Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists
Apply to AIMS for evaluation of your overseas degree and laboratory experience against Australian standards. Approval is mandatory before exam registration.
Register for the March or September sitting. The exam is 150 MCQ items taken online. A Results Letter from Stage 1 is required to apply.
Success grants Professional Membership of AIMS, qualifying you for the occupation of Medical Laboratory Scientist (ANZSCO 234611) for skilled migration.
Degree equivalent to AQF Level 7 (Australian Bachelor's) in medical laboratory science or a closely related discipline.
Minimum of 2 years post-graduate clinical laboratory experience. All experience must be documented and verifiable.
You cannot bypass Stage 1. Candidates must hold a valid AIMS Results Letter to be eligible for exam seats.
BS MedTech graduates with 2+ years of post-internship experience typically qualify for Stage 1. Your PRC license supports your application.
Browse our candidate success gallery. Read real stories of RMTs who navigated the AIMS pathway and reached their goals.
Candidates must correctly answer at least 50% of the total questions to qualify for an overall pass.
You must achieve ≥50% in each: Anatomical Pathology, Chemical Pathology, Haematology, Medical Microbiology, and Transfusion Science.
Candidates must pass either Genomic Pathology or Immunopathology at a minimum of 50% score.
Official results are issued within 10 weeks via email. Performance is rated as PASS or FAIL per discipline.
Because failing a single mandatory discipline results in an overall fail, avoid "cramming" only your best subjects. A balanced approach is vital.
150 questions total distributed across seven clinical laboratory disciplines. Asterisked (*) disciplines have individual pass requirements.
Histology, cytology, and tissue diagnosis
Clinical biochemistry and analyte interpretation
Blood morphology, coagulation, and disorders
Bacteriology, virology, mycology, and parasitology
Blood banking and compatibility testing
Molecular diagnostics and genetics
Serology and autoimmune disorders
Taken entirely online from your own computer. A remote proctor supervises via webcam. Requires a quiet private space and stable internet connection.
Single-response MCQ format. Pace yourself at approximately 72 seconds per item. Questions are presented in a single continuous session.
Exams are held every March and September. Closing dates for registration are strict; apply to AIMS early as slots fill quickly.
Results are released within 10 weeks of the exam date via email. Outcomes are rated as PASS or FAIL per specific discipline.
Registration is performed via the form provided in your Stage 1 Results Letter. Submit the form to exam@aims.org.au before the cycle deadline.
Find authoritative answers regarding the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) assessment process, based on official May 2025 guidelines.
It depends on your educational background. If you graduated from an AIMS-accredited university program, you may qualify under Option 1, which bypasses the exam entirely. You would only need to complete the Stage 1 document assessment.
However, for most graduates from non-accredited programs (including most Filipino BS MedTech graduates), Option 2 applies. If you meet the minimum requirements of an acceptable science degree and 2 years of professional experience, you must pass the Stage 2 Professional Examination to be certified as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
Source: AIMS Guidelines for Assessment — MLS/MLT v18.3 (May 2025), pp. 2–4For Option 2 applicants, AIMS requires a minimum of 2 years of full-time postgraduate professional experience in a medical pathology laboratory. Crucially, at least 1 year of this experience must have been completed within the 5-year period immediately prior to your application.
Experience gained in recognized public or private hospital laboratories is generally acceptable, provided the duties align with medical laboratory science standards. Part-time experience is calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Source: AIMS Guidelines for Assessment — MLS/MLT v18.3 (May 2025), p. 5The AIMS Professional Exam is a fully online, remote-proctored examination. You can take it from home using the WebLock secured browser. You are supervised in real-time by a proctor via both your computer webcam and a mobile phone camera.
The exam consists of 150 single-response Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) to be completed within 3 hours. Candidates must also complete a mandatory practice test and a trial examination within two weeks before the official test date.
Source: AIMS MLS Professional Exam Pack v8.0 (May 2024), pp. 4–6Results are typically released via email within 10 weeks of the examination date. You will receive a scaled score and an overall "Pass" or "Fail" outcome.
AIMS does not provide exact marks per discipline or release the completed exam papers. If you fail, the notification will specify which mandatory disciplines were not passed to guide your future review.
Source: AIMS MLS Professional Exam Pack v8.0 (May 2024), p. 4Failing any one of the five mandatory disciplines (Anatomical Pathology, Chemical Pathology, Haematology, Medical Microbiology, or Transfusion Science) results in an automatic failure of the entire exam, regardless of your total score.
Candidates who fail may reapply for the next available sitting (March or September). In some cases, unsuccessful Scientist applicants may be assessed as suitable for the lower occupation of Medical Laboratory Technician (ANZSCO 311213).
Source: AIMS Exam Pack v8.0, p. 3; Guidelines v18.3, p. 6AIMS requires proof of English proficiency. Accepted tests and minimum scores include:
No. Passing the AIMS exam provides you with a Positive Skills Assessment, which is a mandatory requirement for skilled migration visas (ANZSCO 234611). However, the final visa decision rests solely with the Department of Home Affairs.
You must still meet other visa requirements, such as the points test, health requirements, and character checks, to successfully migrate to Australia.
Source: AIMS Guidelines for Assessment v18.3 (May 2025), p. 1Taking the step toward international certification is a significant milestone in any scientist's career. If you are looking for a supportive environment to review the seven clinical disciplines, we invite you to see how we might be able to help. Our study tools are designed to walk alongside you as you prepare for your path ahead.
