On 6 December, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the first significant update to Australia’s occupation classification in 20 years—the OSCA framework.
This new framework replaces ANZSCO and is designed to better reflect the current realities of the labour market. It aims to support more informed and effective decision-making for governments, industries and businesses.
Why the OSCA matters:
The ABS highlighted that an occupation classification that accurately reflects the current realities of the labour market helps governments, industries and businesses make efficient and informed decisions. A key benefit of the new OSCA classification is its incorporation of new and emerging occupations.
The ABS utilises OSCA in key products, including the Census of Population and Housing and the Labour Force Survey. Additionally, the current Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is used in products that underpin migration settings, such as the Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL). It is also used for training and development initiatives, including the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List (AAPL) and the training packages found on training.gov.au.
SaCSA’s Role in Contributing to the OSCA
The ABS consulted with a wide range stakeholders to produce the new framework. The formal consultation period for the review spanned over 200 days, involved over 2,000 groups and received 800 submissions from interested parties across Commonwealth and State Government agencies, as well as private industry.
We are proud that SaCSA played a key role in this milestone. Our team conducted thorough analyses, gathered industry feedback and advocated for updates pertinent to our sectors. Examples of occupations and other outcomes that are now included in the OSCA as a result of SaCSA’s Round 4 submission include:
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- Arts: Animator or Visual Effects Artist, Production Manager (Screen or Live Performance), and Screen or Live Performance Designer
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- Personal Services: Barber, and Dermal Therapist has had some task changes as recommended
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- Tourism: Travel Agency Manager has been moved out of Retail Managers as recommended
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- Hospitality: Cafe or Restaurant Supervisor (new name for Food and Beverage supervisor), Gaming Supervisor, Front Office Supervisor (Accommodation) (new name for Guest Services Supervisor), Housekeeping Supervisor, and Sommelier
Our round 4 submission can be found here. Thank you to our incredible stakeholders who provided invaluable input and insights in this process.
What’s Next?
Starting in September 2026, OSCA will be used in official labour market stats and Census data. The ABS also notes there is more to do in this area and has outlined a maintenance strategy for regular updates of OSCA, including developing a plan for ongoing feedback from stakeholders. SaCSA will continue engaging with ABS to ensure our industries’ needs are met and will keep you informed throughout the process.
Author: Shaer Fattah, Insights and Analytics Manager at SaCSA, leverages over a decade of experience in labour market analytics to develop and implement robust research methods that inform workforce policies.