ANZSCO 234112 · MLTSSL
Agricultural Scientist
The 189 cut-off fell to 80 points in Jun 2026, from 85.
Path to permanent residence
The steps for the points-tested visas, with this occupation’s own assessing body, lists, cut-offs, fees and processing times.
Skills assessment
Get a positive assessment from VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services). It must still be valid when you’re invited: usually 3 years, or less if the assessment says so.
English
Show at least Competent English (IELTS 6 in each band, or an equivalent PTE, TOEFL, OET or Cambridge score). Proficient adds 10 points and Superior adds 20.
Points
Score at least 65 on the federal points test, counting nomination points for the 190 (+5) or 491 (+15). For the 189, the latest round invited Agricultural Scientist at 80 points (Jun 2026). Work out your points · see when they change.
Expression of Interest
Submit a free EOI in SkillSelect for the visas this occupation allows: 189 (independent), 190 (state nominated), 491 (regional, nominated). It stays active for 2 years, and your points and date of effect decide your place.
State nomination (190 / 491)
3 of 8 list Agricultural Scientist: New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria. Open or inviting now and listing it: New South Wales. Also open, with no published occupation list: Tasmania (check its criteria). Each state ranks applicants its own way. See every state.
Invitation and visa application
When invited, lodge within 60 days. Base fee for the main applicant: AUD 6,135 for the 189, AUD 6,140 for the 190, AUD 6,140 for the 491; family members pay extra. You’ll also need health checks and police certificates.
Decision and PR
Home Affairs decides 90% of applications within 189: 8 months · 190: 16 months · 491: 18 months. The 189 and 190 are permanent visas. The 491 is a 5-year provisional visa; after at least 3 years living and working in regional Australia you can apply for permanent residence (191) if you meet its requirements, including income.
Employer-sponsored route
✓On the Core Skills Occupation List
An Australian employer can sponsor Agricultural Scientist on a Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, Core Skills stream (base fee AUD 4,015). The Employer Nomination Scheme (186) is the usual next step to permanent residence for 482 holders who meet its requirements.
What a Agricultural Scientist does
Official description and tasks from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ANZSCO 2022).
Researches and studies commercial plants, animals, and cultivation techniques to enhance the productivity of farms and agricultural industries.
Qualifications and experience: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).
- Also calledAgricultural Scientist
- SpecialisationsResearch Agronomist
- ANZSCO skill level1 of 5 (1 is highest)
- ANZSCO 2022 code234114 (Home Affairs uses 234112)
- Unit group2341 Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry Scientists
Tasks
ABS lists tasks for the whole unit group, Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry Scientists. Skills assessments and employer nominations compare the duties you’ve done with the ANZSCO description and tasks, so check yours match.
- Collecting and analysing data and samples of produce, feed, soil, water quality and other factors affecting stock and production
- Advising Farmers and Farm Managers on techniques for improving production, and alternative options
- Advising farmers on issues such as livestock and crop disease, control of pests and weeds, soil improvement, animal husbandry and nutrition and feeding programs
- Studying environmental and other factors affecting commercial crop production, pasture growth, animal breeding, fisheries, and forests and forest trees
- Studying the effects of cultivation techniques, soils, insects and diseases on production
- Developing procedures and techniques for solving problems and improving the efficiency of production
- Managing forest and aquatic resources to maximise their long-term commercial, recreational and environmental benefits for the community
- Studying the propagation and culture of forest trees, methods for improving the growth of stock and the effects of thinning on forest yields
- Preparing plans for reafforestation and devising efficient harvesting systems
- Investigating, planning and implementing management procedures to cope with the effects of fires, floods, droughts, soil erosion, insect pests and diseases
189 cut-off history
Lowest score invited in each round, and whether your points would have been enough.
Visa processing priority
Direction 122, in force from 19 September 2026.
