Respiratory Technician

A respiratory technician operates and maintains respiratory therapy equipment in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings, assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with breathing disorders. They perform pulmonary function tests, manage oxygen therapy systems, and prepare and sterilise respiratory equipment in compliance with Australian health and infection control standards. Working under the supervision of respiratory physiologists or medical practitioners, they support clinical care delivery and maintain detailed equipment maintenance and patient records.

Conduct spirometry and other pulmonary function tests using calibrated equipment, recording measurements and ensuring quality control in line with NATA standards. Set up, operate, and monitor non-invasive ventilation systems including CPAP and BiPAP devices for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea and respiratory failure. Prepare and deliver oxygen therapy via nasal cannula, face masks, or high-flow systems, titrating flow rates according to clinical protocols. Assemble, test, and troubleshoot mechanical ventilators and respiratory equipment, identifying faults and performing preventive maintenance schedules. Clean, sterilise, and store respiratory equipment including nebulisers, humidifiers, endotracheal tubes, and circuits according to infection control guidelines and AS/NZS standards. Assist with sputum induction and collection of respiratory specimens, maintaining aseptic technique and chain of custody documentation. Calibrate and quality-assure blood gas analysers and pulse oximetry devices used in respiratory assessment. Maintain equipment inventory, order supplies, and document usage and maintenance schedules in hospital asset management systems.

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're also dealing with sick and sometimes distressed patients all shift, including nights and weekends, which takes an emotional toll. The certification and compliance burden is heavy too.

Regional hospitals have some openings but fewer opportunities. Practically speaking, metro public and private hospitals are where the work is. Remote work isn't an option.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 3112, 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.

• Active Listeningcore
• Advise customers on hearing aidscore
• Advise on rehabilitation exercisescore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Case Note Documentationcore
• Confidentiality and Privacy Compliancecore
• Data Entry and Accuracycore
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligencecore
• Health Record Administrationcore
• Health Terminology Literacycore
• Maintain records of clients' prescriptionscore
• Order supplies for audiology servicescore
• Perform technical tasks with great carecore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Practice Management Software (e.g., Best Practice, MedicalDirector)core
• Problem Solvingcore
• Produce impressions for ear mouldscore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Repair hearing aidscore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Types of audiological equipmentcore
• Use of specialised instruments in otorhinolaryngologycore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Acoustics
• Adapt hearing tests
• Adhere to organisational guidelines
• Adjust hearing aids
• Appointment Scheduling
• Communication related to hearing impairment
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• Digital Literacy
• Empathise with the healthcare user
• Geriatrics
• Health, safety and hygiene legislation
• Hearing aids
• Hearing loss
• Human ear
• Hygiene in a health care setting
• Incident Reporting
• Maintain laboratory equipment
• Medicare and DVA Billing
• Physiology of hearing
• Regulatory and Legislative Awareness
• Report Writing
• Risk Identification
• Team Collaboration
• Use e-health and mobile health technologies

• 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.

Last updated: 30 October 2026