Life Science Technician

A Life Science Technician supports research, diagnostic, and quality assurance activities in laboratories, hospitals, pharmaceutical facilities, and research institutions. They prepare specimens, operate analytical equipment, perform routine tests, and maintain laboratory records in compliance with NATA accreditation standards and relevant health and safety regulations. The role requires proficiency with laboratory instrumentation, aseptic technique, and data management systems.

Prepare biological specimens (blood, tissue, urine, cultured cells) using standardised protocols for microscopy, culture, or biochemical analysis. Operate and calibrate laboratory instruments including spectrophotometers, haematology analysers, clinical chemistry analysers, and centrifuges. Perform routine diagnostic tests such as blood counts, biochemistry assays, and serological investigations following standard operating procedures. Conduct microbiological culture and identification procedures, including bacterial and fungal isolation and sensitivity testing. Maintain aseptic technique and sterile field protocols to prevent contamination and ensure specimen integrity. Record test results, quality control data, and instrument performance metrics in laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Prepare culture media, reagents, and standard solutions using volumetric glassware and analytical balances. Perform equipment maintenance tasks including cleaning, sterilisation of glassware, and preventive maintenance checks.

The standard entry pathway requires a diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree (ABS skill level 2). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You'll need an Associate Degree or Advanced Diploma to get your foot in the door, which takes 2 to 3 years of study. The work is repetitive and detail-obsessive: running the same tests day after day, following protocols exactly, with little room for creativity. Pay is modest and won't climb much over your career. Automation may take over more routine testing tasks over time.

Regional areas have fewer openings. Pathology work follows population density. Remote work is not an option for this role.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 3114, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Data Entry and Accuracycore
• Health Terminology Literacycore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Calibrate laboratory equipment
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Digital Literacy
• Electronic Document Management
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Process Documentation
• Risk Identification
• Verbal Communication
• Workload Self-Management

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

What Life Science Technician workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026