Agricultural Scientist – ANZSCO 234112

Agricultural Scientists studies commercial plants, animals and cultivation techniques to enhance the productivity of farms and agricultural industries

Skill Level
1
Specialisations
  • Agronomist

Skills Assessment Requirement

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Agricultural Scientist is Vocational Education and Training Assess (VETASSESS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

  • A qualification which is assessed as comparable to the educational level an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree or higher in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
  • Highly relevant major fields of study for a bachelor degree include:
    • Agricultural Science
    • Animal Science & Management
    • Crop Science
    • Viticulture
    • Plant and Animal Production
    • Precision Agriculture
  • A major in Agribusiness will be considered highly relevant if focused on agricultural science (not business, finance or economics).
  • Applicants must also have at least one year of highly relevant, post-qualification employment, at an appropriate skill level completed in the last five years.

Did you know?

Qualifications in certain science fields* may be accepted on a case by case basis if the program consists of sufficient subjects in Agricultural systems, Agronomy, Animal science, Agricultural chemistry, Grazing systems, Plant cultivation, Primary production and other relevant subjects in the specialised field.

*Those fields of study which may be considered include: Horticulture, Biotechnology, Veterinary Science, Agricultural Engineering, Botany / Zoology, Environmental Science, Irrigation / Soil Science, Forestry

Potential Visa Pathways for Agricultural Scientist

ANZSCOOccupationSkills Assessment189190485 491 (State)491 (Family)186 (Direct)407 (Training)494 (regional Sponsored)482 (TSS Medium Term)
234112Agricultural ScientistVETASSESS

Group: 2341 Agricultural and Forestry Scientists

Description
advise farmers, rural industries and government on aspects of farming, develop techniques for increasing productivity, and study and develop plans and policies for the management of forest areas.
Tasks
  • collecting and analysing data and samples of produce, feed, soil and other factors affecting production
  • advising Farmers and Farm Managers on techniques for improving the production of crops and livestock, and alternative agricultural options
  • advising farmers on issues such as livestock and crop disease, control of pests and weeds, soil improvement, animal husbandry and feeding programs
  • studying the environmental factors affecting commercial crop production, pasture growth, animal breeding, and the growth and health of forest trees
  • studying the effects of cultivation techniques, soils, insects and plant diseases on animal, crop and forest production
  • developing procedures and techniques for solving agricultural problems and improving the efficiency of production
  • managing forest resources to maximise their long-term commercial, recreational and environmental benefits for the community
  • studying the propagation and culture of forest trees, methods for improving the growth of stock, and the effects of thinning on forest yields
  • preparing plans for reafforestation and devising efficient harvesting systems
  • investigating, planning and implementing management procedures to cope with the effects of fires, floods, droughts, soil erosion, insect pests and diseases
Skill Level
Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).
Occupations in this Group
  • 234111 Agricultural Consultant
  • 234112 Agricultural Scientist
  • 234113 Forester (Aus) / Forest Scientist (NZ)

Contact us today for a commitment free briefing with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find more about your visa options.

189 visa – Skilled Independent Visa

This 189 visa allows you to live, work and study in Australia permanently. It is a points-tested visa. The minimum score to apply is 65 points. However, based on previous invitation rounds, you would need to achieve a higher score to have a better chance of obtaining an invitation.

In short, to be eligible for visa 189, you need to meet the following criteria:

Immigration Points

Must score at least 65 points. Due to the competitive nature of this visa, a pool mark does not guarantee an invitation to apply.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age. There is however no age limit for the 189 NZ stream.

be invited

Must lodge the EOI and be invited by the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the visa.

Skills assessment

Must have positive skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific assessing authority.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.

Subclass 190 visa– Skilled Nominated Visa & Subclass 491 visa – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

To apply for visa subclass 190 and visa subclass 491, you need to have a nomination from the state/territory government where you want to live and work. Each State and Territory have individual requirements that must be met in order to receive nomination. (See below)

While the 190 visa is a permanent visa, subclass 491 visa gives you right to live and work in regional Australia for 5 years with a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa.

Another difference between the 190 and 491 visa is that you can only apply for visa subclass 491 if you are living and working in regional areas in Australia, while it is not a requirement if you are applying for the 190 visa.

In summary, to be eligible for 190 visa, you need to meet the following criteria:

Immigration Points

Must score at least 65 points, or higher points if the state or territory requires.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, or higher if the state or territory requires.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age.

be invited

Must lodge an EOI and be invited by the state or territory and then apply for the visa.

Skills assessment

Must have positive skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific assessing authority.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.


