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The skilled migration process can be an important route for medical laboratory workers who wish to move to Australia. A positive AIMS skills assessment (the Australian Institute for Medical and Health Studies) can potentially help a medical laboratory worker migrate to Australia. Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) is a professional body that evaluates qualifications and skills for certain medical laboratory occupations for the skilled migration program in Australia.
Applicants are judged against the criteria set out for their nominated occupation by AIMS, and they are considered suitable or not suitable. AIMS is now the assessing authority for Medical Laboratory Scientist (ANZSCO 234611) and Medical Laboratory Technician (ANZSCO 311213) occupations for migration purposes.
Consideration of academic qualifications, overseas professional experience, evidence of English language proficiency and other supporting documentation may be included in the assessment process for applicants with overseas qualifications. A professional examination may also be required depending on the pathway of qualification.
Having an understanding of the AIMS assessment requirements prior to making an application will enable an applicant to submit the right documents and avoid wasting unnecessary time.
AIMS Skills Assessment is a process of assessing the skills and qualifications of an applicant against the Skills Council’s requirements for a relevant medical laboratory occupation in Australia.
AIMS will make individual assessments and may decide if the applicant is suitable for the nominated occupation. The evaluation is not part of the visa application process. AIMS specifically states that it can give applicants information on applications for skills assessment, but other questions related to migration and visa applications should be directed to the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
The assessment might apply to skilled migration candidates who need a skills assessment for Australia’s skilled visa pathways.
The positive assessment does not mean that an Australian visa is granted and does not guarantee employment. It is a part of the broader migration process.
The assessment is undertaken via the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS).
The peak professional association for medical scientists in medical laboratory science in Australia is AIMS. It is responsible for professional representation, accreditation of programs at universities, qualification assessment and skills assessment for migration.
AIMS is now using the following occupations for migration purposes:
The process of assessing varies by occupation and qualifications/experience of the applicant.
Specific requirements will vary according to your nominated occupation and education pathway. Generally, however, an Applicant should be ready to substantiate their:
Occupational-specific guidelines and application forms, such as checklists to assist applicants in preparing applications, are available from AIMS.
Academic qualification is among the most crucial parts of the assessment.
AIMS decides if the qualification is suitable for the nominated occupation. Applicants who have completed an Australian Higher Education program accredited by AIMS may have a different assessment pathway to those who have an overseas or non-accredited qualification.
If you have studied elsewhere than Australia, it is especially important to supply all academic information and documents which enable AIMS to assess your qualification.
For those applicants who have taken a pathway in the past that involves post-graduate medical laboratory experience, this can become a key consideration.
Evidence of employment should clearly show:
If there are gaps or unclear employment history, it may lead to problems verifying it during the process.
AIMS has revised its guidelines on English language test requirements. In accordance with this, AIMS has deleted specific test scores from its guidelines and application forms and refers to the Department of Home Affairs for the relevant English language requirements from 12 March 2026, and also states which accepted test scores will appear on its guidelines.
Applicants are therefore advised to review the guidelines for the assessment of the relevant AIMS and the current Home Affairs requirements before providing evidence.
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Medical Laboratory Scientist is a classification in the Australian Skills Committee (ASC) 234611 – Laboratory Assistant (Medical Laboratories).
AIMS offers various options for applicants based on their academic history.
Medical Laboratory Scientists may be classified under the set conditions as those who have completed an AIMS-accredited program.
The current AIMS guidelines indicate that the AIMS Medical Laboratory Scientist Professional Examination is not necessary for applicants on this pathway. Postgraduate professional experience is also not a criterion on this pathway; however, applicants may want to weigh the impact of work experience on their migration points and visa planning.
AIMS points out that the individual must make sure that the completed subjects meet the accreditation pathway relevant to the accredited qualification that they hold.
Applicants who have an AIMS accredited degree may need to undertake a two-stage process.
AIMS reviews the Applicant’s academic and professional documentation to decide if the Applicant meets the qualifications to advance.
Here are some of the requirements according to the current guidelines:
Applicants who meet the requirements for this pathway may be required to sit the AIMS Medical Laboratory Scientist Professional Examination.
The exam includes a review of the following areas of medical laboratory science:
According to AIMS, the professional exams are held twice a year—September and March—through remote proctored software on the Internet.
ANZSCO 311213 is the classification for the Medical Laboratory Technician occupation.
Applicants’ skills are measured against the requirements of AIMS relevant to this occupation. AIMS considers qualifications and supporting evidence to make a determination of suitability for classification as Medical Laboratory Technician.
It is important to note, however, that AIMS is not responsible for a professional examination for the Medical Laboratory Technician occupation.
Hence, Applicants are advised to read the current Medical Laboratory Technician guidelines carefully before preparing their applications.
Now, the application process can be summarized as below.
Step 1
The first step is to identify the occupation for which to make a nomination.
For example:
Medical Laboratory Scientist – ANZSCO 234611
or
Medical Laboratory Technician – ANZSCO 311213
The AIMS requirements and pathway will depend on your occupation.
Step 2
Read occupation-specific AIMS guidelines carefully.
Candidates are recommended to carefully read the instructions before filling in the Application Form.
Step 3
Your route may be determined by:
Candidates who have not completed an AIMS recognised degree may require assessment of their documents and, when relevant, a professional examination.
Step 4
Gather all necessary paperwork before starting the application.
