How to become a Respiratory or Sleep Scientist

Conducts lung function tests and sleep studies to support the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory and sleep disorders, in consultation with other medical professionals.

Main tasks

• Performs routine and complex lung function tests, and overnight sleep studies and daytime tests to assess respiratory or sleep disorders
• Interprets and analyses respiratory function and sleep test data to provide accurate and timely reports
• Collaborates with other medical professionals to develop treatment plans based on test results
• Measures and evaluates the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions
• Calibrates and prepares equipment used in the performance of respiratory function and sleep tests, and maintains equipment to optimum hygiene standards
• May assist in the development and implementation of respiratory and sleep research projects

Ways in

• University: Science degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• University: Health & Public Health degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $96,096 a year
• About 14,900 people work in this job group now, and about 18,500 are projected by 2035. (+24.7%)
• 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 a Respiratory or Sleep Scientist?

Ways in include: Science degrees; Health & Public Health degrees.

How much does a Respiratory or Sleep Scientist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $96,096 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Respiratory or Sleep Scientist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 25% by 2035, from about 14,900 to about 18,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Respiratory or Sleep Scientist?

Usually. 85% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Respiratory or Sleep Scientist?

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