This guide walks through every realistic pathway for migrating to Australia as a Life Scientist (General) under ANZSCO 234511. 234511 sits on the MLTSSL + CSOL — meaning Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 491, Subclass 186 Direct Entry, Subclass 494, and Subclass 482 Core Skills are all open.
For the assessing-authority detail, see the 234511 skills assessment guide. For worked numbers, see the 234511 cost & timeline case study.
Visa eligibility snapshot
| Visa | Status for 234511 |
|---|---|
| Subclass 189 (Independent points-tested) | Open ✅ |
| Subclass 190 (State-nominated PR) | Open ✅ |
| Subclass 491 (Regional Provisional) | Open ✅ |
| Subclass 186 Direct Entry | Open ✅ |
| Subclass 482 Core Skills | Open ✅ |
| Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer-sponsored Regional) | Open ✅ |
What ANZSCO 234511 covers
- Generalist life scientist — cross-disciplinary biology
- Research scientist at universities, CSIRO, MRIs
- R&D scientist at major pharma / biotech / agri-bio
- Cell biology / molecular biology research
- Genetics / genomics research
- Immunology research
Strategic alternative — specialty code where applicable
If your work fits a defined specialty, prefer the specialty code (full visa stack):
- 234513 Biochemist — biochemistry research
- 234514 Biotechnologist — biotech R&D
- 234515 Botanist — plant science research
- 234516 Marine Biologist — marine research
- 234517 Microbiologist — microbiology research
- 234518 Zoologist — zoology research
Pathway A — Subclass 189 (Independent PR)
Senior life scientists with PhD + publication record are competitive at 189.
Pathway B — Subclass 190 (state-nominated PR)
States actively nominate.
Pathway C — Subclass 491 → 191
Regional pathway — research stations across regional Australia.
Pathway D — Subclass 186 Direct Entry / 494 / 482
Realistic 186 / 482 / 494 sponsors
- Universities — Group of Eight + research-intensive faculties
- Major MRIs — Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Garvan, MCRI, QIMR Berghofer, Centenary Institute, Victor Chang
- CSIRO — Health and Biosecurity, Agriculture and Food
- Big pharma R&D — CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus, Pfizer, Bayer, Moderna Australia
- Biotech firms — Cochlear, ResMed, Mesoblast, Imugene, Telix Pharmaceuticals
Common mistakes that cost life scientists their assessment
Defaulting to 234511 when a specialty code fits. Code-fit clearly: biochemistry / biotech / botany / marine / microbiology / zoology codes are preferred where applicable.
Tools to plan your pathway
- Eligibility wizard
- Visa fee calculator
- ANZSCO search — confirm 234511 vs 234513 / 234514 / etc.
- Document checklist
Where to verify the rules
Next step
Want to model 189 vs 190 vs 491 vs 186 vs 494 vs 482 against your life science profile? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.