Medical Laboratory Scientist PR Points Guide 2026, ANZSCO 234611

✍ Written by AU PR Calculator Editorial🔍 Reviewed against Schedule 6D and DHA guidance📅 Published: 9 August 2026⏱ 8 min read

Quick Facts: Medical Laboratory Scientist Skilled Migration

• ANZSCO Code: 234611
• Occupation list: MLTSSL (eligible for 189, 190, and 491 visas)
• Skills assessment: Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS)
• Indicative 189 competitive range: around 80 points, based on general historical patterns — not an official published cutoff
• Indicative 190 competitive range: around 70–80 points, based on general historical patterns (varies by state, not an official published cutoff)
• Indicative 491 competitive range: around 65–75 points, based on general historical patterns — not an official published cutoff
• States to watch: NSW and VIC (Health is a named priority sector), plus WA General Stream
• Assessment processing: Around 16 weeks standard, up to 6 months if document verification is required
• Assessment fee: AUD $900–$990 (plus exams if required)

Check Your Medical Laboratory Scientist Points

We've pre-selected Medical Laboratory Scientist (ANZSCO 234611) for you. Just fill in the rest to see where you stand.

189 Score

Reference: 75+

Competitive

190 Score (+5)

Reference: 70+

More Accessible

491 Score (+15)

Reference: 65+

Very Accessible

Calculate My Full Score →

What to Expect as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, ANZSCO 234611

Medical Laboratory Scientists are highly valued in Australia's General Skilled Migration programme. Placed squarely on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), this occupation provides access to the 189, 190, and 491 visa pathways. Because healthcare is a major priority for the Australian government, professionals in this field often experience a more favourable environment compared to general occupations, with targeted invitation rounds occasionally driving down the minimum required points.

Subclass 189

Skilled Independent

Based on general historical patterns, you may want points indicatively around 80 to be competitive (not an officially published cutoff). Healthcare workers are often prioritised in targeted rounds, making this a very realistic goal.

→ Read our 189 guide

Subclass 190

State Nominated (+5 pts)

A fantastic option for medical professionals. Most states are actively looking for pathology and laboratory staff to bolster their local health systems.

→ Read our 190 guide

Subclass 491

Regional (+15 pts)

A highly accessible pathway if you are happy to live outside the major capitals. Regional hospitals constantly need skilled laboratory scientists.

→ Read our 491 guide

Comparing Your Options

	Subclass 189	Subclass 190	Subclass 491
Nomination bonus	+0	+5	+15
Indicative range	~80 pts	~75 pts	~70 pts
Occupation list	MLTSSL	MLTSSL	MLTSSL
Level of competition	Medium/High	Medium	Low/Medium
Assessing body	AIMS	AIMS	AIMS

Remember, these target points are estimates based on recent trends. The Department of Home Affairs does not publish guaranteed cutoffs, and state requirements vary. When scores tie, a "date of effect" rule applies, prioritising older EOIs.

→ Check our latest invitation round analysis

Getting Your AIMS Skills Assessment

You absolutely must have a positive skills assessment before you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

The Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) handles Medical Laboratory Scientist assessments.

Assessing body	AIMS
Official website	aims.org.au
Typical wait time	Around 16 weeks standard; document verification can extend this to around 6 months for some applicants
Expected fee	AUD $900–$990 (plus exam fee if required) — confirm current pricing on the AIMS site
English requirement	Proficient English required upfront; AIMS updated its test-report rules in March 2026 to align with Home Affairs' Proficient English standard, and reports must be within 3 years of the test date
Baseline education	Graduates of an AIMS-accredited degree program are assessed directly; everyone else typically needs to pass the AIMS Professional Examination first

The Hidden English Advantage

Because AIMS mandates Proficient English just to process your skills assessment, you are practically guaranteed to claim at least 10 points for English when you lodge your EOI. This gives you a strong head start compared to general occupations where applicants might only scrape by with Competent English.

⚠ Watch your processing times: AIMS quotes around 16 weeks for a standard assessment, but document verification can push this closer to 6 months for some applicants, so start the process well before your current visa expires.

State Nomination Options for Medical Laboratory Scientists

State nomination gives you a handy +5 points (190) or +15 points (491). Health professionals are often highly sought after by the states.

