How to become a medical laboratory scientist in Australia
Medical Laboratory Scientists conduct medical laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.
The all-jobs median is $1,852 a week. Jobs in the medical laboratory scientists group are projected to grow 24.8% between May 2025 and May 2035, faster than the 13.3% projected for all jobs. Projections are indicative, not forecasts, and JSA says they don't yet reflect generative AI.
What the job involves
- Preparing tissue sections for microscopic examination
- Examining and analysing samples to study the effects of microbial infections
- Analysing samples of body tissue and fluids to develop techniques to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases
- Advising medical practitioners on the interpretation of tests and methods for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease
- Setting up the steps and rules of laboratory medical testing
- Operating and maintaining laboratory equipment
How to get there
What it usually takes. A bachelor degree or higher. This is the skill level Jobs and Skills Australia gives the medical laboratory scientists group, and some roles differ.
What people in the job have. Highest qualification held: 95% a degree or higher, 2% a diploma, 0% a Certificate III or IV.
Many jobs also need registration, a licence or a specific accredited course. Check the professional body or regulator before you choose.
Courses that can lead here
Estimate your ATAR and this page shows the gap to each course. Your marks stay on your device.
Victoria49 matches
VTAC lowest selection ranks, December 2025 offer round.
Biomedical Science - Scholars program · Monash, Clayton98.10 Biomedical Science · Monash, Clayton91.05 Biomedicine · Melbourne, Parkville90.00 Biomedical Science (Honours) · RMIT, Bundoora83.45 Laboratory Medicine (Honours) · RMIT, Bundoora83.05 Biomedicine (Degree) · VU, Footscray Park80.55 Biomedical Science · Deakin, Melbourne Burwood80.25 Biomedical Science · RMIT, Bundoora70.30Diplomas and other ways in
Diploma in Biomedical Science · ACU, Melbourne52.60Showing 12 of 49 matches. Search every course.
NSW and ACT55 matches
UAC lowest selection ranks, December Round 2, 2025-26 admissions.
Bachelor of Biomedicine and Health · Sydney97.35 Bachelor of Advanced Medical Science · Western Sydney96.65 Bachelor of Science (Medical Science) · Sydney90.00 Bachelor of Medical Science · UNSW90.00 Bachelor of Medical Science (Medical and Health- related Sciences) · UTS88.30 Bachelor of Biomedical Science · Griffith86.40 Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) · UTS85.55 Bachelor of Medical Sciences · Macquarie85.15Diplomas and other ways in
Diploma in Biomedical Science · ACU52.30 Diploma of Health (Medical Laboratory Science) · Southern Cross52.55 Diploma of Health Science/Bachelor of Biomedical Science · Griffith66.20Showing 12 of 55 matches. Search every course.
Queensland56 matches
QTAC course pages, ATAR/Selection Rank profile for semester 1, 2026.
Bachelor of Medical Science · Griffith, Brisbane South (Nathan)99.95 Bachelor of Medical Science (Griffith MD Provisional Entry for School-Leavers) · UniSC, Sunshine Coast99.85 Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) - Bonded Medical Program · CQUniversity, Rockhampton98.35 Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) · CQUniversity, Bundaberg95.95 Bachelor of Medical Science (Medicine Pathway) · UniSQ, Toowoomba95.95 Bachelor of Medical Science (Medicine Pathway) - Bonded Medical Program · UniSQ, Toowoomba95.30 Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Accelerated) · UniSC, Sunshine Coast90.20 Bachelor of Biomedical Science · UQ, St Lucia80.10Diplomas and other ways in
Diploma in Biomedical Science · ACU, Brisbane51.65Showing 12 of 56 matches. Search every course.
Western Australia32 matches
TISC Course Search: lowest ATAR offered for 2026 entry and guaranteed offer ATARs.
Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised) · UWA, Perth92.05 Bachelor of Advanced Biomedical Science (Honours) · Curtin, Perth86.95 Bachelor of Human Sciences and Master of Biomedical Science · UWA, Perth86.10 Bachelor of Science (Paramedical Science) · ECU, Joondalup75.00 Bachelor of Biomedical Science - Albany · UWA, Albany Centre72.90 Bachelor of Biomedical Science · Notre Dame, Fremantle67.55 Bachelor of Science (Laboratory Medicine) · Curtin, Perth63.30 Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences · Curtin, Perth60.85Showing 8 of 32 matches. Search every course.
Matched on course names, 192 across four admissions centres. A lowest selection rank includes adjustment points and moves every year. Check prerequisites and whether the course is accredited for this job.
Graduate outcomes, national
Undergraduates surveyed about four to six months after finishing, in 2025, across all providers. Full-time work is among those available for it. All graduates: 75.4% and $77,000. These are national figures for the study area, not for this course or uni, and a first-year salary says little about later pay. Source: QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025.
Does it fit your interests?
Strongest interest areas for this kind of work: Investigative, Realistic, Conventional.
From O*NET ratings for "Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists", the closest US occupation in JSA's correspondence (a acceptable match). US ratings are a guide to Australian jobs, not a measurement of them.
Careers with similar interests
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Share your storyJob data: © Commonwealth of Australia, Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles, February 2026 and Employment Projections, May 2025 to May 2035 (Victoria University), CC BY 4.0. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO 2013 Version 1.2 to O*NET-SOC 2019 Taxonomy correspondence.
Graduate outcomes: QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025, National Report Tables (Social Research Centre, for the Australian Government).
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Curve ATAR has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.