How to become a School Laboratory Technician
Also called: School Laboratory Manager
Provides the knowledge, skills and support necessary for practical science activities to be run in schools, and ensures the safety of staff and students in science laboratories, with a focus on chemical and laboratory management.
Main tasks
- Prepares, distributes and sets up samples and/or demonstrations, equipment and associated scientific materials for practical teaching laboratory use
- Assists science teaching staff with demonstrations, instruction of students on the use of equipment during science experiments, and the application of safety measures
- Maintains scientific teaching resources, classrooms, storerooms, preparation rooms and laboratories in a clean, safe, orderly and secure manner
- Operates laboratory equipment and performs routine operator maintenance and instrument calibrations as required, in compliance with manufacturer specifications
- Maintains a safe laboratory waste storage and disposal system in accordance with departmental guidelines
- Works within a budget to ensure that laboratories have the correct equipment to carry out practicals
- Performs record keeping and stocktaking of equipment and materials within the science department
- Ensures personal protective equipment is in working order, communicates safety concerns to teachers, and writes standard operating procedures for equipment and processes to ensure student and staff safety
Ways in
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
- University: Health & Public Health degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (MSL40122); Diploma of Laboratory Technology (MSL50122); Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Management (MSL60122); Advanced Diploma of Work Health and Safety (BSB60619); Certificate III in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support (HLT37121); Certificate III in Laboratory Skills (MSL30122); Certificate III in Pathology Assistance (HLT37415); Certificate III in Sterilisation Services (HLT37015)
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $93,288 a year
- About 22,400 people work in this job group now, and about 24,400 are projected by 2035. (+8.6%)
- AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a School Laboratory Technician?
Ways in include: Science degrees; Health & Public Health degrees; Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques; Diploma of Laboratory Technology.
How much does a School Laboratory Technician earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $93,288 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a School Laboratory Technician a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2035, from about 22,400 to about 24,400 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a School Laboratory Technician?
Not always. 54% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Science degrees; Health & Public Health degrees; Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques; Diploma of Laboratory Technology.
Will AI change the work of a School Laboratory Technician?
AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.
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