Marine Biologist – ANZSCO 234516

Marine Biologists study the anatomy, physiology, functions, characteristics, behaviour and environments of all forms or life living in the sea and connected water bodies.
Skill Level
1
Skills Assessment Requirement

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Marine Biologist is Vocational & Education Training Assessment (VETASSESS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Qualification assessed at Australian Bachelor degree or higher in a highly relevant field of study AND at least one year of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years
  • Applicants must meet both the qualification and employment requirements to obtain a positive skills assessment
  • A highly relevant field of study has a major focus in Marine Science, the study of marine and estuarine plants and wildlife, including freshwater science.
Potential Visa Pathways for Marine Biologist
ANZSCOOccupationSkills Assessment189190485 491 (State)491 (Family)186 (Direct)407 (Training)494 (regional Sponsored)482 (TSS Medium Term)
234516Marine BiologistVETASSESS

Group: 2345 Life Scientists

Description
Examine the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of humans, animals, plants and other living organisms to better understand how living organisms function and interact with each other and the environment in which they live.
Tasks
  • Designing and conducting experiments, making observations and measurements, researching information, analysing data, preparing or supervising the preparation of laboratory reports and scientific papers, presenting findings at scientific meetings and conferences, and supervising the work of staff
  • Studying the forms and structures of bodily organs and tissues by systematic observation, dissection and microscopic examination
  • Investigating the chemical structure and function of living cells and their isolated components, organs and tissues in humans, animals, plants, and micro-organisms
  • Examining micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, yeast and their enzymes, and using the knowledge gained to create and develop new, and improve existing, products, materials and processes
  • Investigating the effects of environmental factors, such as rainfall, temperature, sunlight, soil, topography and disease, on plant growth
  • Planning and undertaking experiments to study, measure and understand marine animals and plants
  • Studying the growth and characteristics of micro-organisms, such as bacteria, algae and fungi, and the effects they have on plants, animals and humans to develop medical, veterinary, industrial, environmental and other practical applications
  • Investigating the interrelationships between animals in their natural surroundings, in captivity and in laboratories
Skill Level
In Australia and New Zealand:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Occupations in this Group
  • 234511 Life Scientist (General)
  • 234513 Biochemist
  • 234514 Biotechnologist
  • 234515 Botanist
  • 234516 Marine Biologist
  • 234517 Microbiologist
  • 234518 Zoologist
  • 234599 Life Scientists nec
How to calculate your points (skilled visas)

To apply for a skilled visa, you need to know how many points you can score. The minimum score to be eligible for application is 65 points. However, depending on your occupation, the competitiveness, and the states you are applying to, you might need to score more points to get an invite.

Points will be given to you based on the following:

Click here to calculate your points.

189 visa – Skilled Independent Visa

This 189 visa allows you to live, work and study in Australia permanently. It is a points-tested visa. The minimum score to apply is 65 points. However, based on previous invitation rounds, you would need to achieve a higher score to have a better chance of obtaining an invitation.

In short, to be eligible for visa 189, you need to meet the following criteria:

Immigration Points

Must score at least 65 points. Due to the competitive nature of this visa, a pool mark does not guarantee an invitation to apply.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age. There is however no age limit for the 189 NZ stream.

be invited

Must lodge the EOI and be invited by the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the visa.

Skills assessment

Must have positive skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific assessing authority.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.

Subclass 190 visa– Skilled Nominated Visa & Subclass 491 visa – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

To apply for visa subclass 190 and visa subclass 491, you need to have a nomination from the state/territory government where you want to live and work. Each State and Territory have individual requirements that must be met in order to receive nomination. (See below)

While the 190 visa is a permanent visa, subclass 491 visa gives you right to live and work in regional Australia for 5 years with a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa.

Another difference between the 190 and 491 visa is that you can only apply for visa subclass 491 if you are living and working in regional areas in Australia, while it is not a requirement if you are applying for the 190 visa.

In summary, to be eligible for 190 visa, you need to meet the following criteria:

Immigration Points

Must score at least 65 points, or higher points if the state or territory requires.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, or higher if the state or territory requires.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age.

be invited

Must lodge an EOI and be invited by the state or territory and then apply for the visa.

Skills assessment

Must have positive skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific assessing authority.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.


