Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent visa (Points-tested stream)
Submitted EOIsAt least 297
Most common submitted EOI points †65 points
Recent invited-status presenceNo published EOIs with invited status appear
Visa applications lodged<20*
Microbiologist - ANZSCO 234517
Skilled occupation profile
Microbiologist
ANZSCO 234517Microbiologist studies microscopic forms of life such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa.
MLTSSLSkilled Employer Sponsored Regional Occupations
Recent SkillSelect information
Recent SkillSelect information for Microbiologist
SkillSelect information published for May 2026 provides a historical snapshot of available EOI activity for Microbiologist, ANZSCO 234517. Selected published indicators relevant to this occupation are shown below.
Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated visa
Submitted EOIsAt least 628
Most common submitted EOI points †75 points
Recent invited-status presence<20*
Visa applications lodged<20*
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – State or Territory nominated
Submitted EOIsAt least 779
Most common submitted EOI points †70 points
Recent invited-status presenceNo published EOIs with invited status appear
Visa applications lodged<20*
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – Family Sponsored
Submitted EOIs<20*
Recent invited-status presenceNo published EOIs with invited status appear
Visa applications lodged<20*
* <20: the official source published a small-number value below 20. The exact number is not shown by the official source.
† PointsView-calculated indicator: calculated from the published SkillSelect points distribution where sufficient data is available.
This information gives historical SkillSelect EOI information. It does not predict invitation chances, guarantee visa outcomes, or state a minimum invitation score.
Occupation guide
Occupation details and migration pathways
This guide brings together the key occupation tasks, possible visa pathways and skills assessment information for Microbiologist ANZSCO 234517.
Typical tasks and duties
Microbiologists may perform the following tasks:
- develop products, such as antibiotics, detergents or cosmetics, that either combat diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms or harness the positive capabilities of microorganisms
- test samples from patients, isolating and identifying the microbes that cause illness, examining their susceptibility to antibiotics and giving advice about appropriate treatment
- prevent and control the spread of harmful microbes in hospitals, the food industry and the general population
- advise the government about public health policies
- examine natural products for their ability to inhibit the growth of dangerous microbes and apply their findings to the medical and food industries
- investigate the potential of microbes to improve human and animal health through nutrition
- develop and improve fermented drinks and foods, such as beer, wine, cheese and yoghurt
- research the microbiology of plants and use microbes to control pests, weeds and animal diseases
- study DNA and the use of bacteria to introduce specially engineered genes into an organism in order to fight disease or to change a specific feature of the organism
- use their knowledge of microbiology to minimise the environmental impact of production and clean up existing pollution
- investigate the ways in which microorganisms can be used to improve and enhance products that impact on quality of life, such as food and beverages.
Possible visa pathways
This occupation appears on MLTSSL and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Occupations. The right visa pathway depends on factors such as your age, English level, qualifications, work experience, skills assessment, points score, nomination options and employer sponsorship.
Skilled Independent visa subclass 189A permanent skilled visa for invited applicants who may be able to apply without state, territory or employer sponsorship.Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190A permanent skilled visa for applicants nominated by an Australian state or territory government.Skilled Work Regional visa subclass 491A provisional regional skilled visa for applicants nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible family member.Employer Nomination Scheme visa subclass 186A permanent employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer.Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa subclass 494A provisional regional employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in regional Australia.
Skills assessment
For skilled migration purposes, Microbiologist usually requires a suitable skills assessment. Relevant assessing authorities may include:
Additional occupation-specific assessment information
Microbiologist is classified as Group A occupations by Vetassess. The criteria for skills assessment of Group A occupations is to hold qualification(s) assessed at Australian Bachelor degree or higher degree with a highly relevant field of study and at least one year of post-qualification highly relevant employment in the last five years.
Legacy subclass 187 pathway
Do you currently hold, or have you previously held, a subclass 457 or 482 visa?
If you have worked for a sponsoring employer in regional Australia, please note that Microbiologist — ANZSCO 234517 was included in the legacy Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) occupation list. The subclass 187 Direct Entry stream is closed to new applications, but the Temporary Residence Transition stream may remain available to certain transitional subclass 457 and subclass 482 workers. Eligibility is limited and depends on your visa history, relevant dates, sponsored regional employment, employer nomination, age, English and other requirements. Being included on this occupation list does not establish eligibility.
If this may describe your circumstances, we can assess whether the subclass 187 transitional arrangements may still apply to you.
Check your options
Check your skilled migration options
If Microbiologist is your nominated occupation, complete our skilled visa assessment form so we can review your possible migration pathways.
PointsView report available
Microbiologist historical SkillSelect report
The current PointsView report includes historical SkillSelect data through June 2026 for ANZSCO 234517.
View report detailsPurchase full report
Historical information does not predict invitations, visa outcomes or migration eligibility.
Reviewed by Principal Migration Consultant
Reviewed by Mohammad Reza Azimi
This occupation page has been reviewed for migration context by Shada Migration Services. Mohammad has assisted clients with Australian migration matters since 2009 and holds a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law from the Australian National University.
Last reviewed: July 2026
