How to become a Sterilisation Technician
Cleans, sterilises and packages surgical instruments and other hospital equipment, soft goods and linen in a sterilisation service facility.
Main tasks
- Assembles, packages, inspects and sorts surgical instruments and other hospital equipment, soft goods and linen for cleaning and sterilisation
- Operates cleaning and sterilisation equipment according to guidelines
- Monitors sterilisation cycles and equipment functionality
- Maintains inventory of sterile supplies and restocks as needed
- Adheres to infection control and safety protocols
- Collaborates with Health Professionals to ensure that sterilised equipment is readily available for patient care
- Cleans and maintains the sterilisation service facility and equipment
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Sterilisation Services (HLT37015); Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services (HLT47015)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $80,808 a year
- About 13,600 people work in this job group now, and about 14,900 are projected by 2035. (+9%)
- 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 Sterilisation Technician?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Sterilisation Services; Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services.
How much does a Sterilisation Technician earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $80,808 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Sterilisation Technician a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2035, from about 13,600 to about 14,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Sterilisation Technician?
Usually not. Only 21% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Sterilisation Services; Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services.
Will AI change the work of a Sterilisation 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