Jobs and Skills AustraliaIs the work there?
Ten year outlook
Agricultural, medical and science technicians jobs are projected to grow. Jobs and Skills Australia projections put these occupations at 312 workers in May 2025, 328 by May 2030 (up 5.1%) and 347 by May 2035 (up 11.2%).
Jobs and Skills Australia employment projections · May 2025 to May 2035
Occupation mapping by Get Course, shown with ANZSCO codes so it can be checked.
NCVER Student OutcomesHow graduates do
Diploma of Laboratory Technology graduates do worse than is typical at Diploma level. In the 2025 NCVER Student Outcomes survey, 86% were employed or in further study after training. The typical Diploma result is 92%, across 34 qualifications. Median income after training was $57,200, against $63,250 typical. 84.3% were satisfied with the training, against 89% typical. Income here is the survey median about six months after training. It includes part-time work, so it is not the full-time award rate.
86%
employed or in further study after training (2025)
typical 92% across 34 Diplomas
$57,200
median income after training (2025)
typical $63,250 across 26 Diplomas
84.3%
satisfied with the training (2025)
typical 89% across 34 Diplomas
Level benchmarks are medians computed by Get Course across all Diplomas in the same collection, not official NCVER benchmarks.
NCVER Student Outcomes · 2025 survey
NCVER Total VET ActivityWho is training
Enrolments in the Diploma of Laboratory Technology are growing. Across Australia, 960 people enrolled in 2024. In 2025 it was 1,215, up 26.6% in a year. National data for MSL50122 starts in 2023.
NCVER Total VET Activity · 2025 collection
training.gov.au · Australian Qualifications FrameworkWhat does studying it involve?
The register and the national framework set some of this. Providers set the rest.
How long it takes
A Diploma is typically 1 to 2 years of full-time study under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Providers set the exact length and pace.
Delivery
Providers set the delivery mode.
Credit for experience
Recognition of prior learning applies to MSL50122 like any qualification on the national register: an approved provider assesses your evidence against each unit.
training.gov.au national register; Australian Qualifications Framework.
State subsidised training listsWhat does it cost, and who funds it?
State funding for MSL50122 is being verified against official program lists.
Eligibility and student contributions vary by program and provider. The official state listing is the source of truth. In a subsidised place the government pays most of the tuition and you pay a co-contribution set by the program and provider.
Official state subsidised training program lists, verified per state. Full-fee prices will appear here as partner courses are listed.
training.gov.au · unit packagingWhat is in the qualification
The register lists 5 core units for the Diploma of Laboratory Technology, plus 64 elective options. Prerequisites apply to 29 of them, marked below.
- MSL924005Process and interpret data
- MSL924006Use laboratory application software
- MSL934008Maintain instruments and equipment
- MSL934009Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes
- MSL935008Monitor the quality of test results and data (has prerequisites)
View the 64 elective options
- FBPFST4004Perform microbiological procedures in the food industry
- FBPFST5005Examine the biochemical properties of food
- FBPFSY3003Monitor the implementation of food safety and quality programs
- FBPFSY5001Develop a HACCP-based food safety plan
- MSL904003Perform standard calibrations
- MSL905004Perform non-standard calibrations (has prerequisites)
- MSL905005Create or modify calibration procedures (has prerequisites)
- MSL915003Provide information to customers
- MSL915004Schedule laboratory work for a small team
- MSL916011Develop and maintain laboratory documentation
- MSL916012Manage and develop teams
- MSL916013Supervise laboratory operations in work or functional area
- MSL916014Maintain compliance in work or functional area
- MSL916015Manage complex projects
- MSL925005Analyse measurements and estimate uncertainties (has prerequisites)
- MSL925006Analyse data and report results (has prerequisites)
- MSL935005Authorise the issue of test results (has prerequisites)
- MSL935006Assist in the maintenance of reference materials
- MSL954006Relate anatomical and physiological features to laboratory samples
- MSL954007Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan
- MSL973021Conduct field-based acceptance tests for construction materials
- MSL973022Conduct laboratory-based acceptance tests for construction materials
- MSL973023Perform fire pouring techniques
- MSL973027Perform techniques that prevent cross-contamination
- MSL973028Perform microscopic examination
- MSL974016Perform physical and mechanical tests
- MSL974018Conduct geotechnical site investigations
- MSL974022Undertake environmental field-based monitoring
- MSL974026Perform tests to determine the properties of construction materials (has prerequisites)
- MSL974028Classify soils (has prerequisites)
- MSL974032Perform chemical tests and procedures
- MSL974033Perform food tests
- MSL974034Perform biological procedures
- MSL974036Process body fluid specimens using a point of care testing device
- MSL974037Triage and allocate tissue specimens
- MSL974038Use techniques to complete simple tissue specimen transfers
- MSL975032Provide input to production trials
- MSL975038Conduct sensory analysis
- MSL975041Perform fire assay techniques (has prerequisites)
- MSL975042Design and supervise complex environmental field surveys (has prerequisites)
- MSL975043Prepare animal and plant material for display
- MSL975044Perform complex tests to measure engineering properties of materials (has prerequisites)
- MSL975051Supervise geotechnical site investigations (has prerequisites)
- MSL975052Locate, record and collect forensic samples
- MSL975055Classify building sites (has prerequisites)
- MSL975056Perform advanced histological techniques (has prerequisites)
- MSL975057Perform histological tests (has prerequisites)
- MSL975058Perform immunohaematological tests
- MSL975059Supervise sampling, inspections and testing at construction sites (has prerequisites)
- MSL975060Perform tissue or cell culture techniques (has prerequisites)
- MSL975061Perform molecular biology tests and procedures (has prerequisites)
- MSL975062Perform microbiological tests (has prerequisites)
- MSL975063Perform haematological tests (has prerequisites)
- MSL975064Perform chemical pathology tests (has prerequisites)
- MSL975065Apply electrophoretic techniques (has prerequisites)
- MSL975066Apply routine chromatographic techniques (has prerequisites)
- MSL975067Perform complex tests to measure chemical properties of materials (has prerequisites)
- MSL975068Apply complex instrumental techniques (has prerequisites)
- MSL975069Apply routine spectrometric techniques (has prerequisites)
- MSL975070Apply routine electrometric techniques (has prerequisites)
- MSL975071Perform food analyses (has prerequisites)
- MSL975072Use surgical cut-up techniques for non-complex tissue specimens (has prerequisites)
- MSMENV472Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
- RIISTD401Monitor quarry laboratory operations and the quality of results
training.gov.au national register, MSL50122 release 1