This is a 2026 step-by-step pathway guide for an Agricultural Technician migrating to Australia under ANZSCO 311111. 311111 is on MLTSSL and CSOL — full skilled visa stack: Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 491 → 191, Subclass 186, Subclass 494 → 191, Subclass 482 → 186 TRT.
Demand is concentrated in regional Australia — 491 / 494 regional pathways are highly accessible for this occupation.
For the cost / timeline view see the 311111 cost & timeline case study. For VETASSESS details see the skills assessment guide.
Step 1 — Confirm 311111 is the right code
ANZSCO 311111 covers technical agricultural support — crop trial design and execution, soil and pest analysis, field experiments and data collection, agricultural research support, on-farm technical advisory, fertiliser / pesticide application support, irrigation system management, harvest analysis. Use ANZSCO search to verify against 311112 Agricultural and Agritech Technician (precision agriculture / IoT / drone-based work), 311113 Animal Husbandry Technician (livestock), and 311114 Aquaculture or Fisheries Technician.
Step 2 — VETASSESS skills assessment
VETASSESS for 311111:
- Qualification — at least AQF Diploma (5) or higher in a highly relevant field. Bachelor of Agricultural Science is preferred for senior roles.
- Skilled employment — at least 1 year highly relevant in the 5 years before applying.
- Document evidence — qualifications, transcripts, employment references, payslips.
Standard turnaround 12-16 weeks.
Step 3 — Practice context
VETASSESS is for visa. Practice context:
- Ag Institute Australia (AIA) (aginstitute.com.au) — peak professional body. CPAg (Certified Professional Agriculturist) credential.
- ChemCert / AgVet certifications — required for chemical handling.
- Drone (RPAS) Remote Pilot Licence — for precision agriculture / aerial monitoring.
- Working at Heights / Confined Spaces — for grain silos, irrigation infrastructure.
Step 4 — English
EOI requires Competent English. Higher tiers: Proficient (10 pts) / Superior (20 pts).
Step 5 — Choose a visa pathway
Subclass 189 / 190 / 491
189 Independent for high-points Agricultural Technicians. 491 +15 points regional is the realistic primary pathway — agricultural demand is concentrated in regional Australia.
Subclass 186 / 494 / 482
Federal research bodies — CSIRO Agriculture, GRDC (Grains Research and Development Corporation), AgriFutures Australia, MLA-funded research. State Department of Primary Industries — NSW DPI, Agriculture Victoria, Queensland DAF, SA PIRSA, WA DPIRD, Tasmania DPIPWE, NT DITT. Agribusiness corporates — Elders, Nutrien Ag, Ruralco, AAM Group, ABB Grain. Cotton Research and Development Corporation, Australian Wool Innovation, Hort Innovation — sector-specific research. University research stations — UNE Armidale, Adelaide Roseworthy Campus, Charles Sturt Wagga, La Trobe Bundoora.
Step 6 — Score / Step 7 — Submit
Use points calculator. Lodge via SkillSelect.
Tools
- Visa fee calculator
- Document checklist — VETASSESS evidence pack
- Eligibility wizard
- Invitation rounds tracker
Authoritative sources
- Home Affairs
- VETASSESS
- Ag Institute Australia
- GRDC — Grains Research and Development Corporation
- Office of MARA
Next step
Want to map your agricultural profile against 189 vs 190 vs 491 vs 186 vs 494 vs 482? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.