ZOOLOGIST | ANZSCO 234518

WHAT DOES A ZOOLOGIST DO?

A Zoologist under ANZSCO 234518 studies the origin, anatomy, physiology, genetics, characteristics, ecology, behaviour, and environments of animals. The occupation sits at ANZSCO Skill Level 1, which generally requires a bachelor's degree or higher qualification in zoology or a closely related animal biological science, sometimes combined with additional research experience.

Typical day to day duties include:

• Designing and conducting rigorous laboratory and field experiments, making systematic observations and biometric measurements on animal biology
• Studying the internal forms and structures of animal organs, tissues, and cellular systems through microscopic examination, dissection, and histological techniques
• Analysing biological data and preparing or supervising the production of laboratory reports, peer-reviewed scientific papers, and environmental management plans
• Investigating animal behaviour, breeding dynamics, ecological niches, and population genetics in the wild or within managed wildlife sanctuaries
• Assessing the impacts of habitat fragmentation, climate change, bushfires, and invasive pest species on native fauna populations
• Presenting research findings at national and international scientific conferences and academic symposiums
• Supervising the scientific work of technical staff, field assistants, or laboratory researchers

SUBCLASS 482 FOR ZOOLOGISTS – CSOL LIST

The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa replaced the older Temporary Skill Shortage visa in December 2024, bringing a new occupation list with it. The Core Skills Occupation List, known as the CSOL, consolidated the previous strategic skills lists into one list covering several hundred occupations across professional, trade, and technical fields.

Zoologist sits on the CSOL under the code ANZSCO 234518, and this is the code an employer nominates against for a Core Skills stream 482 visa. The occupation also appears on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which means it can support points-tested skilled migration (Subclass 189/190/491) in addition to employer-sponsored pathways. Confirming the correct list and stream for your circumstances is something worth checking with a registered migration agent before a nomination is lodged.

SUBCLASS 482 ANZSCO REQUIREMENT FOR ZOOLOGISTS

Your nominated occupation has to genuinely match the work you will actually be doing for your sponsoring employer. The Department of Home Affairs looks past job titles and checks the duties described in your nomination against the ANZSCO definition for 234518.

Zoologist sits at ANZSCO Skill Level 1, which lines up with a bachelor's degree or higher qualification in a highly relevant zoology or biological science field. If the role on paper looks more like an animal keeper, wildlife handler, or sanctuary guide position rather than a zoologist role with genuine scientific research, ecological surveying, and analytical responsibility, the nomination can run into trouble. Getting the occupation description right at this stage saves a lot of back and forth later.

ANZSCO requirement for Zoologists includes a Bachelor degree or higher qualification in a highly relevant field, sometimes combined with relevant experience or on the job training (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

SC 482 VISA REQUIREMENT FOR ZOOLOGISTS

To be granted a Subclass 482 visa under the Core Skills stream as a Zoologist, applicants generally need to meet the following:

• A genuine, approved sponsor. Your employer, such as a research institute, university, zoological garden, wildlife conservation sanctuary, or environmental consultancy, must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor, or in the process of becoming one
• An approved nomination for ANZSCO 234518, with a salary at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold and matching the Annual Market Salary Rate for the role
• At least one year of full-time equivalent work experience in zoology, wildlife ecology, or a closely related biological field, completed within the past five years
• A positive VETASSESS skills assessment where mandatory under Department of Home Affairs guidelines
• English requirements as outlined further below, unless an exemption applies
• A clear health examination through an approved panel physician
• Police clearance certificates from every country lived in for twelve months or more

The Core Skills Income Threshold currently sits at AUD $79,423 per year, applying to nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 onward, and it is indexed each year, so it is always worth checking the current figure on the Home Affairs website before an employer lodges a nomination. The visa itself can be granted for a period of up to four years, depending on individual circumstances, and a partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants with full work and study rights in Australia.

SUBCLASS 482 VISA APPLICATION CHARGES

Visa application charges are indexed and change from 1 July each year. The primary applicant VAC for the Subclass 482 Core Skills stream is currently AUD $3,115 (plus matching charges for adult dependants and reduced charges for minor dependants). Budget separately for any nomination fees, the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy paid by the employer, and VETASSESS assessment fees.

SKILLS ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT FOR ZOOLOGIST – SUBCLASS 482 SKILLS IN DEMAND (SID) VISA

VETASSESS is the relevant skills assessing authority for Zoologist, ANZSCO 234518.

A skills assessment is not required for every Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa applicant. It is only mandatory where required under the Department of Home Affairs' mandatory skills assessment requirements, which apply to specified occupations and passport countries. Applicants should confirm with VETASSESS or a registered migration agent whether their specific passport and occupation combination triggers a mandatory assessment.

