Life Science Technician – ANZSCO 311413
- Life Science Technicians identify and collect living organisms and conducts field and laboratory studies in support of Life Scientists or Environmental Scientists.
- Skill Level
- 2
- Alternative Titles
-
- Life Science Technical Officer
- Specialisations
-
- Biological Technical Officer
- Botanical Technical Officer
- Ecological Technical Officer
- Environmental Technical Officer
- Fisheries Technical Officer
- Forestry Technical Officer
- Forestry Technician
- Wood Technologist
- Zoology Technical Officer
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 Life Science Technician is Vocational Education and Training Assess (VETASSESS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:
- Qualification assessed at AQF Diploma level WITH a highly relevant field of study AND at least one year of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the past five years;
OR
- Qualification assessed at AQF Diploma level WITH an additional qualification at AQF Certificate IV in a highly relevant field of study AND at least one year of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the past five years
OR
- Qualification assessed at AQF Diploma WITHOUT a highly relevant field of study AND at least two years of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the past five years
- Applicants must meet both the qualification and employment requirements to obtain a positive skills assessment
- Highly relevant fields of study include:
- Life Sciences
- Biomedical Science
- Environmental Science
- Laboratory Technology
- Applied Science
- Biotechnology
According to VETASSESS, your pre-qualification experience may be considered in the skills assessment if it meets the following requirements:
- 3 years of relevant pre-qualification employment; and
- 1 year of highly relevant employment within the past five years
Potential Visa Pathways for Life Science Technician
| ANZSCO | Occupation | Skills Assessment | 189 | 190 | 485 | 491 (State) | 491 (Family) | 186 (Direct) | 407 (Training) | 494 (regional Sponsored) | 482 (TSS Short Term) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 311413 | Life Science Technician | VETASSESS | x | √ | x | √ | x | x | √ | √ | √ |
Group: 3114 Science Technicians
- Description
- Perform tests and experiments, and provide technical support functions to assist with research, design, production and teaching in chemistry, earth sciences, life sciences, and physical sciences.
- Tasks
-
- Preparing materials for experimentation such as freezing and slicing specimens and mixing chemicals
- Collecting information and samples
- Conducting field and laboratory experiments, tests and analyses
- Presenting results in graphic and written form by preparing maps, charts, sketches, diagrams and reports
- Performing routine mathematical calculations, and computations of measurements
- Controlling the quality and quantity of laboratory supplies by testing samples and monitoring usage
- Checking, calibrating and maintaining test equipment
- Participating in fabricating, installing and modifying equipment to ensure that critical standards are met
- Preparing experiments and demonstrations for science classes
- Skill Level
- In Australia and New Zealand:
Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the following qualifications and experience:
- Australia (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)
- AQF Associate Degree; or
- AQF Advanced Diploma; or
- AQF Diploma; or
- New Zealand (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)
- NSQF Diploma; or
Please note at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
- Australia (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)
- Occupations in this Group
-
- 311411 Chemistry Technician
- 311412 Earth Science Technician
- 311413 Life Science Technician
- 311414 School Laboratory Technician
- 311415 Hydrographer
- 311499 Science Technicians nec
How to calculate your points (skilled visas)
To apply for a skilled visa, you need to know how many points you can score. The minimum score to be eligible for application is 65 points. However, depending on your occupation, the competitiveness, and the states you are applying to, you might need to score more points to get an invite.
Points will be given to you based on the following:
- Age
- Educational Qualifications
- Points for Professional Year
- Points for NAATI- Credentialled Community Language
- Points for 2 Year Study
- Points for English
- Points for Regional Study
- Points for Work Experience
- Points for Specialist Educational Qualifications (STEM)
- Points for Partner
Click here to calculate your points.
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 |
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 INSURANCE
Must hold valid private health insurance.
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.
Be Sponsored
Must be sponsored by an Australian regional employer.
Skills assessment
Must have a positive skills assessment.
Location
Must live and work in regional areas in Australia.
Subclass 482 visa – Temporary Skill Shortage (Short Term)
The Subclass 482 visa is a Temporary Skill Shortage visa that requires a sponsorship from an Australian employer. The TSS short term stream visa allows to your live and work in Australia for up to 2 years each time you are granted this visa. You may apply for two 482 visas in the short stream onshore and subsequent ones offshore, as long as the employer is willing to sponsor you. The TSS 482 short term stream does not have a path to permanent residency throught the 186 visa.
Experience
At least 2 years work experience in the nominated occupation.
English Level
Must have IELTS atleast 5.0 with no band less than 4.5.
Age
There is no age requirement for this visa.
Be Sponsored
Must be sponsored by an Australian employer.
Skills assessment
Generally not required unless on this list.
Health and Character
Must meet health and character requirements.
Job Outlook
Study Pathway to Life Science Technician
To become a Life Science Technician you usually need a formal qualification in life science, laboratory technology or another related field. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Course Details
Bachelor of Environmental Biology
- Duration: 3 years
- Total Course Cost Approx: $128,850 AUD
Requirements
- Completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent
- English proficiency requirement – IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in writing
Related Courses
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Conservation
Book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find out more about your visa options and your path to Australian permanent residency or applying for citizenship.