Make sure names, dates, qualifications and employment information are consistent across your documents.
Step 5
Fill out the proper AIMS application and submit supporting documentation and fee.
Step 6
AIMS conducts due diligence checks.AIMS verifies relevant information and credentials.
AIMS can make contact with applicants if AIMS cannot confirm identity, English proficiency, employment, education or registration/licensing information.
Step 7
Once processed, the application and supporting documents may be presented to the AIMS Assessment Committee.
The committee evaluates the applicant in relation to the requirements.
Step 8
The assessment results of applicants are provided by AIMS.
The outcome, depending on the pathway, may also signify whether the applicant can advance to a professional exam.
The processing time depends on the use, the document verification, and assessment requirements.
At the present time AIMS’ guidelines are set to get assessments done within six months of receipt, but with supporting documents requiring verification, the processing may get longer.
Applicants are therefore advised to refrain from taking a decision on their travel, employment or visa based on an assumed processing time.
Complete and well-prepared applications can help minimize avoidable delays.
At present, the following fees for qualification and skills assessments are listed in AIMS:
Assessment | Outside Australia | Within Australia |
Medical Laboratory Scientist & Technician | AUD $900 | AUD $990 |
Medical Laboratory Scientist – IVF Embryologist | AUD $900 | AUD $990 |
Phlebotomy & Pathology Collector | AUD $900 | AUD $990 |
Professional Examination – Medical Laboratory Scientist | AUD $800 | AUD $880 |
Professional Examination – IVF Embryologist | AUD $800 | AUD $880 |
The assessment fee listed above is not inclusive of GST for persons outside Australia and inclusive of GST for persons within Australia. Also, AIMS points out that there is no guarantee that fees will remain the same.
All applicants should always check the current fee before payment, as it is always subject to change at AIMS.
There are a number of things that can make an assessment more complex or possibly take longer than anticipated.
The delivery of school or work documents may be delayed if they have not been received.
AIMS may require verification of qualifications, employment, identity or other information.
Variations in names, dates, job titles or employment dates within the documents can generate further queries.
Those who are applying for the program through experience should make sure their letters of reference document the professional experience required.
If you apply under an unqualified occupation or don’t understand the difference between an AIMS-accredited degree pathway and another pathway can cause unnecessary complications.
Applications that are not complete for over a year may be withdrawn and closed, according to AIMS.
These two processes should not be confused.
AIMS membership is related to professional membership of the institute.
AIMS Skills Assessment for migration is an assessment designed with a focus on migration.
It is evident in AIMS’ own regulations that AIMS membership is not permitted for migration. Applicants intending to migrate should apply for the appropriate skills assessment and qualification.
Likewise, the migration skills assessment cannot be replaced by an AIMS membership examination.
Some applicants may need to complete the AIMS Professional Examination after successfully completing the document assessment stage.
The Medical Laboratory Scientists profession has a professional examination, which is divided into seven sections, representing the major disciplines of medical laboratory science.
AIMS is currently running professional exams twice a year, typically in the spring (March) and fall (September).
All applicants are required to go through the document assessment process and be assessed as eligible before submitting an application for the professional examination.
This is a crucial part of the document evaluation process for candidates on an examination pathway.
Filling out an AIMS Skills Assessment application may be difficult, especially if you have overseas qualifications or extensive work experience.
Applicants can get help from professionals to:
But professional help doesn’t mean a positive assessment will come out the right way. Applications are self-assessed by AIMS based on their evaluation criteria.
CDR reports, resumes, VETASSESS, and RPL applications can be challenging to prepare. Our team of professionals has effectively helped clients obtain approval with professional services that address all of these needs.
CDR Writers offers organized help for experts in preparing documentation for Australian skills assessment paths.
We have a focus on supporting applicants and making the information they are submitting clear and consistent.
We can help you with:
We want to ensure your application is well organised to meet AIMS requirements.
An AIMS Skills Assessment can be a crucial process for qualified medical laboratory professionals who want to apply for Australian skilled migration programs. For qualified medical laboratory practitioners who are interested in applying for skilled visas in Australia, getting an AIMS Skills Assessment is a crucial process. This may include a comprehensive evaluation of qualifications, professional experiences, evidence of English language proficiency, and supporting documentation.
The assessment pathway will be determined according to occupation, qualification, and professional background. It is thus recommended that the applicants read the latest AIMS guidelines thoroughly before applying.
Professional preparation support can assist you in preparing for your application and uncover any potential issues prior to submission if there are any questions.
Need assistance with preparation of the AIMS Skills Assessment? Seek expert advice from CDR Writers for document preparation and support in applying for your qualification.
The information contained on this page is for general information only. There is a possibility of changes in the requirements, fee and procedure for AIMS; applicants are advised to check with AIMS and the Department of Home Affairs before submitting their applications.
An AIMS Skills Assessment serves as an evaluation of skills and occupations for those who wish to be evaluated for the qualifications and skill requirements for occupations in the medical laboratory field in Australia.
Yes. The assessing authority for Medical Laboratory Scientist, ANZSCO 234611 is AIMS for relevant migration purposes.
The ANZSCO code is 234611.
The ANZSCO code is 311213.
No. This requirement will be based on the assessment pathway and qualification of the applicant. For instance, graduates of programs that are accredited by AIMS may be considered to be Medical Laboratory Scientists without having completed the AIMS Medical Laboratory Scientist Professional Examination along the path.
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