Fitness to practise and placement requirements

If your AUT programme includes a fitness to practise or placement component, you'll need to meet requirements throughout your studies – set by legislation, your programme, placement providers, accreditation organisations and professional registration bodies.

Before a placement, you may need to complete checks or assessments to confirm you're ready to participate safely and meet your programme's essential requirements. You're also expected to comply with relevant professional standards, codes of conduct, and privacy and confidentiality requirements.

What if I have a disability or health condition?

A disability or health condition doesn't, by itself, stop you from going on placement or into professional practice. AUT will work with you – through an individualised process – to consider reasonable accommodations, adjustments and support, while maintaining essential academic, professional, regulatory and safety requirements.

What if I need support or my circumstances change?

Get in touch as soon as you can – whether you need support or something has changed that might affect your ability to meet a requirement. Contact your programme team or the Disability Support Service. Letting us know won't automatically result in exclusion or restriction.

What if I can't meet an essential requirement?

If an essential requirement can't be met despite reasonable accommodations, or a safety risk can't reasonably be managed, it may affect your ability to continue with placements or progress in your programme. AUT will be clear with you about the process, your options and any applicable review mechanism.

Does completing my programme guarantee professional registration?

No. Registration decisions are made independently by the relevant registration body.

These requirements exist because safe, professional practice matters – and so does your preparation for it.

Why do I need to meet these requirements if I've already been accepted?

Entry requirements get you into the programme. Fitness to practise requirements – set under legislation like the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act and the Children's Act 2014 – apply throughout your studies and are about your readiness for placements and professional practice. They're separate processes with different purposes.