As a science technician, you are employed to support teachers and students in the school's science department. You will use your administration and technical skills to ensure the science department runs efficiently and safely.
You are classified as a member of the non-teaching staff; all non-teaching staff must undergo a
Working with Children Check and hold a Blue Card to work in a school.
Role description
Your duties are described in the
role description for your classification.
Line manager
Your line manager should be your first contact if you experience any difficulties. It will normally be a science teacher or the Head of Department.
Employment conditions
Your conditions of employment are provided in the current
award and certified agreement (DoE employees only) applicable to your role.
Science technicians are required to have, or be studying towards completing, a diploma level qualification.
At a minimum:
- new science technicians must have, or be studying towards, the Diploma in Laboratory Operations (MSL50118). NOTE: the Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (MSL40018) is a mandatory pre-requisite to the Diploma, so anyone currently completing the Certificate IV is deemed to be working towards the Diploma and will be appointed at a TO1 salary level
- existing science technicians must:
- have an acceptable qualification (see details in the professional learning section); or
- have, or be studying towards, a Diploma in Laboratory Operations (MSL50118) and will be appointed at a TO2 salary level.
Professional learning
As part of negotiating the Department of Education Certified Agreement 2019, it was determined that science technicians will have a relevant diploma qualification to recognise the requirements of the role and be paid accordingly.
In accordance with the agreement, the department is supporting existing science technicians at the TO2 salary level with diploma level professional development and progression to the TO2 salary level.
Science technicians with existing qualifications may be able to progress to the next salary level without completion of the departmental diploma program. Other acceptable qualifications for science technicians include:
- Bachelor of Science
- Diploma of Laboratory Technology
- Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations
- Diploma of Science
- Associate Degree in Science
- Diploma of Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Bachelor of Pre-Med, Science and Health
- Bachelor of Medial and Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Education (Science)
- Bachelor of Forensic Science.
Professional interactions
You may have friendly relationships with families that are part of the school community; however it is important that you do not discuss students, their progress or behaviour with anyone other than the students' teachers.