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ANZSCO 311217 · CSOL

Respiratory Technician: ANZSCO 311217

Official Home Affairs skilled occupation list · checked 21 October 2026

Respiratory Technician (ANZSCO 311217) is on the CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List). It can be used for the 482 and 186 visas, and the skills assessment is done by VETASSESS. Checked against the Home Affairs list on 21 October 2026.

Occupation lists

CSOL

Core Skills Occupation List

Permanent visa options

186

Visas that give permanent residence

Assessing authority

VETASSESS

Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services

Skill level

Level 2

Associate degree, advanced diploma or diploma, or at least 3 years of relevant experience

The job

What a respiratory technician does

Performs routine lung function tests; uses and maintains diagnostic equipment under the supervision of Respiratory Scientists. Monitors patients on ventilation or those undergoing sleep studies.

Also known as

  • Sleep Technician

Sepcialisation:

  • Neurophysiological Technician

Unit group 3112

Tasks of Medical Technicians

  • 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

Qualifications and experience

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

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 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.

  • AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or at least three years of experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)
  • 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)

Assessing authorities check your duties against these tasks, so your experience must match them, not only the job title.

Visa options

Which visas ANZSCO 311217 can be used for

From the Department of Home Affairs combined list of eligible skilled occupations. Every visa also has its own points, age, English, experience and skills assessment rules.

Skills assessment

Skills assessment for ANZSCO 311217

Most skilled visas need a positive skills assessment from the authority below before you can lodge. It must be for the same occupation you nominate.

Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS)

We prepare your VETASSESS assessment with you and check that your duties match ANZSCO 311217 before you apply.

States and territories

State and territory nomination

Home Affairs does not list Respiratory Technician for the 190 or 491, so states and territories cannot nominate it. Employer sponsorship is the main route.

Questions

ANZSCO 311217: common questions

What is the ANZSCO code for respiratory technician?
The ANZSCO code is 311217 (Respiratory Technician). Your occupation is decided by your actual duties, not your job title.
What does a respiratory technician do?
A respiratory technician performs routine lung function tests; uses and maintains diagnostic equipment under the supervision of Respiratory Scientists. Monitors patients on ventilation or those undergoing sleep studies. It is an ANZSCO skill level 2 occupation.
Which skilled occupation list is Respiratory Technician on?
Respiratory Technician is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), according to the Home Affairs combined list checked on 21 October 2026.
Can I get a 189 visa as a respiratory technician?
No. Home Affairs does not list Respiratory Technician for the 189, which is only open to some MLTSSL occupations. Routes that are open: employer sponsorship (482 or 186).
Is Respiratory Technician eligible for state nomination (190 or 491)?
No. Home Affairs does not list Respiratory Technician for the state nominated 190 or 491 visas. Routes that are open: employer sponsorship (482 or 186).
Can an employer sponsor a respiratory technician?
Yes. It is on the Core Skills Occupation List, so an approved employer can nominate it for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Core Skills stream and the subclass 186 Direct Entry stream.
Who assesses respiratory technician skills for Australian migration?
The assessing authority for ANZSCO 311217 is VETASSESS. You need a positive skills assessment before you lodge most skilled visas, and some 482 applicants also need one.

Talk to us

Is ANZSCO 311217 your occupation? Ask us about your options.

Tell us your duties, qualifications, experience and English scores. We will confirm the right occupation and the visas that fit.

The more context you give, the more useful the first conversation will be.

Source: Department of Home Affairs, checked 21 October 2026. Descriptions: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0). General information only, not immigration advice.

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