How to become an Otolaryngologist

Also called: Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon, Head and Neck Surgeon, Otorhinolaryngologist

Performs surgery to correct diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat.

Main tasks

• Examines patients and interprets diagnostic test and medical histories to determine the best surgical treatment
• Diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat
• Performs surgical procedures to correct ear, nose and throat conditions
• Prescribes non-surgical treatments, medications and preventative advice for ear, nose and throat conditions

Ways in

• University: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $203,060 a year
• About 10,500 people work in this job group now, and about 13,900 are projected by 2035. (+33.1%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Otolaryngologist?

Ways in include: Medicine & Dentistry degrees.

How much does an Otolaryngologist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $203,060 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Otolaryngologist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 33% by 2035, from about 10,500 to about 13,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Otolaryngologist?

Usually. 96% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Otolaryngologist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04