Wondering whether 85 points is competitive for Microbiologist (also known as Clinical Microbiologist, Microbiology Scientist)? Below is where a 85-point score actually sits in the live SkillSelect pool for Microbiologist (ANZSCO 234517) as at August 2026: how many submitted EOIs rank ahead of you, how many are tied, and what that means for each visa pathway.
Quick answer
Microbiologist with 85 points is a very strong position for the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) as at August 2026. In the live SkillSelect pool for Microbiologist, about 30 submitted EOIs rank ahead of you and 34 sit level with your score. SkillSelect invites the highest scores first, which puts you near the top of the pool, a highly competitive position. At this level the wait is about round timing, not competition, so lodge your EOI as soon as your skills assessment is in.
Where 85 Points Puts You for Microbiologist
| Pathway | Your ranking score | Submitted EOIs ranked ahead | Tied at your score | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) | 85 | 30 | 34 | Top 10% |
| Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) | 90 | 44 | 48 | Top 10% |
| Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) | 100 | 20 | 40 | Top 10% |
Source: SkillSelect submitted-EOI points data for Microbiologist (national pool), as at August 2026. Counts are rounded by the Department of Home Affairs; small buckets sit at a suppression floor. Higher scores are invited first, and ties are separated by EOI date.
Reading the Numbers
SkillSelect ranks every Expression of Interest by points and invites from the top down, so your real question is not whether you pass a mark but how many people sit above you. For the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), 85 points is a ranking score of 85. The table above reads that score against the Microbiologist pool position by position.
State nomination changes the maths: a 190 nomination lifts your ranking score to 90 (+5); a 491 nomination lifts your ranking score to 100 (+15). At the higher score, fewer EOIs rank ahead of you, which is why the state-nominated pathways can be faster than the 189 for the same base points. The table above shows where each score sits in the Microbiologist pool.
These figures are the national Microbiologist pool as at August 2026. They move every month as EOIs are submitted, invited or expire, and this page is rebuilt from the live data on every update, so the numbers stay current.
See Your Real, Personalised Position
This page uses the national pool for Microbiologist. For your exact queue position, factoring in your occupation, your state options and the live round history, run your own numbers:
- Check Your Real Chances — where your score sits in the live EOI queue.
- Points Calculator — confirm your score, then see the queue for it.
Microbiologist at Other Points Scores
See how the competition changes at other scores for Microbiologist: 65 points · 70 points · 75 points · 80 points · 85 points · 90 points · 95 points.
Related Pages
- Full Microbiologist pathway guide (visas, fees, assessing body, all-state EOI table)
- All invitation rounds
Get the next EOI update for Microbiologist
We check SkillSelect every day. Subscribers get this occupation's queue movements, round results and rule changes as soon as our pipeline verifies them. Free, unsubscribe anytime.