Technicians and Trades Workers
Life Science Technician
Our read
Opportunity
LimitedNot in shortage anywhere this year — employers are generally finding the people they need.
Getting in
Steady buildThe standard route is a diploma or a Certificate III/IV — often an apprenticeship, where you're paid to learn on the job over a few years.
Opportunity and Getting-in are our analysis of the official data — not a Jobs and Skills Australia rating. How we work these out.
Getting in
Training level 2. Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma.
Will AI replace it?
Hands-on, in-person work that's hard to automate. This is exactly the kind of non-routine, physical, face-to-face work that AI and automation struggle with most — a safer bet for a long career.
Our editorial read, based on the kind of work (its occupation group) — not a Jobs and Skills Australia rating, and not a prediction.
Five-year national trend
Supply is keeping up. Employers generally fill these roles without much trouble — it hasn't been in shortage in recent years.
● in shortage · ○ no shortage
Where it's in shortage (2025)
Open a state or territory for the local picture — its five-year trend, the regional vs metro read, and how it compares with the national rating.
Labour-market signals
For this occupation's unit group (3114).
Fills readily. Employers fill these roles more easily than the typical occupation, so it's a weaker shortage signal.
Below average. Earns less per hour than the typical Australian occupation.Our read: this is JSA's standardised, relative earnings measure for the occupation's broader group, not a take-home figure — treat it as a signal, not the full picture.
Shown relative to all occupations — exact dollar figures are coming in a future update.
Skilled migration list
This occupation is not on the current Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) as at 7 November 2025.
Being on the list says nothing about anyone's visa eligibility — it is one condition among many. This is general information, not migration advice. For advice about your circumstances, see the Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists or a registered migration agent (OMARA register).
Related occupations
Know the moment new numbers land
You're already seeing the newest numbers: the 2025 Occupation Shortage List is the government's current release — checked against the source in July 2026 — and apprentice pay rates include the 1 July 2026 increase. When the next list lands, we'll send one note: what moved, what it means. No newsletter, no selling your address.
ANZSCO 311413 · Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Occupation Shortage List 2025.