Life Science Technician – ANZSCO 311413

Life Science Technician (ANZSCO 311413) is a skill level 2 occupation assessed by VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services) for Australian skilled migration. It is on the STSOL list and can be used for subclass 190, subclass 491, subclass 494, subclass 407. 5 of 8 states and territories currently nominate it.

Open Life Science Technician in the interactive ANZSCO search · Book a free migration assessment

Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 311413
Skill level: 2 – Associate degree, advanced diploma or diploma, or at least 3 years of relevant experience.
Assessing authority: VETASSESS
Occupation lists: STSOL
English test for skills assessment: Not required
ANZSCO unit group: 3114 Science Technicians

Life Science Technician job description and duties

Identifies and collects living organisms and conducts field and laboratory studies in support of Life Scientists or Environmental Scientists.

Also known as: Life Science Technical Officer

Specialisations: Biological Technical Officer, Botanical Technical Officer, Ecological Technical Officer, Environmental Technical Officer, Forestry Technical Officer, Forestry Technician, Wood Technologist, Zoology Technical Officer

Tasks include

Preparing materials for experimentation such as freezing and slicing specimens and mixing chemicals
Collecting information and samples
Conducting field and laboratory experiments, tests and analyses
Presenting results in graphic and written form by preparing maps, charts, sketches, diagrams and reports
Performing routine mathematical calculations, and computations of measurements
Controlling the quality and quantity of laboratory supplies by testing samples and monitoring usage
Checking, calibrating and maintaining test equipment
Participating in fabricating, installing and modifying equipment to ensure that critical standards are met
Preparing experiments and demonstrations for science classes

Education and skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2) In New Zealand: NZQF Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2) At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

What the assessing authority expects: VETASSESS Group C: minimum AQF Diploma or higher. Highly relevant fields include Life Sciences, Biomedical Science, Environmental Science, Laboratory Technology, Applied Science, Biotechnology.

Visa options for Life Science Technician

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: 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: Not eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry: Not 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 Life Science Technician

5 of 8 states and territories currently list this occupation: Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. 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. Unit group 3114 is not on the NSW Skills List.
Victoria: 190 Yes, 491 Not yet open, onshore VIC residents, offshore Yes. All 190-eligible occupations (no state list).
Queensland: 190 No, 491 No, onshore No, offshore No. Not on the Queensland onshore or offshore list.
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.
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 Life Science Technician

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

Life Science Technician is a VETASSESS Group C occupation. You need a qualification at AQF Diploma or higher level and must meet one of these pathways in full:

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

Highly relevant fields of study include: Life Sciences, Biomedical Science, Environmental Science, Laboratory Technology, Applied Science, Biotechnology.

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

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.

Related occupations in unit group 3114

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Life Science Technician?

The ANZSCO code for Life Science Technician is 311413. It is a skill level 2 occupation.

Who assesses Life Science Technician for Australian migration?

Life Science Technician 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 Life Science Technician apply for?

Life Science Technician is on the STSOL list, so it can be used for: 190 Skilled Nominated; 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated; 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored; 407 Training visa. You must still meet every other visa requirement.

Which states nominate Life Science Technician?

5 of 8 states and territories currently list Life Science Technician: Victoria, 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 Life Science Technician 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.