How to become a Respiratory Technician
Also called: Sleep Technician
Performs routine lung function tests, and uses and maintains diagnostic equipment under the supervision of Respiratory and Sleep Scientists. Monitors patients on ventilation or those undergoing sleep studies.
Main tasks
- Performs routine lung function tests and assists with conducting sleep studies on patients
- Uses and maintains diagnostic equipment for respiratory tests
- Monitors patients on ventilation to ensure proper functioning
- Assists Respiratory and Sleep Scientists in analysing test results and making recommendations
Ways in
- University: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice (HLT57921)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $80,028 a year
- About 41,900 people work in this job group now, and about 49,200 are projected by 2035. (+17.4%)
- 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 Technician?
Ways in include: Medicine & Dentistry degrees; Science degrees; Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice.
How much does a Respiratory Technician earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $80,028 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Respiratory Technician a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 17% by 2035, from about 41,900 to about 49,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Respiratory Technician?
Not always. 38% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Medicine & Dentistry degrees; Science degrees; Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice.
Will AI change the work of a Respiratory Technician?
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