Operating Theatre Technician (ANZSCO 311214)
Updated
What an Operating Theatre Technician does
Prepares and maintains an operating theatre and its equipment, assists the surgical team during operations and provides support to patients in the recovery room.
Key facts
- ANZSCO code
- 311214
- Skill level
- 3Certificate IV, or Certificate III with on-the-job training
- Skilled lists
- Regional Occupation List (ROL)
- Assessing authority
- VETASSESS
- National shortage
- No shortage
Visa options
Occupation eligibility is one requirement; each visa page links to the rest.
Points-tested
- Subclass 189 Skilled IndependentNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 190 Skilled NominatedNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 491, state or territory nominatedVia ROLEligible
- Subclass 491, family sponsoredNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
Employer-sponsored
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand, Core Skills streamNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, Direct Entry streamNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
Main tasks
- 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
Shortage by state
- NationalNo shortage
- ACTNo shortage
- NSWNo shortage
- NTNo shortage
- QLDNo shortage
- SANo shortage
- TASNo shortage
- VICNo shortage
- WANo shortage
State and territory nomination
For the 190 and 491, each state and territory also has its own occupation list.
Common questions
What does an Operating Theatre Technician do?
Prepares and maintains an operating theatre and its equipment, assists the surgical team during operations and provides support to patients in the recovery room. (ABS ANZSCO description.)
Is Operating Theatre Technician on the skilled occupation list?
Yes. Operating Theatre Technician (ANZSCO 311214) is on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 491 and 494 visas.
What is the ANZSCO code for Operating Theatre Technician?
311214. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.
How can an Operating Theatre Technician migrate to Australia?
The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Operating Theatre Technician for the Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 visas. Being on a list is one requirement among several; each visa's page links to Home Affairs for the rest.
Who assesses Operating Theatre Technician for an Australian visa?
VETASSESS, the skills assessing authority listed for 311214.
Is Operating Theatre Technician in demand in Australia?
Jobs and Skills Australia rated it "No shortage" nationally in its 2025 Occupation Shortage List, with ratings for each state and territory shown above.