What is Australian Institute of Medical Scientists?
The Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) is the peak professional body representing medical scientists and laboratory professionals across Australia. AIMS conducts skills assessments for overseas-trained medical laboratory scientists, technicians, pathology collectors, and respiratory scientists seeking to migrate to Australia under skilled migration visas.
AIMS assessments evaluate whether your academic qualifications, professional training, and work experience are equivalent to Australian standards and whether you meet the competency requirements to practise in Australia's medical laboratory and respiratory science sectors. The assessment confirms your qualifications are aligned with Australian tertiary education standards and your experience demonstrates practical competency.
As an authorised assessing body for the Department of Home Affairs, AIMS assessments are mandatory for most skilled visa subclasses and are widely recognised by employers and visa processing authorities. The typical assessment timeframe is 8–12 weeks from submission of a complete application.
Which visas require an AIMS skills assessment?
AIMS assessments are required for skilled migration visas across multiple visa subclasses for medical laboratory and respiratory science professionals.
A positive AIMS assessment confirms you meet Australian competency standards for your occupation, supporting applications for skilled independent visas (189), state-nominated visas (190, 491), and employer-sponsored temporary visas (482, 186). Your assessment outcome is valid for three years and can be used across multiple visa applications during this period.
How AIMS assessment works
The AIMS assessment process evaluates your qualifications and professional experience against Australian standards through a structured multi-stage review. The assessment typically progresses from application submission through document verification, panel review, and final outcome determination.
- Submit your completed AIMS application form along with all required supporting documentation through the AIMS online assessment portal
- AIMS acknowledges receipt of your application and conducts an initial completeness check on all submitted documents
- Your academic qualifications and transcripts are reviewed for equivalence to Australian tertiary education standards
- Your professional experience and employment history are assessed to verify relevant work history and practical competency
- The AIMS assessment panel conducts a detailed evaluation of your overall qualifications against Australian professional competency standards
- AIMS issues your formal assessment outcome, either positive or with conditions, detailing your assessed scope of practice
- You receive your official assessment letter which can be submitted with your visa application to the Department of Home Affairs
Assessment pathways
AIMS operates a single primary assessment pathway for overseas-qualified medical laboratory and respiratory science professionals. Most applicants proceed through the standard qualification and experience assessment.
Available to medical laboratory scientists, technicians, pathology collectors, and respiratory scientists with a bachelor degree or higher qualification in medical science, laboratory medicine, or a related health discipline. You must have completed formal tertiary study and typically demonstrate at least two years of recent professional experience in your field within the past five years. The assessment reviews your educational credentials and professional practice against Australian competency frameworks.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Completed AIMS application form (available on the AIMS assessment portal)
- Certified copy of your bachelor degree certificate or higher qualification in medical science or laboratory medicine
- Official academic transcript(s) from your degree program showing all subjects completed and grades achieved
- Detailed professional employment reference letters from your most recent employers on official company letterhead, specifically addressing your role, responsibilities, and technical competencies
- Comprehensive employment history including dates of employment, job titles, workplace names, and descriptions of duties performed
- Certificate of registration or licensure to practise in your home country (if applicable and available)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) with full details of education, qualifications, and professional experience
- Evidence of professional development, continuing education, or specialist training completed in your field
- Certified copy of your passport biographical page or national identification document
- English language proficiency documentation if your qualifications were obtained outside an English-speaking institution
- Any relevant professional certifications, quality assurance credits, or competency credentials you hold
- Statutory declaration(s) if clarification is needed regarding employment history or experience gaps
All documents must be certified copies stamped by a notary public, lawyer, or authorised certifier in your home country or Australia. Any documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by certified English translations prepared by a qualified translator.
AIMS assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Medical Laboratory Scientist Assessment | AUD 490 |
| Respiratory Scientist Assessment | AUD 490 |
| Medical Laboratory Technician Assessment | AUD 450 |
| Pathology Collector Assessment | AUD 470 |
| Assessment Review or Appeal | AUD 150 |
| Additional Documentation Review | AUD 75 |
Assessment outcomes
AIMS issues one of three outcomes:
A positive AIMS assessment confirms your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards for your occupation. Your assessment outcome letter is valid for three years and can be used to support skilled independent visa (189), state-nominated visa (190, 491), and employer-sponsored visa (482, 186) applications. The assessment significantly strengthens your skilled migration application and is recognised by the Department of Home Affairs.
If AIMS assesses your qualifications as not equivalent to Australian standards, you receive a detailed outcome letter explaining the specific areas of concern. You may apply for a reassessment or appeal if you believe the decision is incorrect. Many applicants pursue additional professional development, further training, or gain additional work experience before reapplying.
AIMS allows applications for reassessment or appeals within a specified timeframe (typically 12 months). A reassessment fee of AUD 150 applies. You may strengthen your case by providing additional professional development evidence, further work experience, or supplementary qualifications that address the original assessment concerns.
Occupations assessed by AIMS
AIMS is the nominated assessing authority for the following ANZSCO occupations. Click any occupation to see full visa pathway details.
| ANZSCO | Occupation | List |
|---|---|---|
| 311213 | Medical Laboratory Scientist | MLTSSL |
| 311214 | Medical Laboratory Technician | MLTSSL |
| 321212 | Pathology Collector | MLTSSL |
| 321216 | Respiratory Scientist | MLTSSL |