The National Airway Training Course for Anaesthetic Trainees (NATCAT) is Australia’s first, largest and longest‑running national airway course designed specifically for clinicians involved in airway management.
NATCAT is a full‑day, hands‑on training course that covers all aspects of airway management, from basic techniques through to advanced approaches.
The course focuses on developing a structured and safe approach to airway management, combining sound clinical decision‑making with proficient technical skills.
Who the course is for
NATCAT is open to:
- anaesthetic trainees and residents
- intensive care (ICU) trainees and residents
- emergency department (ED) trainees and residents
If you are a trainee and airway management is part of your clinical practice, this course is designed for you.
What the course covers
The course uses a range of learning methods to support different learning styles, including:
- Short pre‑course reading (approximately 30 minutes)
- Practical skills stations
- High‑fidelity simulation
- Fibreoptic dexterity bench training
- Problem‑based learning discussions
- A take‑home course manual and resources
Training is designed to be practical, clinically relevant and applicable to everyday practice.
Course structure and delivery
In NATCAT, participants work in small groups to promote practical learning, close supervision and regular feedback.
Each course is supported by a large and diverse faculty of around 40 people, including:
- anaesthesia and intensive care specialists from teaching departments throughout Australasia
- members of the Airway Management Special Interest Group executive
- department directors
- supervisors of training
- college examiners
All faculty members are enthusiastic teachers and mentors with extensive experience in teaching and practical knowledge of airway management.
Our NATCAT course has a high instructor‑to‑participant ratio (one instructor per 2 participants), which allows for individual attention and support for participants throughout the day.
Course convenor
Professor Reny Segal
Clinical Professor, University of Melbourne
Staff Specialist, Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management,
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Course availability
The NATCAT course is currently not open for registrations.
Updates about future course dates and registrations will be published on this page or on our Events page when available.
300 Grattan St, Parkville, Victoria