Compare your actual duties and qualifications against the Scientist and Technician occupational classifications. Do not select the title only because it sounds closest to your current job.
Home / Australia / Medical laboratory
Australia · medical laboratory careers
Map your overseas laboratory experience to the right Australian occupation.
Australia distinguishes Medical Laboratory Scientist (ANZSCO 234611) and Medical Laboratory Technician (ANZSCO 311213). AIMS is the migration skills-assessing authority for these occupations. Use its current guidelines to determine which classification your qualifications and experience may support.
AIMS skills assessmentScientist and technician routesReviewed October 13, 2026Important distinction: AIMS migration assessment, an employer’s assessment, AIMS membership and permission to work are different things. Medical laboratory science is not a nationally registered profession under Ahpra; employers may set their own role and competency requirements. A positive skills assessment does not grant a visa or guarantee a job.
Start with the right sequence
AIMS publishes occupation-specific assessment routes and current English evidence instructions. Applicants with an AIMS-accredited qualification and applicants with a non-accredited overseas degree may follow different routes; the latter may need document review and a professional examination if found eligible.
Prepare degree certificates, official transcripts sent as required, detailed course descriptions, identification/name records, employment references with dates and duties, and accepted English evidence. Follow the exact checklist for your occupation.
Submit through AIMS and complete any required examination or additional evidence step. AIMS makes the assessment decision; avoid paying for an unrelated employer assessment when you need a migration assessment.
Check the current Home Affairs occupation list and visa rules for the visa you intend to use. A skills assessment is one part of a migration application, while employers decide hiring and sponsorship.
Laboratory areas to document
Show the depth of your work across relevant diagnostic disciplines such as clinical chemistry, haematology, transfusion science, microbiology, anatomical pathology, immunology or molecular/genomic pathology. Include methods, instruments, quality systems and scope of responsibility in your evidence.
Watch for this common mismatch: AIMS's migration assessment and an Australian employer's classification can have different purposes. Confirm the occupation code and exact evidence route before ordering document-by-document evaluations or paying an exam fee.
Reviewed October 13, 2026. Assessment criteria, fees and visa lists may change; check the live authority pages before applying.
AIMS · live assessment and examination fees ↗AIMS · Qualification and skills assessment for migration ↗AIMS · Medical Laboratory Scientist assessment process ↗AIMS · Current MLS/MLT assessment guideline ↗Home Affairs · Skilled occupation list ↗Keep building your Australian plan
Use the points preview and salary comparison alongside this occupation assessment guide.