AUT is a busy, ambitious place – and the people who make it run deserve real support. Our benefits for academic and professional staff reflect that: genuine investment in your growth, your wellbeing and your life outside work.

The benefits here are substantial and designed to matter at every stage of your career. Whether you're looking to develop your skills, look after your wellbeing or plan for the future, AUT has you covered. Be part of a workplace that looks after its people, grows their potential and honours the mana each person brings.

Grow and learn

Free study

Study at AUT without paying tuition fees – a genuine investment in where you want to take your career.

To qualify for free study at AUT under the Nil Fees Scheme, you must:

  • Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
  • Be a permanent staff member working at least 0.6 FTE (or equivalent)
  • Have manager approval for work-related study

Your study must be part of a Ministry-funded programme (not a short course) and excludes:

  • Professional postgraduate programmes from the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law (Research postgraduate programmes are included)
  • All AUT Online programmes
  • PhD extensions (requires approval to be funded by your department or school)

Programmes excluded from the Nil Fees Scheme are subject to change – check with your manager which programmes are covered. Any costs beyond the tuition fees must be covered by you (either personally or through your AUT professional development funds).

Funds for professional development and training

All permanent staff and fixed-term employees (6 months or more) get dedicated time and funding for professional development, including AUT’s in-house development programmes, as well as funding for external training programmes and scholarships.

The in-house staff development offer at AUT is substantial. Most development programmes are free to attend, and include:

  • Programmes covering communication, coaching, leadership, wellbeing and diversity
  • One-on-one coaching and mentoring
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • Research capability pathways
  • Academic career planning
  • Professional progression support.

Sabbaticals are available to most academic staff – dedicated time away from teaching to pursue research, write and reconnect with their discipline.

Professional staff can also attend Navigate, AUT's annual professional staff conference, to connect with others, build skills and deepen their sense of purpose in their role.

Thrive and belong

Workplace wellbeing

Wellbeing here is part of how we work; it's built into our culture. All AUT staff have access to:

  • Free mindfulness and wellness courses
  • Free confidential counselling through our Employee Assistance Programme
  • Free access to three AUT gyms and group fitness classes across our campuses

Flexible working

While most AUT roles are campus-based, flexibility is genuinely supported where it works – part-time hours, job sharing, flexitime or working from home, depending on your role and team.

Generous leave

Depending on your employment type, AUT offers 22 or 25 days of annual leave (pro-rata as applicable).

Special leave schemes

Permanent full-time staff can spread their leave further with our special leave schemes: ‘Four for five’ (work for 4 years, followed by a year’s leave) and ‘Two for two-and-a-half’ (work for 2 years, followed by 6 months’ leave) options. This means you work at 80% pay for an agreed period, then enjoy paid leave. It’s a practical way to rest, travel or recharge. It’s our way of recognising the value of renewal.

Staff discounts and perks

Staff benefits also include:

  • Banking packages
  • Low premiums on different types of insurance
  • Discounted medical insurance with Southern Cross
  • Free Microsoft Office 365 for home use
  • Discounts from external organisations on other goods and services

Using AUT facilities and services

When you work at AUT you can also make use of:

Plan for your future

KiwiSaver

If you’re choosing to make KiwiSaver contributions from your pay, AUT will match contributions to 3.5%.

If you’re over 65 and have been in KiwiSaver for more than 5 years, we will continue to pay the employer contribution percentage.

City Campus of AUT in Auckland, NZ