Migrate to Australia as a chemist in 2025. Chemist (ANZSCO 234211) sits firmly on the Core Skills Occupation List, giving direct access to the Skills in Demand visa, 189, 190, 491, and 186 PR pathways. Complete guide to skills assessment, points, salaries and real job demand.
Introduction
Australia currently faces an acute shortage of qualified chemists. The resources sector, pharmaceuticals, environmental monitoring, food safety and medical research industries all compete for talent. Chemist (ANZSCO 234211) is on the Core Skills Occupation List with confident drafting status, placing it in the Core Skills stream of the new Skills in Demand visa and keeping it eligible for points-tested permanent residency visas 189, 190 and 491. Processing times are faster and invitation scores are lower than for off-list occupations. This detailed 2025 guide shows overseas chemists exactly how to turn their qualifications into Australian permanent residency.
Chemist on the Core Skills Occupation List – 2025 Status Confirmed
As of November 2025, Chemist (ANZSCO 234211) remains on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) at “confident” drafting level. This means the occupation qualifies for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (4-year temporary visa with clear PR pathway) and stays eligible for the points-tested Skilled Independent (189), Skilled Nominated (190) and Skilled Work Regional (491) visas.
The inclusion is not temporary or provisional – it reflects ongoing labour-market testing across mining, pharmaceuticals, defence, environmental services and research sectors. Analytical Chemist, Industrial Chemist, Research Chemist and Forensic Chemist roles all fall under the same ANZSCO code, so the same migration benefits apply regardless of specialisation.
Being on the CSOL also keeps the occupation exempt from labour-market testing in many employer-sponsored applications and gives priority processing in the SkillSelect EOI system.
Main Visa Pathways Open to Chemists in 2025
1. Skills in Demand visa – Core Skills stream
Valid 4 years, full work rights, pathway to PR after 2–3 years via 191 or 186. Minimum salary threshold is the Core Skills Income Threshold (currently AUD $73,150 indexed annually). Most sponsored chemist roles easily exceed this.
2. Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – points-tested, no sponsor required
Chemists routinely receive invitations at 85–95 points in 2025 (lower than the 95–110+ required for many off-list occupations).
3. Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) – adds 5 points for state nomination
Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania actively nominate chemists in 2025.
4. Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – adds 15 points
Very popular pathway; many chemists move to regional areas (Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle, Geelong, etc.) and convert to PR after 3 years.
5. Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Direct Entry stream
Immediate permanent residency with a qualifying job offer. Common in mining, oil & gas and pharmaceutical companies.
VETASSESS Skills Assessment – The Essential First Step
VETASSESS is the assessing authority for Chemist (ANZSCO 234211).
For a positive skills assessment you need:
– A qualification assessed as comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree or higher in chemistry or a highly related field (chemical engineering, biochemistry, pharmacology, forensic science, etc. are usually accepted if the major is chemistry).
– If the degree is deemed highly relevant → no post-qualification experience required for the assessment itself (though experience adds points later).
– If the degree is related but not highly relevant → minimum 1 year highly relevant experience in last 5 years.
Current processing time for priority processing is 8–10 weeks (standard is 12–15 weeks). Cost is AUD $1,280–$1,580 depending on priority option.
Documents required: certified colour copies of degree/transcripts, CV, employment references on company letterhead with exact duties, pay evidence, organisational chart (if claiming managerial duties).
Tip: Start the skills assessment before you sit your English test – VETASSESS now accepts English results up to 12 months after the assessment date for most visas.
English Language Requirements for Chemists
Competent English is mandatory for the skills assessment and minimum visa eligibility:
– IELTS 6.0 each band (or PTE 50, TOEFL iBT 64, OET B, Cambridge C1).
To maximise points:
– Proficient English (IELTS 7 / PTE 65) = 10 points
– Superior English (IELTS 8 / PTE 79) = 20 points
Many chemists achieve superior English because scientific writing and publication experience helps with the writing module. Passport holders from UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland are exempt from testing.
Points Test and SkillSelect EOI Strategy for Chemists 2025
Current minimum to lodge EOI is 65 points, but chemists typically need 85+ for 189 invitation and 80+ for 190/491 state nomination.
Typical profile that receives invitation within weeks:
Age 25–32 (30 points) + PhD (20 points) + Superior English (20 points) + 8+ years experience (15 points) + Partner skills or Australian study (5–10 points) = 90–100+ points → very fast invitation.
Even a Bachelor degree + 5 years experience + Proficient English + age 33–39 can reach 80–90 points and secure state nomination quickly.
Submit separate EOIs for 189, 190 and 491 – you can accept whichever invitation comes first.
Job Market and Salary Expectations for Chemists in Australia 2025
Demand remains extremely strong, especially in:
– Mining & resources (WA, QLD) – analytical and process chemists
– Pharmaceuticals & biotechnology (VIC, NSW)
– Environmental testing & compliance (nationwide)
– Food & beverage quality control
– Defence and forensic laboratories
Current vacancies on Seek.com.au and LinkedIn (November 2025) show 650+ chemist roles nationally, with 45% in Western Australia and Queensland.
Salary ranges 2025:
– Graduate/Junior Chemist: AUD $75,000–$90,000
– 3–7 years experience: AUD $95,000–$125,000
– Senior/Principal/Lead Chemist: AUD $130,000–$170,000+
– Mining fly-in-fly-out roles often $150,000–$200,000+ with allowances
Average national salary for Chemist November 2025 is approximately AUD $112,000 + superannuation (source: Seek, ABS, Hays Salary Guide 2025).
How to Prepare – Action Plan for Overseas Chemists
1. Get your degree assessed by VETASSESS today (even before English test).
2. Sit IELTS/PTE and aim for at least 7.0 overall (preferably 8.0).
3. Collect employment references that exactly match the ANZSCO duties for Chemist.
4. Create SkillSelect EOI as soon as you have positive skills assessment and English result.
5. Apply for state nomination in WA, QLD, SA, Tasmania or ACT – these states are actively targeting chemists in 2025.
6. Use LinkedIn and Seek aggressively; Australian employers regularly sponsor overseas chemists directly for 186 or Skills in Demand visa.
7. Consider a job offer first – many laboratories will sponsor once they see your VETASSESS outcome letter.
Conclusion
Chemist remains one of the strongest scientific occupations for Australian skilled migration in 2025. The combination of Core Skills Occupation List placement, multiple visa pathways, high salaries and genuine labour shortage makes this one of the most straightforward professions to achieve permanent residency. Start your skills assessment now – most successful applicants receive their visa within 12–18 months of starting the process.