To check if the state/ territory government requirements for your occupation, refer to the following links

State/ Territory
Links to requirements
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Tasmania
Queensland

485 Visa – Graduate Temporary Visa (Graduate Work Stream)

The 485 visa is a work visa available to international students who have completed two years of study in Australia. It is an 18-month visa that has full work rights and full study rights. It also allows you to travel freely to and from Australia throughout the validity of the visa.

To be eligible for visa 485, you need to meet the following criteria:

Age

You must be under 50 years of age.

Education

Must have completed a two-year CRISCOS registered course(s).

Subclass 186 visa – Employer Nomination Scheme

If you have an employer who is willing to sponsor you, you may be eligible for a Subclass 186 visa. This visa is permanent and will allow you to live, work and study in Australia indefinitely. To be eligible for this visa, you need to have at least 3 years of working experience in your nominated occupation and a positive skills assessment. Alternatively, if you are a holder of a Subclass 457 or TSS visa, you can apply for Subclass 186 after working for your employer for at least 3 years under the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

Experience

At least 3-year fulltime work experience in the nominated occupation.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age, unless exempt.

Be Sponsored

Must be sponsored by an Australian employer.

Skills assessment

Must have a positive skills assessment. Exemptions apply for the 186TRT.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.

407  Training Visa

The 407 visa a short stay visa for individuals to participate in occupational training or professional development in Australia. This visa is generally valid to stay in Australia for 2 years. Please note this visa is subject to condition 8102 which forbids work apart from the training that is specified in the visa application. You are also required to maintain health insurance whilst in Australia.

To be eligible for visa 407, you need to meet the following criteria:

GTE

You must prove that you genuinely stay in Australia for training and will depart when you complete the training.

English Level

Must have Functional English, i.e. IELTS overall 4.5 with no band less than 4, or equivalent.

Age

Must be over 18 years old.

Be Sponsored

You must be sponsored by an approved temporary activities sponsor – Can be an employer or a commonwealth agency

Health and Character

Must meet health and character requirements.

Subclass 494 visa – Skilled Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa

You can apply for subclass 494 if you have a regional employer who is willing to sponsor you. To be eligible for this visa, you must have at least 3 years of working experience in your nominated occupation and have a relevant skills assessment. With this visa, there is a requirement that you must work for the employer who is sponsoring you.

This visa provides pathway to permanent residency through the 191 visa.

Experience

At least 3 years full-time work experience in the nominated occupation.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age, unless exempt.

Be Sponsored

Must be sponsored by an Australian regional employer.

Subclass 482 visa – Temporary Skill Shortage (Medium Term) visa

The Subclass 482 visa is a Temporary Skill Shortage visa that requires a sponsorship from an Australian employer. This visa allows to your live and work in Australia for up to 4 years. You may apply for as many 482 visas as you want, as long as the employer is willing to sponsor you.

English Level

Must have IELTS overall of atleast 5.0 with no band less than 5.0.

Age

There is no age requirement for this visa.

Health and Character

Must meet health and character requirements.

Tasks Include:

  • Studies the environmental factors affecting commercial crop production, pasture growth, animal breeding, and the growth and health of forest trees.
  • Studies the effects of cultivation techniques, soils, insects and plant diseases on animal, crop and forest production.
  • Develops procedures and techniques for solving agricultural or horticultural problems and improving the efficiency of production.

Job Outlook

  • $2,218

    Weekly Earnings

  • 87%

    Work full time hours

  • Moderate

    Growth expected in the next 5 years

  • 28% female

    Gender share

  • 45 hours

    Average full-time

  • Very High skill

    Skill level rating

Study Pathway to Agricultural Scientist

To become an agricultural scientist you usually have to complete a degree in agricultural science, or a science degree with a major in agriculture-related studies. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.

In a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, you will;

  • learn how to respond to global food shortages and a changing climate with sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, modern agribusiness and new technology
  • practice the latest methods, from adapting genes and cells for new crops to the business of livestock, and explore emerging trends, like vertical farming

Bachelor of Agricultural Science

  • Duration: 3 years full time
  • Total Course Cost Approx: $146,635 AUD
  • Completed secondary education recently (within the past two years)
  • Completed some or all of a higher education qualification
  • Completed some or all of a VET qualification

English language requirements

  • TOEFL – you need a score of 577 or more including a score of 4.5 in the Test of Written English for a paper-based test, or a score of 79 and scores of 21 for writing, 18 for speaking, 13 for reading, 13 for listening for an internet-based test.
  • IELTS – you need a score of 6.5 or more in the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no bands less than 6.0. Pearson Test of English – you need an overall score of between 58-64 inclusive and achieve no PTE communicative skills score below 50. Cambridge English, Advanced/Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – you need a Cambridge English Score of 176 with no skill below 169.
  • Bachelor of Science