State	190 Active?	491 Active?	What to keep in mind
NSW	Yes	Yes	NSW moved away from a fixed occupation list in 2023 and now nominates against five priority sectors, one of which is Health. Medical Laboratory Scientist isn't individually named on the published skills list, so confirm your eligibility on the NSW skilled visas portal before relying on this.
VIC	Yes	Yes	Victoria's 2025-26 programme (3,400 nomination places) lists health among its priority sectors for both onshore and offshore applicants. You must submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) first.
QLD	Check current programme	Check current programme	We could not confirm Queensland's current occupation-specific status for this role. Check the Queensland skilled migration portal directly.
SA	Check current programme	Check current programme	We could not confirm South Australia's current occupation-specific status for this role. Check the SA skilled migration portal directly.
WA	Yes	Yes	WA has invited Medical Laboratory Scientists through its General Stream in recent rounds. Medical occupations generally sit on WASMOL Schedule 1 or 2. Exact EOI submission cutoffs vary by round — check migration.wa.gov.au for the current figure before relying on any historical number.

Note: State occupation lists and priority sectors can change without notice. Always verify your eligibility directly on the official state migration websites before acting on any of the above.

→ Which state is right for me?

How to Boost Your PR Points

If your score is sitting around 65 or 70, here are a few ways to increase your chances.

1. Aim for Superior English

Since you already need Proficient English (IELTS 7.0) for AIMS, putting in the extra effort to achieve Superior English (IELTS 8.0 or PTE 79) gives you an additional 10 points. This can easily put you over the line for a 189 invitation.

→ Full guide to increasing your points

2. Partner Skills & NAATI

Don't forget the 'extras'. A skilled partner can add up to 10 points. Passing the NAATI CCL test (if you speak another language) adds another 5 points. These are relatively straightforward ways to pull your score up.

→ Read our points guide

Will the 2026 Reforms Affect Me?

⚠ Keep in mind: The 2026 points test reforms are currently just proposals. The existing Schedule 6D points system is still fully in effect until any new legislation actually passes.

Healthcare professionals are widely expected to remain a top priority under the proposed Core Skills pathway. While there is talk of adjusting the points test-perhaps increasing base thresholds or adding income-based points-occupations like Medical Laboratory Scientists are likely to stay heavily favoured by state and federal governments to address ongoing medical shortages.

→ Stay updated on the 2026 points test reform

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points do I need as a Medical Laboratory Scientist for subclass 189?▼

Medical Laboratory Scientists benefit from being on a healthcare priority occupation, and based on general historical patterns, candidates around the 80-point mark have often been competitive for the subclass 189 visa. This is an indicative range, not a figure published by the Department of Home Affairs for a specific round — cutoffs change with every invitation round, depending on the applicant pool and government priorities.

Do I need to sit the AIMS Professional Examination, or is my degree enough?▼

It depends on where you studied. If your qualification comes from an AIMS-accredited degree program, AIMS can assess you directly against ANZSCO 234611 without requiring the Professional Examination. If your degree is not from an accredited program, you will typically need to sit and pass the AIMS Professional Examination before a positive skills assessment can be issued.

Which skills assessment body assesses Medical Laboratory Scientists, and how long does it take?▼

The Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) handles skills assessments for Medical Laboratory Scientists (ANZSCO 234611). AIMS quotes a standard processing time of around 16 weeks from submission, though document verification can extend this closer to 6 months for some applicants, so it pays to start early. AIMS also updated its English test requirements in March 2026 to align with the Department of Home Affairs' Proficient English standard, and test reports must be within 3 years of the test date.

Which states nominate Medical Laboratory Scientists for 190 or 491?▼

Healthcare is a named priority sector in NSW's and Victoria's current nomination frameworks, and Western Australia has invited Medical Laboratory Scientists through its General Stream in recent rounds. Exact criteria and points requirements differ by state and change over time, so check each state's official migration portal before relying on this as current.

How does the proposed 2026-27 reform affect Medical Laboratory Scientists?▼

While healthcare remains a priority under the proposed Core Skills pathway (targeted for 2027), potential changes to the points test might increase the minimum threshold or introduce income-based points. These reforms are not yet legislated, so the current Schedule 6D points system still applies.

Is this occupation on the skilled occupation list?

To see if Medical Laboratory Scientist is on the MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL for 2026, and to understand the difference between the lists (including the proposed CSOL), you can check our comprehensive guide:

→ Check the skilled occupation lists for 2026