Migrate to Australia as a Marine Biologist (ANZSCO 234516) — Pathway Guide

This guide walks through every realistic pathway for migrating to Australia as a Marine Biologist under ANZSCO 234516. 234516 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 234516 skills assessment guide. For worked numbers, see the 234516 cost & timeline case study.

Visa eligibility snapshot

What ANZSCO 234516 covers

• Marine ecologist — coral reef, kelp forest, intertidal
• Coral reef research — Great Barrier Reef
• Marine taxonomy — fish, invertebrates, plankton
• Marine ecotoxicology
• Oceanography (cross-coded with environmental research science)
• Cetacean / marine mammal research

Realistic 186 / 482 / 494 sponsors

• AIMS (Australian Institute of Marine Science) — Townsville
• GBRMPA (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority) — Townsville
• CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere
• Universities — JCU (Reef + tropics), University of Tasmania (IMAS), UWA (Oceans Institute), University of Sydney, UNSW
• Environmental consultancies with marine teams — BMT, ERM, GHD, AECOM
• Aquaculture R&D — research arms of Tassal, Huon, Clean Seas

Common mistakes

Confusing 234516 with 234116 Aquaculture or Fisheries Scientist or 234311 Conservation Officer. General marine biology research = 234516. Applied aquaculture / fisheries = 234116. Field marine conservation programmes = 234311.

Tools to plan your pathway

• Eligibility wizard
• Visa fee calculator
• ANZSCO search — confirm 234516 vs 234116 / 234311
• Document checklist

Where to verify the rules

• Department of Home Affairs
• VETASSESS
• Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA)

Next step

Want to model 189 vs 190 vs 491 vs 186 vs 494 vs 482 against your marine biology profile? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.