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Sterilisation technician salary: how it compares to the national average

The ABS does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for sterilisation technicians (ANZSCO 711914), so a precise salary cannot be given; the role is typically covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Where does a sterilisation technician salary sit against the national average?

If you are a sterilisation technician—or you employ one—you might be wondering how the pay compares to the typical Australian full-time worker. The short answer is that no official median or average figure exists for this specific occupation. The ABS does not publish a median weekly earnings estimate for 6-digit ANZSCO occupations such as Sterilisation Technician (711914). However, we can use the available data to give a reasonable picture of where this role likely falls.

What the data tells us

The most recent ABS Average Weekly Earnings release (May 2026) puts the national full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 per week, which works out to about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52). This is the line that Average line uses as its benchmark. The full-time median (from the ABS Employee Earnings survey, August 2025) is lower, at about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 per year.

Sterilisation technicians are classified under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. A full-time adult sterilisation technician paid at the award base rate would earn at least that amount, but actual pay is often higher due to experience, shift penalties, and enterprise agreements.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that 67% of sterilisation technicians are female, 42% work part-time, and the median age is 50. The part-time share is high, which tends to pull average earnings down. The average full-time hours worked per week for this occupation is 41 hours, slightly below the all-occupations average of 44 hours.

What would move this pay above or below the average?

Several factors can push a sterilisation technician's salary above or below the national full-time average of $108,352.

Above the average:

  • Public sector employment: The public sector full-time average is $2,263.10 per week (about $117,681 per year). Public hospitals and health services often pay above award rates.
  • Location: The state averages vary significantly. The ACT has the highest full-time average at about $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. A sterilisation technician working in these states, especially in a public hospital, could earn well above the national average.
  • Overtime and penalties: The award provides for overtime, weekend, and public holiday penalties. Working regular overtime can boost annual earnings substantially.
  • Experience and seniority: With a median age of 50, many sterilisation technicians have decades of experience. Senior technicians or those in supervisory roles may earn significantly more than the base rate.

Below the average:

  • Private sector: The private sector full-time average is $2,034.10 per week (about $105,773 per year), already below the national average. Private hospitals and clinics may pay closer to award rates.
  • Part-time work: 42% of sterilisation technicians work part-time. Part-time earnings are not directly comparable to full-time averages, but they will naturally be lower.
  • State differences: Tasmania has the lowest full-time average at about $96,008, and South Australia is at $102,450. Working in these states would likely keep pay below the national average.
  • Award-only pay: If an employer does not have an enterprise agreement and pays only the minimum award rate, the annual salary would be around $52,000–$55,000, well below the national average.

How to get a more precise figure

Because the ABS does not publish a median for this occupation, the best approach is to check your specific award or enterprise agreement. The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 includes classification levels and pay rates. You can also look at job advertisements for sterilisation technicians in your state to see typical advertised salaries.

For a broader view of how different occupations compare, visit our job medians page. You can also see how state averages differ on our states and territories page.

The bottom line

A sterilisation technician's salary is likely to fall somewhere between the national minimum wage and the national full-time average, with many workers earning around the all-employees median of $74,100. Those in the public sector, in high-paying states, or with significant overtime can push their earnings above the $108,352 average. Without a published median, it is important to use award rates and local job ads as your guide.

For more detail on how the figures are set, see our data page. If you want to place your own salary on the line, use the line tool.

Questions

What is the average salary for a sterilisation technician in Australia?

There is no published median or average salary specific to sterilisation technicians. The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours does not produce figures for 6-digit ANZSCO occupations. The best reference is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which sets minimum rates. As of 1 July 2026, award minimums rose by 4.75%, so a full-time adult rate under that award would be at least the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Actual pay may be higher depending on experience, employer, and location.

How does a sterilisation technician's pay compare to the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Sterilisation technicians are likely to earn below this average because the role is classified as a technician-level occupation under the award, and the median age of workers is 50, suggesting many are experienced but the occupation's median earnings are not published. For context, the all-employees median is about $74,100 per year, so a sterilisation technician's pay could be around that level or higher depending on overtime and penalties.

What factors could push a sterilisation technician's salary above the average?

Several factors could lift pay above the national average: working in the public sector (public sector full-time average is $2,263.10 per week, or about $117,681 per year), working in a high-paying state like the ACT ($119,090 average) or Western Australia ($115,825), accumulating significant overtime or shift penalties (the award provides for these), or moving into a supervisory or management role. Conversely, part-time work (42% of sterilisation technicians work part-time) and private sector employment (private sector full-time average is $2,034.10 per week) would tend to keep pay below the national average.

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