What is the minimum pay for a sterilisation technician in Australia?

If you are not covered by an award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies: $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) from 1 July 2026. However, most sterilisation technicians are covered by a modern award, such as the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates. Check your award classification using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.

Is there a published average or median sterilisation technician salary?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia do not publish median weekly earnings for sterilisation technicians (ANZSCO 711914) because the data is not available. The 2021 Census shows 4,800 people work in this role, with a median age of 50 and 67% female. Without a published median, you cannot rely on a survey average; your pay should be based on your award or agreement.

Does superannuation count as part of my sterilisation technician salary?

No. Superannuation guarantee contributions (currently 12% of ordinary time earnings) are paid by your employer on top of your gross salary. They are not part of your take-home pay or your minimum wage entitlement. Always compare your hourly or weekly rate excluding super.

Sterilisation Technician Salary: Pay Floors, Awards, and How to Check Your Rate

No published median earnings for sterilisation technicians; the legal minimum is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour unless a higher modern award or enterprise agreement applies.

Understanding the Sterilisation Technician Salary in Australia

When searching for a sterilisation technician salary, it is important to separate the legal minimum from award rates, survey averages, and negotiated pay. Sterilisation technicians (ANZSCO 711914) clean, sterilise, and package surgical instruments and hospital equipment. They work mainly in Health Care and Social Assistance, with 58% employed full-time and an average full-time week of 41 hours Jobs and Skills Australia.

The Legal Minimum Pay Floor

All employees in Australia are entitled to a minimum wage. For award-free and agreement-free workers, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (38 ordinary hours). Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the minimum $33.05 per hour. However, most sterilisation technicians are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates. The Fair Work Commission sets these rates; the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces them.

If you are covered by an award, your minimum pay is the classification rate in that award, not the national minimum wage. For example, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 likely applies to many sterilisation technicians. Introductory rates (first 6 months) under that award cannot fall below $25.74 per hour from 1 July 2026. Always check your specific award classification using the Rate tables on this site or the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.

Award Rates vs Survey Averages

Unlike some occupations, there is no published median weekly earnings figure for sterilisation technicians. The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours does not produce data for 6-digit ANZSCO occupations. Jobs and Skills Australia also lists median weekly earnings as N/A. This means any online salary figure you see for sterilisation technicians is likely an estimate or from a private survey, not an official statistic. Do not rely on such figures to negotiate your pay.

Instead, focus on the award rate that applies to your classification and experience level. If you work under an enterprise agreement, that agreement may provide higher rates than the award. Your employer must pay at least the minimum under the applicable award or agreement.

How to Check Your Pay

Identify your award. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s online tool or check Which minimum wage applies on this site. Most sterilisation technicians are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 or the Nurses Award 2020 if working in a hospital.
Find your classification level. Awards have different pay levels based on duties and qualifications. For example, a sterilisation technician may be classified as a Health Professional (Level 1 or 2) or under a specific support services classification.
Compare your hourly rate. Your ordinary hourly rate (excluding penalties, overtime, and allowances) should be at least the award rate for your classification. Remember that superannuation (12% of ordinary time earnings) is paid on top of this rate.
Check for junior or introductory rates. If you are under 21 or in your first 6 months, lower rates may apply. Award-free junior rates are set by age (see Guides for the full table).

Superannuation Is Extra

When discussing a sterilisation technician salary, remember that superannuation guarantee contributions are an employer payment on top of your gross pay. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12%. This is not part of your take-home pay or your minimum wage entitlement. Always compare base rates excluding super.

What If You Are Award-Free?

If you are genuinely not covered by any modern award or enterprise agreement (rare for this occupation), the national minimum wage applies. However, most employers in health care will be covered by an award. If you believe you are award-free, seek advice from the Fair Work Ombudsman or a union.

Summary

No official median salary exists for sterilisation technicians.
The legal minimum is $26.44 per hour (national minimum wage) but award rates are usually higher.
Check your award classification to find your correct minimum rate.
Superannuation is paid on top of your salary.
Use the How the figures work page to understand how we calculate pay floors.

For more topics related to pay in health care, visit our Topics page.