Biotechnologist 234514: applied biological development
Biotechnologist applies knowledge of organisms, cells and biological molecules to develop or improve materials, diagnostics, products and processes. The field can include medical, industrial, agricultural, environmental and computational biotechnology when the work remains anchored in biological development.
The occupation should not be selected only because the employer operates in biotechnology. Routine quality assurance, diagnostic testing, production monitoring or product sales can sit outside 234514, as can work whose main focus is biochemical research, microbiology or statistical analysis.
What the occupation covers
- planning and conducting biotechnology research or development projects;
- using cells, microorganisms, enzymes or genetic methods to improve products or processes;
- developing and validating biological diagnostics or engineered materials;
- analysing biological data, including through bioinformatics where relevant; and
- documenting experiments, research outcomes, patents or technical findings.
Qualification content and applied work both matter
VETASSESS classifies Biotechnologist as Group A. Its guide requires a bachelor-level or higher qualification in a highly relevant field and relevant post-qualification employment. Biotechnology, bioinformatics or computational biology, gene technologies, molecular genetics, cell and developmental biology and environmental biotechnology are identified fields.
Other science degrees are assessed case by case according to their biotechnology subjects and the supporting employment. For a computational role, the evidence should connect the analysis to biological or genetic research and development rather than describing general software engineering or data reporting.
The skilled and sponsored lists are not identical
The MLTSSL result supports the displayed points-tested skilled pathways, and the regional and training sources support subclasses 494 and 407. This page does not show current CSOL access for the 482 or 186 employer-sponsored pathways.
Applicants should not infer a sponsored pathway from the occupation's MLTSSL status. They must also distinguish genuine biotechnology development from routine testing, sales or quality-assurance work before relying on the occupation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing 234514 because of the employer's industry rather than the applicant's research and development duties.
- Treating routine quality-control, diagnostic-testing or product-sales work as biotechnology development.
- Using a general science or computing degree without showing sufficient biotechnology study.
- Assuming MLTSSL membership also creates current 482 or 186 CSOL access.