Zoologist Career and Immigration options for Australia

Profile Title: Zoologist Career and Immigration options for Australia

Alternative Title:Not Defined

ANZSCO Code: 234518 | Unit Code: 2345

Skill Level: Level 1 | Work Experience: 1 Years

Assessing Bodies: Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS)

Skill Occupation List (SOL): MLTSSL

Specialization: Entomologist, Mammologist, Ornithologist

Profile Description: Studies the anatomy, physiology, characteristics, ecology, behaviour and environments of animals.

Job Duties:

• designing and conducting experiments, making observations and measurements, researching information, analysing data, preparing or supervising the preparation of laboratory reports and scientific papers, presenting findings at scientific meetings and conferences, and supervising the work of staff
• studying the forms and structures of bodily organs and tissues by systematic observation, dissection and microscopic examination
• investigating the chemical structure and function of living cells and their isolated components, organs and tissues in humans, animals, plants, and micro-organisms
• examining micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, yeast and their enzymes, and using the knowledge gained to create and develop new, and improve existing, products, materials and processes
• investigating the effects of environmental factors, such as rainfall, temperature, sunlight, soil, topography and disease, on plant growth
• planning and undertaking experiments to study, measure and understand marine animals and plants
• studying the growth and characteristics of micro-organisms, such as bacteria, algae and fungi, and the effects they have on plants, animals and humans to develop medical, veterinary, industrial, environmental and other practical applications
• investigating the interrelationships between animals in their natural surroundings, in captivity and in laboratories

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)
• 407 - Training visa (subclass 407)
• 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) – Medium Term Stream
• 190 - Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
• 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - State or Territory nominated
• 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - Family sponsored
• 485 - Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) - Graduate Work
• 189 - Skilled Independent (subclass 189) - Points-Tested
• 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: Life Scientists are mainly employed in: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Education and Training; and Public Administration and Safety

Education Profile: The most common level of educational attainment for Life Scientists is Bachelor degree (52.9 per cent).

Job Opening: Over the five years to November 2019, the number of job openings for Life Scientists is expected to be below average (between 5,001 and 10,000). 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 (34.3 per cent) and the median age is 40 years (compared to 40 years for all occupations).

Gender: The female share of Life Scientists is 53.0 per cent and 84.8 per cent of Life Scientists work full time. Average weekly hours for full time workers are 40.3 (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 $1,544 (compared to earnings for all occupations of $1,200).

Employment: Employment for this occupation fell markedly (in percentage terms) in the past five years and fell markedly in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Life Scientists to November 2020 is expected to remain relatively steady.