Medical Laboratory Scientist – ANZSCO 234611

Medical Laboratory Scientists conduct medical laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Skill Level
1
Alternative Titles
  • Hospital Scientist
  • Medical Scientific Officer
Specialisations
  • IVF Embryologist
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 Medical Laboratory Scientist is Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

  • There are two options to receive a positive skills assessment with AIMS:
    • OPTION 1
      • Applicant has completed an AIMS accredited qualification
        • A list of current accredited qualifications are on the AIMS website
      • Applicants will not be required to take the AIMS Medical Laboratory Scientist Professional Examination
    • OPTION 2
      • Applicants who do not hold an AIMS accredited qualification will be assessed in two stages: document assessment and written examination
      • Document Assessment
        • Applicant must have completed an acceptable science degree (AQF level 7 or 8 qualification); AND
          • There are subject requirements listed on the AIMS website that include foundational subjects, basic studies and advanced studies
        • Applicant must have two years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) diagnostic medical pathology laboratory work experience within the previous 5 years
      • Written Examination
        • If found eligible at stage 1, applicants will be required to sit the AIMS Medical Laboratory Scientist Professional Examination
        • Examination consists of:
          • Written short answer questions; and
          • Multiple-choice questions
        • The exam is three hours long and is held twice a year in March and September
        • The exam is set at a level expected of a Medical Laboratory Scientist with at least 2 years postgraduate experience
        • Applicants must obtain 50% to pass the examination
      • ALL APPLICANTS
        • English Language Test
          • All applicants must provide English language Test results
          • AIMS will only accept the following:
            • IETLS – minimum overall score of 7
            • TOEFL – total score of 95 points
            • Pearson PTE Academic – overall score of 65 points or higher
            • OET – minimum grade of B in each component
Potential Visa Pathways for Medical Laboratory Scientist
ANZSCOOccupationSkills Assessment189190485 491 (State)491 (Family)186 (Direct)407 (Training)494 (regional Sponsored)482 (TSS Medium Term)
234611Medical Laboratory ScientistAIMS

Group: 2346 Medical Laboratory Scientists

Description
Conduct medical laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.
Tasks
  • Preparing tissue sections for microscopic examination
  • Examining and analysing samples to study the effects of microbial infections
  • Developing techniques to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and respiratory or sleep disorders
  • Advising Medical Practitioners on the interpretation of tests and methods used in  diagnosis and treatment
  • Setting up the steps and rules of medical testing
  • Operating and maintaining laboratory and testing equipment
  • Maintaining laboratory and testing quality assurance and safety standards
  • Preparing scientific papers and report
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
  • 234611 Medical Laboratory Scientist
  • 234612 Respiratory Scientist
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:

Click here to calculate your points.

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 491 Family Sponsored visa – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

This 491 Family sponsored visa requires you to have a family member who is living in regional area to sponsor you. This visa offers pathway to permanent residency through visa subclass 191.

English

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

Age

Must be under 45 years of age.

be invited

Must lodge an EOI and be invited by DHA 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 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.

Job Outlook

  • $1,871 AUD

    Weekly Earnings

  • 71%

    Work full time hours

  • Stable

    Growth expected in the next 5 years

  • 71% female

    Gender share

  • 42 hours

    Average full-time

  • Very High Skill

    Skill level rating

Study Pathway to Medical Laboratory Scientist

To become a Medical Laboratory Scientist you usually have to complete a bachelor of medical laboratory science or a bachelor science majoring in biomedical science. Postgraduate study is also common. It should be noted that membership with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists may be useful.

Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

  • Duration: 4 years
  • Total Course Cost Approx: $130,430 AUD
  • Completion of Australian secondary education or equivalent
  • English proficiency requirement – IELTS 6.0 with no band less than 6.0 or equivalent
  • Previous studies in English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Science
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science
  • Bachelor of Medical Science

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.