Last Updated on September 7, 2026 by Ozlinks Education
Migrate to Australia as a Medical Laboratory Scientist
Skill Level: 1 | Assessing Authority: AIMS
The occupation ANZSCO 243611 Medical Laboratory Scientists is currently in high demand in Australia, as it is listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Australia provides strong career prospects and clear pathways to permanent residency for Medical Laboratory Scientists due to an ongoing national workforce shortage.
High Demand and Job Security
- Urgent Shortages: Pathology networks and hospitals across Australia face a continuous demand for trained specialists in microbiology, haematology, biochemistry, and molecular testing.
- Skilled Occupation Lists: The profession is featured on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), meaning the country actively seeks international talent to fill critical gaps. The key visa options available include the Skilled Independent 189, the Skilled Nominated 190, and regional visas 491 and employer sponsor regional visa 494.
Job Descriptions
In Australia, medical laboratory scientists work in the field of laboratory medicine and usually find work in medical pathology labs. They use information and methods from many scientific fields to help doctors diagnose, treat, and avoid diseases in people by doing medical lab tests on blood, body fluids, and tissues. They are responsible for making sure that test results are accurate and reliable. Part of this job may include figuring out what the results mean and coming up with new ways to test.
Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks include
Highly relevant tasks include, but are not limited to:
- 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 reports
Alternative Titles:
- Hospital Scientist
- Medical Scientific Officer
Specialisation:
- IVF Embryologist
ANZSCO Skill Level 1
The occupation ANZSCO 234611 Medical Laboratory Scientist requires a qualification that is assessed as comparable to the ANZSCO Skills Level 1 of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) bachelor’s degree or a higher degree.
- bachelor’s degree or higher degree and in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
Group Occupations:
Skills Assessment Pathway
The skills assessment for the occupation of medical laboratory scientist is conducted by the assessing authority, the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS). There are three skills assessment pathways available for migrants.
Option 1 – AIMS Accredited Degree
Option 1 for an AIMS skills assessment is intended for individuals who have completed an AIMS-accredited program. This means that individuals who hold a relevant Australian qualification will not need to take the AIMS medical laboratory scientist professional examination.
A list of current AIMS accredited programs can be found on the AIMS website.
Option 2 – Acceptable Science Degree
Option 2 for the AIMS skills assessment is designed for individuals who do not possess an AIMS-accredited degree but do have an Acceptable Science Degree. Applicants in this category will be required to take the AIMS Medical Laboratory Scientist Professional Examination. The assessment consists of two stages:
Stage 1: a document assessment, and
Stage 2: is a written examination (the AIMS Medical Laboratory Scientist Professional Examination).
Stage 1: Document Assessment
The minimum requirements are:
- That an applicant has completed an acceptable science degree (AQF level 7 or 8 qualification); and
- A minimum of two (2) years full-time (or part-time equivalent) postgraduate professional experience in a medical pathology laboratory, one (1) year of which must be completed wholly within the five (5) year period immediately prior to applying for assessment will usually be assessed as eligible to sit the AIMS Professional Examination.
Stage 2: Professional Examination
If applicants pass stage 1 Option 2, they will be required to take the AIMS Medical Laboratory Scientist Professional Examination.
- The AIMS Professional Examination is a Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) paper consisting of 150 single response questions to be completed in three (3) hours.
- The examination consists of seven (7) sections covering the following professional disciplines: Anatomical Pathology*, Chemical Pathology*, Genomic Pathology, Haematology*, Immunopathology, Medical Microbiology* and Transfusion
Science*. Questions MUST be attempted in all sections and those disciplines asterisked (*) MUST be passed (i.e., at least 50% in each discipline). To pass the examination overall, 80 questions MUST be answered correctly.
Option 3 – Postgraduate studies with medical laboratory experience
Option 3 is for applicants who do not hold an AIMS accredited degree, or who do not have a degree/s with subjects that meet the AIMS minimum requirement for an acceptable science degree, or meet the criteria of being relevant to pathology, may be assessed as a Medical Laboratory Scientist if their qualifications and skills satisfy the following requirements.
Applicants will be assessed in two stages:
Stage 1 a document assessment, and
Stage 2 a written examination (the AIMS Medical Laboratory Scientist Special Professional Examination).
Stage 1: Document Assessment
The minimum requirements are:
Academic qualifications:
A science degree/s with subjects relevant to life science or biological science or medical /biomedical science or veterinary science; and
- a professional discipline specific taught Master degree (AQF level 9) with a pathology laboratory based research project; or
- a professional doctorate (AQF level 10) in a professional discipline; or
- a Doctor of Philosophy (AQF level 10) that has a research topic and laboratory techniques with application in the conduct of medical laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and prevention of human disease.
Work Experience:
Evidence of at least two (2) years full-time (or part-time equivalent) of relevant post-doctoral employment at the required skill level in a medical pathology laboratory, one (1) year of which must be completed wholly within the five (5) year period immediately prior to applying for assessment.
