Medical Laboratory Scientist Career and Immigration options for Australia

Profile Title: Medical Laboratory Scientist Career and Immigration options for Australia

Alternative Title:Hospital Scientist, Medical Scientific Officer

ANZSCO Code: 234611 | Unit Code: 2346

Skill Level: Level 1 | Work Experience: 5 Years

Assessing Bodies: Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS)

Skill Occupation List (SOL): MLTSSL

Specialization: Not Defined

Profile Description: Conducts medical laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.

Job Duties:

• preparing tissue sections for microscopic examination
• examning and analysing samples to study the effects of microbial infections
• analysing samples of body tissue and fluids to develop techniques to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases
• advising Medical Practitioners on the interpretation of tests and methods for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease
• setting up the steps and rules of laboratory medical testing
• operating and maintaining laboratory equipment
• maintaining laboratory quality assurance and safety standards
• preparing scientific papers and reports

Skill Level Description: In Australia and New Zealand: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a Bachelor Degree or higher 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).

Available Visa Options (As on February 2024):

• 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
• 189 - Skilled Independent (subclass 189) - Points-Tested
• 190 - Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
• 407 - Training visa (subclass 407)
• 485 - Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) - Graduate Work
• 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - Family sponsored
• 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - State or Territory nominated
• 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) – Medium Term Stream
• 187 - Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
• 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream
• 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated
• 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) Family Sponsored

Registration or Licensing: Not Required

Industries: Medical Laboratory Scientists are mainly employed in: Health Care and Social Assistance; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; and Education and Training

Education Profile: The most common level of educational attainment for Medical Laboratory Scientists is Post Graduate/ Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate (51.1 per cent).

Job Opening: Over the five years to November 2019, the number of job openings for Medical Laboratory Scientists is expected to be average (between 10,001 and 25,000). Job openings count both employment growth and turnover (defined as workers leaving their occupation for other employment or leaving the workforce).

Age Group: The main age group is 35-44 years (32.7 per cent) and the median age is 39 years (compared to 40 years for all occupations).

Gender: The female share of Medical Laboratory Scientists is 66.8 per cent and 74.1 per cent of Medical Laboratory Scientists work full time. Average weekly hours for full time workers are 38.6 (compared to 40.2 for all occupations).

Earning: In August 2014 (latest available data) weekly earnings full-time before tax (and not including employer superannuation) were $1,567 (compared to earnings for all occupations of $1,200).

Employment: Employment for this occupation fell slightly in the past five years and rose moderately in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Medical Laboratory Scientists to November 2020 is expected to grow very strongly.