Skilled Occupation List

Studies the composition, structure and other physical attributes of the earth, locates minerals, petroleum or ground water, and detects, monitors and forecasts seismic, magnetic, electrical, geothermal and oceanographic activity.

Skill Level

1

Specialisations

• Oceanographer
• Seismologist

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Geophysicist is Vocational Education and Training Assess (VETASSESS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• A qualification which is assessed as comparable to the educational level an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree or higher in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation AND
• At least one year of post qualification employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years

study the composition, structure and other physical attributes of the earth, locate and advise on the extraction of minerals, petroleum and ground water, and detect, monitor and forecast seismic, magnetic, electrical, thermal and oceanographic activity.
Geographers are excluded from this unit group. Geographers are included in Unit Group 2724 Social Professionals.

Tasks

• conducting preliminary surveys of mineral, petroleum and natural gas deposits with prospectors, Mining Engineers, Metallurgists, and other mineral scientists and engineers
• preparing and supervising the production of laboratory reports and scientific papers
• conducting studies of the structure, nature and formation of the earth’s crust and the minerals contained in it
• studying and dating fossils and rock strata to develop knowledge of the evolution and biology of life forms, and to assess their commercial applications
• studying the effects of natural events, such as erosion, sedimentation, earthquakes and volcanic activity, on the formation of the earth’s surface and sea beds
• carrying out exploration to determine the resources present by sampling, examining and analysing geological specimens, rock cores, cuttings and samples using optical, chemical, electronic and mechanical techniques
• conducting surveys of variations in the earth’s gravitational and magnetic fields to determine its physical features
• investigating the propagation of seismic waves to determine the structure and stability of the earth’s mantle and crust
• studying the causes of earthquakes and other stress states of the earth’s crust
• performing laboratory and field studies, and aerial, ground and drill hole surveys

Skill Level

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).

Occupations in this Group

• 234411 Geologist
• 234412 Geophysicist
• 234413 Hydrogeologist