To check if the state/ territory government requirements for your occupation, refer to the following links

State/ Territory
Links to requirements
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Tasmania
Queensland

485 Visa – Graduate Temporary Visa (Graduate Work Stream)

The 485 visa is a work visa available to international students who have completed two years of study in Australia. It is an 18-month visa that has full work rights and full study rights. It also allows you to travel freely to and from Australia throughout the validity of the visa.

To be eligible for visa 485, you need to meet the following criteria:

Age

You must be under 50 years of age.

Education

Must have completed a two-year CRISCOS registered course(s).

Subclass 491 Family Sponsored visa – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

This 491 Family sponsored visa requires you to have a family member who is living in regional area to sponsor you. This visa offers pathway to permanent residency through visa subclass 191.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age.

be invited

Must lodge an EOI and be invited by DHA to apply for the visa.

Skills assessment

Must have positive skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific assessing authority.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.

Subclass 186 visa – Employer Nomination Scheme

If you have an employer who is willing to sponsor you, you may be eligible for a Subclass 186 visa. This visa is permanent and will allow you to live, work and study in Australia indefinitely. To be eligible for this visa, you need to have at least 3 years of working experience in your nominated occupation and a positive skills assessment. Alternatively, if you are a holder of a Subclass 457 or TSS visa, you can apply for Subclass 186 after working for your employer for at least 3 years under the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

Experience

At least 3-year fulltime work experience in the nominated occupation.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age, unless exempt.

Be Sponsored

Must be sponsored by an Australian employer.

Skills assessment

Must have a positive skills assessment. Exemptions apply for the 186TRT.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.

407  Training Visa

The 407 visa a short stay visa for individuals to participate in occupational training or professional development in Australia. This visa is generally valid to stay in Australia for 2 years. Please note this visa is subject to condition 8102 which forbids work apart from the training that is specified in the visa application. You are also required to maintain health insurance whilst in Australia.

To be eligible for visa 407, you need to meet the following criteria:

GTE

You must prove that you genuinely stay in Australia for training and will depart when you complete the training.

English Level

Must have Functional English, i.e. IELTS overall 4.5 with no band less than 4, or equivalent.

Age

Must be over 18 years old.

Be Sponsored

You must be sponsored by an approved temporary activities sponsor – Can be an employer or a commonwealth agency

Health and Character

Must meet health and character requirements.

Subclass 494 visa – Skilled Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa

You can apply for subclass 494 if you have a regional employer who is willing to sponsor you. To be eligible for this visa, you must have at least 3 years of working experience in your nominated occupation and have a relevant skills assessment. With this visa, there is a requirement that you must work for the employer who is sponsoring you.

This visa provides pathway to permanent residency through the 191 visa.

Experience

At least 3 years full-time work experience in the nominated occupation.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age, unless exempt.

Be Sponsored

Must be sponsored by an Australian regional employer.

Subclass 482 visa – Temporary Skill Shortage (Medium Term) visa

The Subclass 482 visa is a Temporary Skill Shortage visa that requires a sponsorship from an Australian employer. This visa allows to your live and work in Australia for up to 4 years. You may apply for as many 482 visas as you want, as long as the employer is willing to sponsor you.

English Level

Must have IELTS overall of atleast 5.0 with no band less than 5.0.

Age

There is no age requirement for this visa.

Health and Character

Must meet health and character requirements.

Job Outlook

  • $1,794 AUD

    Weekly Earnings

  • 78%

    Work full time hours

  • Moderate

    Growth expected in the next 5 years

  • 40% female

    Gender share

  • 43 hours

    Average full-time

  • Very High skill

    Skill level rating

Study Pathway to Marine Biologist

To become a marine biologist you usually have to study marine or environmental biology, marine science, marine environment or a related field at university. You may also consider major streams that emphasise marine biology, such as aquaculture. A bachelor degree in science can then follow into a major in marine biology or science. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, chemistry, earth and environmental science, biology and physics are normally required.

Bachelor of Marine Biology

  • Duration: 3 years
  • Total Course Cost Approx: $128,850 AUD
  • Completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent
  • English proficiency requirement – IELTS 6.5 overall with no band less than 6.0
  • Bachelor of Marine Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Marine Science

Book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find out more about your visa options and your path to Australian permanent residency or applying for citizenship.