For a positive assessment, VETASSESS classifies Zoologist as a Group A occupation. This requires a qualification assessed as comparable to an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree or higher, in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation, such as zoology, animal biology, or wildlife ecology. Applicants must also show at least one year of highly relevant, post-qualification employment (working 20 hours or more per week) at an appropriate skill level, completed within the last five years.

Applicants should provide comprehensive documentary evidence, including:

• Academic transcripts and award certificates clearly demonstrating the relevant zoological field of study and syllabus
• Official employment reference letters on organizational letterhead outlining job title, detailed research duties, employment dates, and hours worked per week
• Evidence connecting daily responsibilities directly to the ANZSCO 234518 description
• Supporting materials such as research publications, conference proceedings, animal ethics approvals, field survey reports, or fauna research logs

Providing a clear, consistent relationship between qualifications, employment history, and duties helps VETASSESS assess an application efficiently and may significantly reduce processing delays.

SUBCLASS 186 FOR ZOOLOGISTS – EMPLOYER NOMINATION SCHEME

The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme is Australia's main permanent employer-sponsored visa, and for many Zoologists already working in Australia on a 482 visa, it is the natural next step. The Direct Entry stream is the relevant pathway for applicants who have not yet worked long enough with their employer to qualify for the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, or who are applying from outside Australia altogether.

Unlike the temporary 482 visa, a grant under the Subclass 186 gives the applicant and their family Australian permanent residency from the day it is approved, providing access to Medicare, unrestricted work rights, and a direct pathway to Australian citizenship.

SC 186 VISA REQUIREMENT FOR ZOOLOGISTS

For the Direct Entry stream, applicants generally need to meet the following criteria:

• A nomination from an approved Australian employer for a genuine, full-time, ongoing zoologist position available for at least two years
• A salary that meets or exceeds the Core Skills Income Threshold and the Australian Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the role
• A positive VETASSESS skills assessment in the nominated occupation (ANZSCO 234518) that is current at the time of lodgement
• At least three years of full-time relevant post-qualification work experience in zoology or wildlife biology
• Being under 45 years of age at the time of application, unless an exemption applies
• Competent English, demonstrated by an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no band below 6.0, or an accepted equivalent
• Complete medical examinations and police clearances for all migrating family members

This is a noticeably higher bar than the 482 visa, both on English language proficiency and on work experience, which is one reason many Zoologists use the Subclass 482 visa as a stepping stone before applying for permanent residency under the 186.

SKILLS ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT FOR ZOOLOGISTS – SC 186 VISA

Unlike the 482, a positive skills assessment from VETASSESS is mandatory for almost every Direct Entry 186 applicant in this occupation, unless a specific exemption applies, and it needs to be current (issued within the last 3 years) at the time the visa application is lodged.

The same assessment criteria apply here as for the 482: a qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree or higher in a highly relevant field, together with at least one year of highly relevant, post-qualification employment. Because the Direct Entry stream also requires three years of relevant experience on top of the assessment itself, it helps to start gathering employment evidence, reference letters, and qualification documents well before applying, since both the VETASSESS assessment and document preparation take time.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Every skilled or employer-sponsored visa in Australia comes with an English language test, and the score needed depends on which visa is being applied for. For Zoologists looking at the 482 and 186 pathways, the bar is different at each stage, which catches a lot of applicants off guard.

For the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa (Core Skills stream), applicants generally need scores equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 5.0 with no band below 5.0.

For the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Direct Entry stream), the standard is higher: Competent English requires an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band below 6.0.

EXEMPTIONS ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Citizens of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland who hold a valid passport are generally exempt from formal English language testing, along with applicants who have completed a set period of study conducted in English (e.g. at least 5 years of full-time secondary or higher education in English for 482 visa purposes).

Test results typically need to be current within three years of lodgement. If an existing test result is nearing expiry, it is strongly advised to sit the test again before applying rather than discovering an invalid score partway through Department of Home Affairs processing.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION IN AUSTRALIA (ZOOLOGIST)

A positive skills assessment gets an applicant through the migration process, and unlike many other skilled occupations, there is currently no legal requirement to hold a separate licence or statutory registration to work as a Zoologist anywhere in Australia. Zoologists typically work within research institutes, universities, zoological institutions, wildlife sanctuaries, or government conservation bodies.

