💼 Facts checked October 2026
Scientist jobs in Australia
About 196 job ads a month
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average to August 2026.
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Scientist in Australia: official facts
✅ Facts checked: October 2026
- ANZSCO
- 234511 Life Scientist (General) (ANZSCO 2013)
- Unit group
- 2345 Life Scientists
- Job ads
- 196 online ads a month for Life Scientists (3-month average to August 2026). Up 4% since May 2026.
- Assessed by
- Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS)
- Lists
- MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List) and CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List)
- Visas
- Skilled Independent (189), Skilled Nominated (190), Skilled Work Regional (provisional) (491), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (494), Skills in Demand (482), Employer Nomination Scheme (186)
- Places
- 2026-27: 21,090 Skilled Independent (189), 35,500 State or Territory Nominated (190), 14,110 Regional (491 and 494).
| State or territory | Rating |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | No shortage |
| Victoria | No shortage |
| Queensland | No shortage |
| Western Australia | No shortage |
| South Australia | No shortage |
| Tasmania | No shortage |
| Australian Capital Territory | No shortage |
| Northern Territory | No shortage |
Sources (facts checked October 2026):
- Shortage rating: Jobs and Skills Australia, Occupation Shortage List, 2025 list (latest published). Checked 20 Oct 2026.
- Job ads per month: Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index, August 2026 data, released 23 September 2026, 3-month average of online job ads. Checked 20 Oct 2026.
- ANZSCO, lists, visas, assessing authority: Home Affairs, list of eligible skilled occupations, list updated 6 Aug 2025. Checked 20 Oct 2026.
- Invitation rounds and lowest points: Home Affairs, SkillSelect invitation rounds, last 189 round 4 Jun 2026. Checked 20 Oct 2026.
- Visa places: Home Affairs, Migration Program planning levels, 2026-27 planning levels, page updated 21 Sep 2026. Checked 20 Oct 2026.
- Points test: Home Affairs, Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) points test, page updated 1 Jul 2026. Checked 20 Oct 2026.
Can you work in Australia as a scientist?
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How skilled migration works for scientists
Check the skilled lists
Life Scientist (General) (ANZSCO 234511) is on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List) and CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List).
Get a skills assessment
For this occupation the assessing authority is Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS). You apply to them, not to Home Affairs.
Points-tested visas: send an EOI
For visas 189, 190, 491, you send an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. You get points for things like age, English, work experience and study.
Wait for an invitation
Home Affairs invites the highest-ranked EOIs in rounds. In the last published 189 round (4 Jun 2026), the lowest score invited for Life Scientist (General) was 95 points. Home Affairs has not published a 189 round for 2026-27 yet (page updated 14 Oct 2026). An invitation is never guaranteed.
Or find an employer
Employer-sponsored visas (494, 482, 186) need an Australian employer to nominate you. Each visa has its own rules.
Scientist jobs and visas: questions
✅ Facts checked: October 2026
Is there a shortage of scientists in Australia?
Jobs and Skills Australia rates Life Scientists (ANZSCO 2345) as no shortage nationally on its 2025 Occupation Shortage List.
How many scientist jobs are advertised?
Jobs and Skills Australia counted about 196 online job ads a month for Life Scientists (3-month average to August 2026). Up 4% since May 2026.
Who assesses scientist skills for migration?
Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS), for Life Scientist (General) (ANZSCO 234511).
Which visas list this occupation?
Home Affairs lists Life Scientist (General) for: Skilled Independent (189), Skilled Nominated (190), Skilled Work Regional (provisional) (491), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (494), Skills in Demand (482), Employer Nomination Scheme (186). It is on the MLTSSL, CSOL lists.
How many points do I need?
Home Affairs says you need at least 65 points for a Skilled Independent (189) visa. Age gives up to 30 points (age 25 to 32). English gives 10 points for Proficient and 20 for Superior. In the last published 189 round (4 Jun 2026), the lowest score invited for Life Scientist (General) was 95 points. A higher score gives a better chance of an invitation, but never a guarantee.
How many skilled visas are there each year?
For 2026-27, the Government planned 132,240 skilled visa places: 21,090 Skilled Independent (189), 35,500 State or Territory Nominated (190) and 14,110 Regional (491 and 494).
Can I apply for these jobs from overseas?
Jobs are posted by employers. Some employers can sponsor a visa and some cannot. Read each ad, and check visa and licence requirements with the employer.
Other jobs in Australia
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