Agricultural Scientist may count as a agriculture, aquaculture or fishing occupation: Defined by the role, not a code list: the nominated position must be directly involved in primary production or supporting it (crops, livestock, fishing and seafood, animal health, irrigation, farm supervision, or processing primary products). If it doesn’t, it’s processed in the order below.
- Primary applicants in a construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing or resources occupation, or one related to Australia's law enforcement or defence interests, whether in or outside Australia.
- All other primary applicants who were in Australia when they applied.
- Primary applicants outside Australia when they applied, whose application isn't combined with anyone else's.
- All other applications.
This sets the order Home Affairs works through applications, not who is eligible or who gets invited. Check your processing group →
SkillSelect queue
Expressions of interest waiting for Agricultural Scientist, from the official SkillSelect EOI dashboard.
| Visa | EOIs waiting | Invited |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (189) | 237–345 | 0 |
| Skilled Nominated (190) | 456–528 | fewer than 20 |
| Skilled Work Regional (491), state | 388–478 | fewer than 20 |
| Skilled Work Regional (491), family | 6–114 | 0 |
SkillSelect EOIs as at September 2026. Counts are EOIs, not people; 190 and 491 scores include nomination points. See how many are ahead of your points →
State and territory nomination
Whether Agricultural Scientist is on each state’s current list, and where each program stands.
| State or territory | 190 | 491 | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | – | – | See site |
| New South Waleslisted by unit group | ✓ | ✓ | Inviting |
| Northern Territory | No list | No list | Closed |
| Queensland2025–26 list | ✓ | ✓ | Not open yet |
| South Australia | No list | No list | Not open yet |
| Tasmania | No list | No list | Open |
| Victoria | ✓ | ✓ | Not open yet |
| Western Australia | No list | No list | Not open yet |
Program status is for 2026–27. Being listed doesn’t mean a state is inviting now, and each state has its own criteria. “Nominated so far”: 190 / 491 nominations this program year (Home Affairs).
Shortage rating
Shortage nationally, and the same in every state and territory.
Jobs and Skills Australia’s rating of the labour market. Invitations also depend on planning levels, ceilings and how many EOIs are waiting, so the two don’t always line up.
Every round since 2022
| Round | 189 cut-off | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Jun 2026 | 80 | −5 |
| 13 Nov 2025 | 85 | −5 |
| 21 Aug 2025 | 90 | |
| 7 Nov 2024 | 90 | −5 |
| 5 Sep 2024 | 95 | |
| 13 Jun 2024 | 95 | +10 |
| 18 Dec 2023 | – | |
| 25 May 2023 | – | |
| 8 Dec 2022 | 85 | +20 |
| 6 Oct 2022 | 65 | |
| 22 Aug 2022 | – |
After an invitation
Home Affairs’ current processing times for the points-tested visas.
| Visa | Half decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (189) | 61 days | 8 months |
| Skilled Nominated (190) | 4 months | 16 months |
| Work Regional (491), state nominated | 5 months | 18 months |
| Work Regional (491), family sponsored | 4 months | 7 months |
Home Affairs, decisions to 31 August 2026. Clock starts when you lodge, which you must do within 60 days of an invitation.
Plan with this occupation
Sources and method
- 189 rounds: Home Affairs invitation rounds and previous rounds. 2022–23 rounds reported offshore and onshore separately; we show the lower score.
- State lists: each state’s official site, checked 15 October 2026. Queensland shows its 2025–26 lists until 2026–27 is announced; NSW lists by ANZSCO unit group; Victoria accepts any occupation on the federal lists.
- Shortage: Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO 2022 codes).
- Processing times: Home Affairs processing times guide.
- Skilled lists and assessing authorities: LIN 19/051, checked 14 October 2026.
- Occupation description, titles and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022, used under CC BY 4.0.
- Employer route: Core Skills Occupation List, LIN 24/089 (compilation 2025-11-07). Fees: Home Affairs visa pages, checked 14 October 2026.
- Agents: embed this occupation on your website.