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operating theatre technician
手术室技术员
ANZSCO occupation profile
ANZSCO 2022
Indicative Skill Level
In Australia and New Zealand:Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or at least three years of experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2) In New Zealand: NZQF Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2) In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. The occupations Pathology Collector / Phlebotomist and Operating Theatre Technician have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) In New Zealand: NZQF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or licensing may be required.
Unit group duty description
Medical Technicians operate anaesthetic, cardiac, operating theatre and medical testing equipment, perform and assist with laboratory tests, and fill prescriptions in support of Health Professionals.
- operating equipment used in diagnosing and monitoring disorders of the heart, lungs, kidneys, nervous system and hearing, and in anaesthesia
- undertaking and assisting with medical analytical procedures and assisting Anaesthetists and surgical teams
- recording the electrical activity of the heart, from which the heart rate is measured, and pattern and rhythm interpreted
- taking, collecting and labelling blood, urine and other samples from patients
- preparing and staining slides and tissue sections for blood and histological examination
- performing diagnostic tests on tissues and body fluids and analysing the chemical constituents of blood, urine, faeces and tissues
- testing for diseases by looking for the presence of antibodies and the products of immune response in samples
- setting up, checking and maintaining operating theatres, anaesthetic workstations, life support machines and associated equipment
- referring prescriptions to Pharmacists and assisting in preparing medications
- operating and maintaining equipment used in diagnosing and monitoring of breathing or sleep disorders
311214 operating theatre technician
Prepares and maintains an operating theatre and its equipment, assists the surgical team during operations and provides support to patients in the recovery room.
View the ABS source →ANZSCO content is a classification guide. Skills assessment requirements must be checked separately.
Visa pathways
Occupation-list availability for seven visa subclasses
List membership is not a finding of personal eligibility.
State and territory nomination
Eight jurisdictions, checked separately
Official sources checked 10 August 2026
- NSW 491 · Pathways 2/3
Occupation and four-digit unit group checked against the NSW lists.
Official source →- Victorian ROI · 491
Applicant ranking depends on profile and ROI selection.
Official source →Checked separately against the onshore and offshore occupation lists.
Official source →2026–27 occupation settings have not yet been published.
Official source →Applications are unavailable pending the 2026–27 program settings.
Official source →- TAS · profile-based pathways · 491
All occupations on the relevant federal 190/491 list can access at least one Tasmanian pathway, but invitation depends on pathway eligibility and ROI priority attributes. No general OSOP 491 invitations are planned for 2026–27.
Official source →- Canberra Matrix · 491
Occupation list match only; Matrix ranking and caps still apply.
Official source →- NT onshore/offshore · 491
The precise stream depends on residence, employment and offshore priority rules.
Official source →