Stage 2: Professional Examination
If applicants pass stage 1 Option 3, they will be required to take the AIMS Medical Laboratory Scientist Special Professional Examination.
- The AIMS special professional examination is an essay, short answer and multiple-choice question paper to be completed in two (2) hours.
- Questions in this paper focus on pathology laboratory operations and include topics on laboratory accreditation, quality control, quality assurance and quality systems, pre-analytic factors impacting laboratory results, regulations and requirements governing laboratory operations e.g., health and safety, safe transport of samples, waste disposal, ethics, integrity of patient information etc. The pass mark for this paper is 50%.
English Language Requirement
All applicants must provide an English proficiency test report within three (3) years from the test date. AIMS will only accept one (1) of the following English language test reports:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic or General Training) - at least 7.0 or higher for each of the 4 test components, or
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - At least 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking (total score of 98 points or higher), or
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - At least 65 points for each of the 4 test components, or
- Occupational English Test (OET) - At least a B grade for each of the 4 test components, or
- Cambridge C1 Advanced test - at least 185 in each of the 4 test components.
Process Time
The current processing time for skill assessment is 16 weeks from the date of submission.
Application Fees
|
Skills Assessment Application Fee |
Applying from outside Australia (AUD excluding GST) |
Applying from within Australia (AUD including GST) |
|
AIMS Skills Assessing Authority |
$900.00 |
$990.00 |
|
Professional Examination |
$800.00 |
$880.00 |
Potential Visa Pathways for Medical Laboratory Scientist
The ANZSCO 234611 Medical Laboratory Scientist occupation is currently included on the following migration occupation lists:
Occupation: 234611 Medical Laboratory Scientist with the potential to obtain a pathway from temporary to permanent residency through the following visas:
General Skilled Migration Program
The General Skilled Migration program is a points-based visa that enables eligible overseas skilled workers to migrate to Australia without the need for an employer to sponsor their visa. In order to qualify for general skilled migration visas, you must possess a skill in a profession that is in high demand in Australia.
This visa system is points-based and assesses applicants on a variety of criteria, such as their academic background, work experience, English language proficiency, and age. The program ensures that migrants can effectively integrate into the Australian workforce and society by prioritising those with skills in demand in addition to addressing labour shortages.
Successful applicants can stay and work in Australia indefinitely on a permanent visa. The General Skilled Migration program is divided into three visa subclasses, which include:
- Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
- Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa
Skill Assessment Support
We provide skill assessment support for individuals seeking to complete the skills assessment for the occupation ANZSCO 234611 Medical Laboratory Scientist.
Our services include guidance on the qualifications and employment evidence you need to gather, as well as advice on what to include in your résumé and how to obtain employer reference letters.
Our expertise in document checks allows us to ensure that your applications meet all necessary requirements, maximizing your chances of achieving the best possible outcome.
Search ANZSCO Occupation
Visa Types
Frequent Ask Questions
Here is a list of common questions that our clients ask us regarding ANZSCO 234611 Medical Laboratory Scientist skills assessment. If you need more information do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
In most cases, you’ll need to provide the following documents:
Personal Documents
- Passport bio page
- Passport photo
- Other identification: national ID, driver license
- Current CV/Resume
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher
- A full academic transcript
Employments Evidence Documents.
- Employment contract
- Personal tax return
- Superannuation Statement
- Employment Verification Letter
- Payslips
The ANZSCO occupation code for a Medical Laboratory Scientist in Australia is 234611, as classified by the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations system.
It is generally required to possess an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) bachelor’s degree or a higher qualification, or an equivalent degree. This encompasses qualifications evaluated at the AQF Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral levels.
Foundation subjects
full units i.e., at least one (1) semester comprising of the following:
- Chemistry
- Statistics
- Cell and tissue biology (including Anatomy and Physiology)
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Genetics and Molecular Biology.
Professional subjects.
Basic studies must have been undertaken in all of the following professional disciplines with advanced studies in no less than 2, preferably 3 of the following professional disciplines (*):
- Pathophysiology (general / systemic pathology with emphasis on the relationship between disease process and laboratory diagnostic techniques)
- Anatomical Pathology / Histopathology (including where possible, Cytopathology)*
- Chemical Pathology*
- Genomic Pathology*
- Haematology (including Haemostasis)*
- Immunopathology*
- Medical Microbiology*
- Transfusion Science*.
Yes, a Medical Laboratory Scientist is regarded as a skilled worker. The agricultural consultant occupation, classified under ANZSCO code 234611, is designated as Skill Level 1. It is currently in high demand and lists on the migration occupation list Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
AIMS is the assessing authority in Australia that conducts skills assessments for the occupation ANZSCO 234611 Medical Laboratory Scientist.
Ozlinks Migration Agent is here to assist you with the skills assessment for the occupation Medical Laboratory Scientist. With our extensive experience in this area, we offer step-by-step guidance to help you meet all document requirements and maximise your chances of a positive outcome.