertake advanced practice in areas such as post-anaesthetic care and catheter insertion,
- complete accredited training for extended clinical responsibilities.
Anaesthetic Technician qualification
You must hold an approved qualification in anaesthetic technology. Common pathways include:
- a Diploma or Bachelor of Health Science (Anaesthetic Technology) from a New Zealand institution, for example Auckland University of Technology
- an overseas qualification that is assessed as equivalent to New Zealand standards by the MSCNZ.
Registration with the MSCNZ
All Anaesthetic Technicians must be registered with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand to practice legally.
Applicants need to submit proof of their qualifications, personal identification, and evidence of fitness to practice.
Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
To practice as an Anaesthetic Technician, you must hold a valid Annual Practising Certificate (APC), which is renewed annually.
To maintain the APC, you must:
- provide evidence of ongoing competence.
- demonstrate participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities.
Internationally qualified candidates
United Kingdom
Internationally qualified candidates include practitioners who hold a United Kingdom-issued qualification in Anaesthetic Technology and:
- have 3680 hours or more (2 years full-time equivalent) post-qualification relevant specialised anaesthetic technology experience, and
- are registered and in good standing with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Applicants with less than 2 years' experience can still apply and be assessed by the Council, which may include a Work-Based Assessment in practice.
All other countries
All other overseas qualifications are assessed on a case-by-case basis as to whether or not the holder of that qualification meets the registration requirements of the Council. Qualifications will be assessed against a standard set of criteria approved by the Council. Learn more about how to register.
Operating Department Practitioners
Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) seeking roles may apply for registration and practice within the boundaries of an Anaesthetic Technician.
Recertification for internationally qualified Anaesthetic Technicians
From 1 November 2025, the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand will introduce a recertification programme for internationally qualified anaesthetic technicians and those returning to practice after more than three years away.
The programme ensures all practitioners are safe, competent, and confident to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s healthcare system. It includes:
- Supervision – a structured period with at least one hour per week of dedicated discussion,
- online learning – modules introducing New Zealand’s health system, professional standards, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles,
- flexible approach – supervision tailored to each practitioner’s experience.
The new policy applies to technicians registering after 1 November 2025. Those already registered or with existing supervision conditions will continue under current requirements.
For details, visit the Medical Sciences Council website.
Recertification programme – Medical Sciences Council New Zealandexternal link
Find out more about life in New Zealand
We have pages dedicated to providing information to candidates about our recruitment process, what you need to work in New Zealand and key details about moving here.
Information for international candidates
Expanded scopes of practice
There are 2 existing expanded Scopes of Practice for Anaesthetic Technicians.
- Post-Anaesthetic Care.
- Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters.
Anaesthetic Technicians may practice in these areas on the completion of an accredited training pathway and the approval of the Medical Sciences Council.
New Zealand Anaesthetic Technicians' Societyexternal link
New Zealand Anaesthetic Technicians' Societyexternal link
Apply for an Anaesthetic Technician role
Whether you are trained in New Zealand, Australia or internationally, Health NZ can help you find an Anaesthetic Technician role. Choose from the options below to get started.
Some Registered Nurses can work as Anaesthetic Assistants in New Zealand
There are pathways for those from Australia, the UK and Singapore for Registered Nurses (RNs) to relocate to New Zealand and work as an Anaesthetic Assistant.
Some Registered Nurses can work as Anaesthetic Assistants in New Zealand
There are pathways for those from Australia, the UK and Singapore for Registered Nurses (RNs) to relocate to New Zealand and work as an Anaesthetic Assistant.
Requirements for Registered Nurses to work as Anaesthetic Assistants
There are qualification and training requirements for each pathway to ensure that overseas RNs meet New Zealand's standards for safe anaesthetic care, either through direct entry or additional training.
All overseas Registered Nurses should have at least 12 months of recent experience in anaesthetic assistance.
Over 50% of Anaesthetic Assistants in Australia are Registered or Enrolled Nurses, and all courses require experience in specialty areas of peri anaesthesia (anaesthetics and post-anesthetic care units) to obtain the qualification, meaning the skills are transferrable to practice in New Zealand.
Training and experience requirements
With a post-graduate qualification in Anaesthetics
Australian RNs with a postgraduate qualification in peri-anaesthesia nursing, for example from universities like the University of Technology Sydney or Monash University, are generally well-qualified for the Anaesthetic Assistant role in New Zealand.
- If you have recent or current practice, you can start employment immediately as an Anaesthetic Assistant without additional training.
Without post-graduate qualification
Australian RNs with anaesthetic experience but no postgraduate qualification must complete hospital training if you do not meet recent practice requirements.
- If you do not have recent experience, hospital training is required before you can practise here.
Depending on when you gained your qualification, there are different requirements for the training needed to practise in New Zealand.
Training and experience requirements
Registered Nurses trained after 2002 may have pursued post-registration education — you must have competencies equivalent to the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) curriculum, which is transferrable to Anaesthetic Technicians in New Zealand.
- If these qualifications are not recognised or you lack recent practice, you will need to complete training in a recognised hospital that aligns with New Zealand's standards.
Registered Nurses who obtained the English National Board (ENB 182) certification before 2002 are likely to have comparable skills to New Zealand's standards.
- If you have recent or current experience, you can go straight into employment as an Anaesthetic Assistant without additional training.
- If you lack recent practice, you will need to complete recognised hospital training.
Training requirements
The training of specialty-trained Anesthesia Registered Nurses in Singapore aligns well with the requirements for practicing in New Zealand.
Training is typically a minimum of 6 months guided by a workbook, competency assessments and sign-off by experienced preceptors. Training is enhanced through regular in-service education delivered by Anaesthetists and representatives of specialty anaesthesia equipment suppliers. The job description is equivalent to that of New Zealand Registered Anaesthetic Technicians.
Experience requirements
- If you have recent or current experience, you may require some additional education to align with New Zealand standards, such as machine theory, difficult airway management, and ANZCA emergency guidelines, which can be supported by our hospitals.
- If you lack recent practice, you will need to complete recognised hospital training.
Working as an Anaesthetic Technician in New Zealand
Hear from 2 of our Anaesthetic Technicians about what they love about their job, and the learning opportunities they have working for Health New Zealand.
Working as an Anaesthetic Technician in NZ
Explore New Zealand
Whether you prefer the vibrant urban centres of Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, the scenic landscapes of Otago and Nelson, or the close-knit community atmosphere in areas like Hawke's Bay and Taranaki, there’s a location to suit your lifestyle.
Explore New Zealand
Whether you prefer the vibrant urban centres of Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, the scenic landscapes of Otago and Nelson, or the close-knit community atmosphere in areas like Hawke's Bay and Taranaki, there’s a location to suit your lifestyle.