Veterinarian – ANZSCO 234711

Veterinarian (ANZSCO 234711) is a skill level 1 occupation assessed by AVBC for Australian skilled migration. It is on the MLTSSL, CSOL lists and can be used for subclass 189, subclass 190, subclass 491, subclass 491F, subclass 485, subclass 482, subclass 186, subclass 494, subclass 407. 7 of 8 states and territories currently nominate it.

Open Veterinarian in the interactive ANZSCO search · Book a free migration assessment

Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 234711
Skill level: 1 – Bachelor degree or higher, or at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Assessing authority: AVBC
Occupation lists: MLTSSL, CSOL
English test for skills assessment: Check with the authority
ANZSCO unit group: 2347 Veterinarians

Veterinarian job description and duties

Diagnoses, treats and prevents animal diseases, ailments and injuries. Registration or licensing is required.

Also known as: Veterinary Surgeon

Specialisations: Veterinary Parasitologist, Veterinary Pathologist

Tasks include

Treating animals medically and surgically, and administering and prescribing drugs, analgesics, and general and local anaesthetics
Determining the presence and nature of abnormal conditions by physical examination, laboratory testing and through diagnostic imaging techniques including radiography and ultrasound
Performing surgery, dressing wounds and setting broken bones
Rendering obstetric services to animals
Participating in programs designed to prevent the occurrence and spread of animal diseases
Inoculating animals against, and testing for, infectious diseases and notifying authorities of outbreaks of infectious animal diseases
Performing autopsies to determine cause of death
Advising clients on health, nutrition and feeding, hygiene, breeding and care of animals
May provide professional services to commercial firms producing biological and pharmaceutical products
May specialise in the treatment of a particular animal group or in a particular specialty area such as cardiology, chiropractic, dermatology or critical care

Education and skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). Registration or licensing is required.

Visa options for Veterinarian

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

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: Eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL)
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work: 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 Veterinarian

7 of 8 states and territories currently list this occupation: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Onshore means already living in that state; offshore means living outside Australia.

New South Wales: 190 Yes, 491 Closed 26–27, onshore NSW residents, offshore Yes. NSW Skills List — unit group 2347.
Victoria: 190 Yes, 491 Not yet open, onshore VIC residents, offshore Yes. All 190-eligible occupations (no state list).
Queensland: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore QLD residents, offshore Yes. Onshore list: 190 & 491; Offshore QSOL: 190 & 491.
South Australia: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore SA residents, offshore Yes. SA Graduates: 190 & 491; Skilled Employment in SA: 190 & 491; Outer Regional Skilled Employment: 190 & 491; Offshore: 190 & 491.
Western Australia: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore WA & interstate, offshore Yes. General – WASMOL Schedule 2: 190 & 491; Graduate stream (WA study): 190 & 491.
Tasmania: 190 Yes, 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 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore Canberra residents, offshore Yes. ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
Northern Territory: 190 Closed, 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 Veterinarian

This authority assesses whether your qualifications (and, for some occupations, registration or work experience) meet the Australian standard for this occupation. Requirements are set by the authority and approved by the Department of Home Affairs.

The process

Confirm the authority: Check that this body assesses your occupation for your visa.
Check criteria: Read the qualification, registration, experience and English requirements.
Prepare documents: Qualifications, transcripts, ID and any registration or employment evidence.
Apply and pay: Lodge with the authority, usually online.
Outcome: Use your outcome letter for your EOI and visa.

What you need for this occupation

AVBC sets the criteria for this occupation. Requirements usually cover qualification level and field, any registration or licence, and in some cases work experience and English.

Documents checklist

Passport
Qualification certificates and full transcripts
Registration or licence evidence (if applicable)
Employment references (if applicable)
English test results (if required)

English language requirement

For the AVBC skills assessment

AVBC sets its own English rule for this occupation. Many professional and registration bodies ask for IELTS Academic 7 or equivalent, so check before you book a test.

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 Veterinarian?

The ANZSCO code for Veterinarian is 234711. It is a skill level 1 occupation.

Who assesses Veterinarian for Australian migration?

Veterinarian is assessed by AVBC. You need a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas.

Which Australian visas can a Veterinarian apply for?

Veterinarian is on the MLTSSL, CSOL lists, so it can be used for: 189 Skilled Independent; 190 Skilled Nominated; 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated; 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored; 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work; 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 Veterinarian?

7 of 8 states and territories currently list Veterinarian: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Each state has extra criteria such as residence, employment and points.

Do I need an English test for the Veterinarian skills assessment?

AVBC sets its own English rule; check its website. The visa itself needs at least Competent English (for example IELTS 6 in each band).

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