Australia Moves From ANZSCO To OSCA

November 7, 2024

From ANZSCO to OSCA- A New Occupations Classification for Australia

The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations [ANZSCO] has been jointly managed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Stats NZ Tauranga Aotearoa (Stats NZ) since it was first published in 2006.

The difference between Australia’s and New Zealand’s labour markets is greater than when a joint classification began in 2006. Where this is most visible is when ANZSCO was first published in 2006, all ANZSCO occupations had a common skill level between Australia and New Zealand. Now, 56 of the current 1,076 occupations in ANZSCO have a different skill level in Australia and New Zealand.

Stats NZ has been unable to participate in the targeted 2021 and 2022 Australian updates, and the comprehensive review of the classification undertaken by the ABS over the past four years. As a result, the updated classification to be released on 6 December 2024 will reflect the contemporary Australian labour market and not the New Zealand labour market.

The classification will have a new name. The name of the (Australian managed) classification will be Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA).

All New Zealand specific occupations will no longer have visibility as Australia does not have jurisdiction. There are seven New Zealand specific occupations in ANZSCO 2022.

All references to New Zealand will be removed from:

Occupation names
Lead statements
Alternative titles and specialisations

Stats NZ and the ABS agree that while maintaining comparability, each country will introduce their own tailored occupational statistical classifications.

The Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) represents a crucial evolution in how Australia approaches workforce planning, recruitment, and skill development. By moving away from ANZSCO and adopting a tailored classification system, OSCA will better reflect the realities of the modern Australian labour market.

The ANZSCO will be replaced by the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA), version 1.0, which will be released on December 6. However, this does not affect the Skills assessment practices at this time as the assessment bodies in Australia will continue to operate in line with the current legislation that uses ANZSCO criteria. The assessment bodies, including the largest body-VETASSESS- continue to assess under ANZSCO, notification to replace with ANZSCO with OSCA will be made available before the change is made effective. No timeframe has been specified regarding the assessment bodies to adopt the OSCA criteria at this time.

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