Australian PR Points for Agricultural Scientist, ANZSCO 234112
Agricultural Scientists play a vital role in Australia's primary production sector. When exploring skilled migration, it helps to understand the nuances of the 189, 190, and 491 visa pathways. The points calculation and invitation outcome are different; meeting the minimum points threshold does not mean you will receive an invitation, as states and the federal government continually adjust their priorities.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
MLTSSL listing
A federally managed, highly competitive pathway. Historical invitation rounds have seen minimum scores around 80 points.
→ Subclass 189 guideSubclass 190: State Nominated
+5 state nomination points
Managed by individual state governments. Invitation likelihood depends entirely on a state's current migration plan and your profile.
→ Subclass 190 guideSubclass 491: Regional
+15 regional bonus points
A regional pathway that often aligns well with the rural locations of many agricultural industry positions.
→ Subclass 491 guideSubclass 189, 190 and 491 Options
| Criteria | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination points | +0 | +5 | +15 |
| Recent historic points ref | ~80-85 | State dependent | State dependent |
| Occupation list | MLTSSL | MLTSSL | MLTSSL |
| Selection mechanism | Federal rounds | State nomination | State/Family |
| Assessing authority | VETASSESS | VETASSESS | VETASSESS |
Data Limitations:Historical invitation round data is provided for context only. The Department of Home Affairs does not publish guaranteed occupation-specific cutoffs, and state governments manage their own 190/491 quotas independently. Do not treat these numbers as a guarantee.
→ Review our monthly invitation round trackerSkills Assessment for Agricultural Scientist
A positive skills assessment is a mandatory requirement before submitting an EOI in SkillSelect.
Agricultural Scientist (ANZSCO 234112) is assessed by VETASSESS
| Assessing body | VETASSESS |
| Official portal | vetassess.com.au |
| Processing time | 8-12 weeks (standard) / 10 days (priority) |
| Fee (Full Assessment) | ~AUD $1,070 - $1,200+ |
| Key Requirement | Bachelor degree + 1 year relevant work experience |
VETASSESS considers this a Group A occupation. To secure a positive outcome, you generally need a qualification assessed as comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree or higher in a highly relevant field of study. In addition, you must demonstrate at least one year of post-qualification, highly relevant employment completed within the last five years.
State Nomination Options
Please verify current criteria on each state's official migration portal.
| State / Territory | 190 Status | 491 Status | Context (Aug 2026) |
|---|
| New South Wales (NSW) | Check current program | Check current program | Criteria varies by region and points score. |
| Victoria (VIC) | Check current program | Check current program | Dependent on the state ROI process. |
| Queensland (QLD) | Check current program | Check current program | Typically requires established local employment or study. |
| Western Australia (WA) | Confirmed under cited criteria | Confirmed under cited criteria | Historically strong demand given the large rural economy. |
| South Australia (SA) | Check current program | Check current program | Local graduates or those with SA work experience are often prioritised. |
| Tasmania (TAS) | Check current program | Check current program | Study and work pathways frequently available. |
| ACT | Check current program | Check current program | Dependent on the Canberra Matrix score. |
| Northern Territory (NT) | Check current program | Check current program | Focuses heavily on local residency and NT-based study. |
Note: Do not assume you are eligible for state nomination simply because the occupation appears on a general list. You must check the relevant state authority for their current instrument and subclass requirements.
→ Which state should I choose for PR?How to Improve Your Score
General strategies for ANZSCO 234112 applicants.
1. Maximise English Points
Securing a 'Superior English' result (e.g., IELTS 8.0 or PTE 79 in each band) grants you the maximum 20 points for language proficiency, which is critical in a competitive landscape.
→ English points guide2. Consider the 491 Regional Visa
A state or family-sponsored 491 visa offers an additional 15 points. Because many Agricultural Science roles are based in regional locations, this pathway often aligns well with the practical realities of the profession.
→ 491 visa guide2026 Reform Information
Current Law vs Official ProposalsThe facts stated on this page relate to the laws currently in force under the Schedule 6D points test. The government has discussed proposed points test reforms (such as potential income-based thresholds or regional incentives), but these are currently subject to review and have not been legislated. Never rely on proposed reforms as current law.
We continue to monitor updates from the Department of Home Affairs to see how any new frameworks might affect professional occupations like Agricultural Scientists.
→ Track the proposed 2026 points test reform