Aquaculture Farmer – ANZSCO 121111

Aquaculture Farmer (ANZSCO 121111) is a skill level 1 occupation assessed by VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services) for Australian skilled migration. It is on the ROL, CSOL lists and can be used for subclass 491, subclass 482, subclass 186, subclass 494, subclass 407. 3 of 8 states and territories currently nominate it.

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Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 121111
Skill level: 1 – Bachelor degree or higher, or at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Assessing authority: VETASSESS
Occupation lists: ROL, CSOL
English test for skills assessment: Not required
ANZSCO unit group: 1211 Aquaculture Farmers

Caveats apply to this occupation for some visas (for example minimum salary, business size or excluded positions). Check the caveat notes on the Home Affairs occupation list.

Aquaculture Farmer job description and duties

Plans, organises, controls, coordinates and performs farming operations to breed and raise fish and other aquatic stock.

Also known as: Aquaculture Farm Manager

Specialisations: Grow-Out Manager (Aquaculture), Hatchery Manager (Aquaculture), Oyster Farmer

Tasks include

Planning and coordinating the operation of hatcheries and grow-out operations taking into account environmental and market factors
Coordinating and overseeing strategies to monitor the environment to maintain optimal growing conditions, minimise the impact of operations on the environment and manage biosecurity and other risks
Coordinating and overseeing strategies to monitor and maintain the health, welfare and condition of aquatic stock
Overseeing and undertaking breeding, feeding and nutrition programs
Overseeing transportation of aquatic stock to new tanks, ponds, cages and floating net pens
Coordinating and overseeing harvesting, grading, processing and packaging operations for aquatic stock
Directing and overseeing general farming activities including the provision and maintenance of farming infrastructure and equipment
Organising the sale, purchase and transportation of aquatic stock
Maintaining and evaluating records of farming activities, monitoring market activity and planning production accordingly
Overseeing data collection and analysis and farm technology systems
Managing business capital including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management
May select, train and supervise staff and contractors

Education and skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal 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).

What the assessing authority expects: VETASSESS Group B: minimum AQF Bachelor degree or higher.

Visa options for Aquaculture Farmer

Eligible means the occupation is on a list the visa accepts. You still need to meet every other requirement.

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: Not eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL)
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream: Eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry: Eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 407 Training visa: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)

State and territory nomination for Aquaculture Farmer

3 of 8 states and territories currently list this occupation: Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania. Onshore means already living in that state; offshore means living outside Australia.

New South Wales: 190 No, 491 Closed 26–27, onshore No, offshore No. Not eligible for 190.
Victoria: 190 No, 491 Not yet open, onshore No, offshore No. Not eligible for 190.
Queensland: 190 No, 491 Yes, onshore QLD residents, offshore No. Onshore list: 491.
South Australia: 190 No, 491 No, onshore No, offshore No. Not on the SA Skilled Occupation List.
Western Australia: 190 No, 491 Yes, onshore WA graduates, offshore No. Graduate stream (WA study): 491.
Tasmania: 190 No, 491 Yes, onshore TAS residents, offshore No. Living in Tasmania: Skilled Employment, Graduate or Established Resident pathways; Overseas 491 (OSOP) closed for 2026–27.
Australian Capital Territory: 190 No, 491 No, onshore No, offshore No. Not on the ACT occupation list (Canberra small-business owners may still qualify).
Northern Territory: 190 No, 491 By exception, onshore NT grads/residents only, offshore No. 491 onshore only, by exception for NT Graduate or Resident applicants with urgent visa or age deadlines.

Based on each state's official 2026–27 lists and program pages. Being listed does not guarantee an invitation.

Skills assessment for Aquaculture Farmer

VETASSESS checks two things: that your qualification is at the right Australian (AQF) level and in a relevant field, and that you have enough relevant work experience at the right skill level. You need a positive result on both.

The process

Pick the right occupation: Match your duties to the occupation description and check its VETASSESS group.
Prepare documents: Qualifications, transcripts, employment references, payslips and ID as high-quality colour scans.
Apply online: Create a VETASSESS account, upload documents and pay. You can change occupation free within 10 days of payment.
Assessment: An officer reviews your file and may ask for more documents (you get 28 days to respond).
Outcome: Download your outcome letter and use it for your EOI and visa.

What you need for this occupation

Aquaculture Farmer is a VETASSESS Group B occupation. You need a qualification at AQF Bachelor degree or higher level and must meet one of these pathways in full:

Pathway 1: AQF Bachelor degree or higher in a highly relevant field + 1 year of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years
Pathway 2: AQF Bachelor degree or higher (not highly relevant) plus an extra highly relevant qualification at Diploma level or above + 2 years of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years
Pathway 3: AQF Bachelor degree or higher in a field that is not highly relevant + 3 years of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years
Pathway 4: AQF Bachelor degree or higher in any field + 6 years of employment at the right skill level, including 1 year of highly relevant employment in the last 5 years

Employment must be paid, 20 or more hours a week and at the right skill level. Official VETASSESS page for Aquaculture Farmer.

Documents checklist

Passport bio page
Degree certificates and full academic transcripts
Employment reference letters on company letterhead (duties, dates, hours, salary)
Payslips, tax or bank records for each job
CV/résumé
English translations of non-English documents

Key facts

Fee (full assessment): AUD 1,146 from outside Australia (no GST); AUD 1,260.60 in Australia
Priority processing: + AUD 863 (outside Australia) / AUD 949.30 (in Australia); about 10 business days
Outcome valid for: 3 years from the issue date
Work hours that count: 20 hours or more per week
Validity for visas: Home Affairs generally accepts an assessment for 3 years unless the letter says otherwise

English language requirement

For the VETASSESS skills assessment

No English test required. No English test is needed for the VETASSESS skills assessment. VETASSESS checks your qualification and employment; your English is tested later, for the visa.

For the visa (189, 190 and 491)

Separately, the visa needs at least Competent English. Minimum scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:

IELTS (Academic or General): Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0
PTE Academic: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54
TOEFL iBT: Listening 16, Reading 16, Writing 19, Speaking 19
OET: Listening 290, Reading 310, Writing 290, Speaking 330

Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points in the points test.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Aquaculture Farmer?

The ANZSCO code for Aquaculture Farmer is 121111. It is a skill level 1 occupation.

Who assesses Aquaculture Farmer for Australian migration?

Aquaculture Farmer is assessed by VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services). You need a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas.

Which Australian visas can a Aquaculture Farmer apply for?

Aquaculture Farmer is on the ROL, CSOL lists, so it can be used for: 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated; 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream; 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry; 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored; 407 Training visa. You must still meet every other visa requirement.

Which states nominate Aquaculture Farmer?

3 of 8 states and territories currently list Aquaculture Farmer: Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania. Each state has extra criteria such as residence, employment and points.

Do I need an English test for the Aquaculture Farmer skills assessment?

No. No English test is needed for the VETASSESS skills assessment. VETASSESS checks your qualification and employment; your English is tested later, for the visa.

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0), Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists, VETASSESS and state and territory nomination pages. Checked November 2026. General information only, not migration advice. Search all ANZSCO occupations.