This is the 2026 VETASSESS skills assessment guide for ANZSCO 311413 — Life Science Technician. For visa pathway selection see the 311413 pathway guide; for cost/timeline see the case study.
VETASSESS pathway
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Qualification | AQF Diploma / Bachelor in Biology / Microbiology / Biochemistry / Biotechnology / Molecular Biology |
| Employment (post-qualification) | At least 1 year highly relevant in the last 5 years |
| Skilled employment for points | Each year of additional skilled employment counts (max 20 pts) |
Standard turnaround 12-16 weeks.
Documents
- Certified copy of degree / diploma certificate(s).
- Academic transcripts.
- Detailed CV mapped to ANZSCO 311413 — list lab disciplines worked (microbiology, molecular, cell culture, biochem, immunology, fermentation), techniques routinely run.
- Employment reference letters on letterhead with role, dates, hours/week, salary, life-science-technician-specific duties.
- Identity — passport bio page.
- Payslips / tax records.
- GMP / GLP training records for pharma / biotech candidates.
- NATA / ISO 17025 quality-system awareness for commercial-lab candidates.
- Equipment-platform training — Thermo Fisher / Applied Biosystems QuantStudio, Roche Lightcycler, Bio-Rad CFX / Droplet Digital, Illumina MiSeq / NextSeq / NovaSeq, Beckman Coulter Cytomics, BD FACS, Zeiss / Leica / Nikon microscopy, Sartorius / Cytiva bioreactors.
ANZSCO 311413 task focus
Reference letters must show at least 65% time on life-science-technician work:
- Microbiology — media preparation (LB, TSB, blood agar, MacConkey, Sabouraud), aseptic technique, culture plating, colony counts, Gram staining, biochemical identification, antibiotic susceptibility (Kirby-Bauer / VITEK / E-test), MALDI-TOF support.
- Molecular biology — DNA / RNA extraction (kit / column / magnetic-bead methods), PCR / qPCR / dPCR setup, NGS library prep (Illumina / Oxford Nanopore), gel electrophoresis (agarose / SDS-PAGE / 2D-PAGE), Western blot, Northern / Southern blot.
- Cell culture — mammalian cell lines (HEK, CHO, HeLa, MDCK, Vero), insect cells (Sf9, Sf21), bacterial cultures (E. coli BL21 / DH5α), plant tissue culture, primary cell isolation, transfection (calcium phosphate, lipofection, electroporation), cell-line maintenance, mycoplasma testing, cell-bank management.
- Biochemistry — ELISA (direct / indirect / sandwich / competitive), protein purification (chromatography — IEX, HIC, SEC, affinity), protein quantification (BCA, Bradford, Lowry, A280), enzyme kinetics.
- Immunology — flow cytometry support, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunoprecipitation.
- Bioprocess — fermentation (E. coli / Pichia / CHO / Sf9), bioreactor support, downstream processing.
- Histology research-grade — fixation, paraffin embedding, microtomy, staining.
- Animal facility work — mouse handling, ear-clip / tattoo identification, blood sampling, organ harvest, animal ethics compliance.
- QC bioassays — sterility testing, mycoplasma testing, endotoxin testing (LAL / recombinant Factor C).
- GMP / GLP / TGA-compliant documentation — batch records, deviation reports, change control, CAPA.
Useful certifications
- GMP / GLP training — vendor / employer-issued for pharma / biotech roles.
- NATA / ISO 17025 awareness — essential for commercial / regulated labs.
- TGA regulatory awareness — for pharmaceutical / biotech candidates.
- Vendor / instrument-platform training — Thermo Fisher / Applied Biosystems, Bio-Rad, Illumina, BD, Beckman Coulter, Sartorius, Cytiva.
- Animal ethics / NHMRC code awareness — for animal facility candidates.
- PC2 / PC3 biocontainment induction — for clinical / research microbiology candidates.
English
VETASSESS doesn't directly require English. Home Affairs requires Competent English; for points-tested visas target Proficient or Superior.
Common pitfalls
- Pure clinical pathology experience. That fits 311213 Medical Laboratory Technician, not 311413.
- Research scientist with interpretive responsibility. If you lead methodology / publish / supervise — 234517 / 234518 may fit better.
- Diploma-only without sustained employment. AQF 5 / 6 alone may be borderline — combine with substantial post-qualification experience.
Tools
Authoritative sources
Next step
Want a personalised VETASSESS plan for 311413? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.
VETASSESS
Life Science Technician
ANZSCO 311413
AusBiotech
Skills Assessment
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