Even without a mandatory state licence, many Zoologists build professional credibility through membership in relevant scientific societies, published research, and conference presentations, including:

• Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales (RZS NSW): Australia's oldest zoological society devoted to promoting and advancing zoology
• Australian Wildlife Management Society (AWMS): Promoting scientific wildlife management principles and conservation across Australasia
• Australian Mammal Society (AMS): Professional society for mammalogists and native animal biologists
• Ecological Society of Australia (ESA): The peak national association for ecologists and biological scientists

SALARY EXPECTATIONS IN AUSTRALIA

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, median full-time earnings for the Life Scientists group (ANZSCO 2345), which includes Zoologists, work out to around $1,544 a week, which is roughly $80,290 a year. Actual pay for individual zoologists varies with specialisation, seniority, and whether the role sits within academia, government conservation, environmental consulting, or zoological parks.

Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and regional conservation hubs remain active employment centres given their major zoological institutions and wildlife research facilities. All sponsored roles must meet or exceed the Core Skills Income Threshold ($79,423/yr) and the Annual Market Salary Rate for the role.

WHY ZOOLOGISTS ARE IN DEMAND IN AUSTRALIA

• Native wildlife conservation & recovery: Urgent ongoing research into threatened, vulnerable, and endangered Australian native species recovery plans
• Government & academic research investment: Continued funding through national grant schemes for biodiversity mapping, habitat restoration, and fauna impact studies
• Domestic skills shortage: A limited domestic graduate pipeline of specialized zoologists relative to the immense geographic scale of Australian conservation needs
• Environmental impact assessments (EIAs): Strong regulatory demand for qualified zoologists to conduct fauna surveys and habitat impact assessments for renewable energy, mining, and infrastructure developments
• Captive breeding & zoo conservation: Ongoing requirement for zoologists overseeing insurance breeding populations, disease management, and rewilding initiatives in zoological parks
• The inclusion of Zoologist on the Core Skills Occupation List reflects this recognised, ongoing need for qualified wildlife science professionals at a national level

EMPLOYER SPONSORSHIP FOR ZOOLOGISTS IN AUSTRALIA

Australian research institutes, universities, zoos and wildlife parks, and government conservation agencies can sponsor overseas Zoologists through the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa, the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa, and other eligible employer-sponsored visa pathways when suitably qualified Australian workers are unavailable. With ongoing demand for zoology and wildlife research skills, employer sponsorship has become an effective way for these organisations to recruit experienced overseas zoologists and address workforce gaps.

At Migration Republic, we assist employers with every stage of the employer sponsorship process, including Standard Business Sponsorship applications, labour market testing where required, nomination applications, visa lodgements, and ongoing sponsorship compliance. Our Registered Migration Agents ensure your business meets all Department of Home Affairs requirements while making the sponsorship process as straightforward and efficient as possible.

Whether you need to sponsor a Zoologist for a university faculty, a government conservation agency, a wildlife park, or an environmental consultancy, we can help you identify the most suitable employer-sponsored visa pathway. We work with organisations of all sizes across Australia, helping employers sponsor skilled zoologists under the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa and secure permanent residence pathways through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, where eligible.

We help research, conservation, and wildlife employers with:

• Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) applications and renewals
• Sponsoring overseas Zoologists under the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa
• Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Direct Entry and TRT applications
• Labour Market Testing (LMT) guidance and compliance reviews
• Employer nomination applications and genuine position statements
• Employer sponsorship compliance obligations and record-keeping audits
• Permanent residency pathways for sponsored zoologists and their families

If your organisation is looking to sponsor a Zoologist in Australia or recruit skilled overseas researchers, Migration Republic can provide expert advice and manage the entire employer sponsorship process from start to finish, allowing you to focus on your operations while we take care of your migration requirements.

Interactive Tools

Calculate Points & Check Your Visa Eligibility

Use our interactive self-service migration tools to calculate your points score, test your eligibility, and discover your potential Australian visa options instantly.

HOW MIGRATION REPUBLIC CAN HELP YOU

Migrating to Australia as a Zoologist means navigating a VETASSESS skills assessment, a choice between two visa pathways with different English and experience thresholds, and salary requirements that are indexed every year. Our registered migration agents at Migration Republic handle this every day, and we can help you get it right the first time.

Here's what we take care of for you:

• Confirming that ANZSCO 234518 correctly matches your qualifications and intended role, rather than related animal care or general life science codes
• Preparing a complete, decision-ready VETASSESS skills assessment application
• Structuring your employment references, field survey logs, and research evidence so they meet VETASSESS requirements
• Comparing the 482 Skills in Demand and 186 Permanent Residency pathways to find the right fit for your circumstances
• Managing your full visa application from lodgement through to final visa grant

Frequently Asked Questions – Employer Sponsorship for Zoologists