Closes 26 October 2022
Closes 18 November 2022
Closes 16 December 2022
Closed 28 September 2022
Closed 14 September 2022
Closed 26 July 2022
Closed 12 April 2022
Closed 29 October 2021
Here are some of the issues we have consulted on and their outcomes. See all outcomes
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) commenced public consultation on June 29 2022 on two topics related to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).
Public consultation ran for four weeks, seeking feedback on:
This public consultation generated 105 submissions from a wide range of stakeholder groups and sectors of the user community.
Skills in ANZSCO
The ABS published a ‘Skills Options Paper’ in late June in response to feedback received from the skills problem statement. The paper outlined six proposals that address the key areas of concern identified by users and stakeholders. The ABS received 63 submissions through public consultation.
Feedback in the submissions indicated support for most of the proposals with a very strong preference for proposals one and two. These proposals were flagged as the highest priority and, if implemented, would ensure ANZSCO is better aligned with the current labour market.
The ABS also asked for suggestions on how to include micro-credentials in ANZSCO. A variety of suggestions were received and are now being considered. As responses were varied, further discussions with users and stakeholders are required to determine how best to reflect micro-credentials in the classification.
Maintaining ANZSCO
The ABS received 42 submissions from users on the ANZSCO Maintenance Strategy. There was unanimous agreement that the classification no longer accurately reflects the labour market and that major updates are urgently required.
We specifically sought feedback on the timing, frequency and process for reviewing areas of the classification. While our proposed solution of a targeted, annual maintenance model received widespread support, several concerns were raised. These include:
We also asked users whether there would be any negative impacts that could arise from the implementation of the model, especially around the timing of updates. No issues were identified, and there was strong support for the timing of the releases. There were additional comments around the importance of aligning implementation around broader government measures to address skills shortages.
We also received a number of considerable change requests for specific areas of the classification, ranging from paramedics to professional organisers. These will be addressed separately as part of the comprehensive review and update by December 2024 in time for the 2026 Census.
Skills in ANZSCO
The ABS is currently reviewing these submissions and working closely with stakeholders to develop a Skills Position Paper, for release in November 2022. This paper will outline the position of the ABS and the changes that will be made to better reflect skills in ANZSCO.
A proposed intended timeline for implementation will also be included.
Maintaining ANZSCO
Based on the feedback provided through this consultation process, the ABS has reviewed elements of the ANZSCO Maintenance Strategy. Several adjustments have been made, particularly with the prioritisation framework. These will be published in a revised version of the ANZSCO Maintenance Strategy in November 2022.
Other concerns raised will require further exploration, for example, the need for updates outside the outlined consultation periods. These will be considered further across the next two years, ahead of finalisation of the strategy in early 2025.
If you have an interest in changes to ANZSCO and would like to subscribe to receive communication regarding future updates please provide contact details via anzsco.maintenance@abs.gov.au
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) commenced public consultation on March 1 2022 on three topics related to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) to inform the next and future updates of the classification.
Public consultation ran for 6 weeks, seeking feedback on:
This public consultation generated 137 submissions from a wide range of stakeholder groups and sectors of the user community.
2022 targeted update
Continuing the review work that commenced in 2021, the ABS sought feedback on a proposed list of 24 construction-related trades occupations to be a focus for 2022.
The list was developed in consultation with the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE), based on the following criteria:
Also included were a small number of occupations that were engineering-related rather than construction, but which also satisfied the above criteria.
The ABS received nine submissions from users on these 24 construction-related trades occupations. A common theme across feedback indicated that civil (infrastructure) construction occupations described in ANZSCO no longer accurately reflect the modern workforce and in some instances lack visibility within the classification. Changes to skill in the modern labour market has meant that some of these occupations described in ANZSCO appear to lack sufficient detail, and no longer reflect the range of skills and competencies required to undertake these occupations.
However, feedback reflected broad support for the current definition of residential and commercial occupations in ANZSCO, with some suggested additional occupation categories and minor definitional changes to reflect contemporary practice.
Skills
The ABS recognises that there is demand for a review of how skills are reflected in the classification. An initial set of key issues were defined with our partners and a skills problem statement drafted for consideration by users.
The ABS received thirteen submissions from users supportive of work to improve how skills are reflected in the classification. These submissions provided feedback on the five key issues that were highlighted in the skills problem statement and provided some further suggestions based on other international frameworks for ABS to consider.
Other areas of ANZSCO
The ABS received a further 115 submissions identifying areas of the classification users would like updated to reflect the occupations of a contemporary Australian workforce. Feedback was received from a wide range of industries including health and community services, professional services, manufacturing, technology, and the arts. Feedback will be assessed to assist with planning future updates.
2022 targeted update
Based on user feedback the following 24 construction-related trades occupations are within scope for the 2022 targeted update. The ABS is now in the process of assessing the submissions on these to develop a set of proposed changes for further consultation in September 2022.
322211 Sheetmetal Trades Worker 332211 Painting Trades Worker
322311 Metal Fabricator 333111 Glazier
322313 Welder (First Class) 333211 Fibrous Plasterer
323211 Fitter (General) 333212 Solid Plasterer
323212 Fitter and Turner 333311 Roof Tiler
323313 Locksmith 333411 Wall and Floor Tiler
331111 Bricklayer 334111 Plumber (General)
331112 Stonemason 334112 Airconditioning & Mechanical Services Plumber
331211 Carpenter and Joiner 334113 Drainer/Drainlayer
331212 Carpenter 334114 Gasfitter
331213 Joiner 334115 Roof Plumber
332111 Floor Finisher 394111 Cabinetmaker
The remaining Emerging Occupations identified by the National Skills Commission (NSC) that were unable to be included in the ANZSCO 2021, Australian Update will be reviewed as part of the 2022 targeted update. These Emerging Occupations comprise of new, frequently advertised jobs which are substantially different to occupations already defined in the ANZSCO. The following Emerging Occupations are within scope for the 2022 targeted update:
Data Analyst Fundraiser Hazardous Materials Labourer
Data Architect Risk Analyst Patient Liaison
Data Engineer Logistics Analyst
Data Scientist Regulatory Affairs Specialist
The ABS will also assess these occupations and develop a set of proposed classification changes for further consultation in September 2022.
The ANZSCO 2022, Australian Update will be released on the ABS website in November 2022, along with a complete list of classification changes.
Skills
Issues identified by users with the way in which skills are currently reflected in ANZSCO will inform a paper for public consultation in late June 2022. This will outline the position the ABS has reached with stakeholders regarding how skills should be reflected in the future. Details will be provided on how any changes would be applied, and feedback will be sought on whether the position the ABS has reached has any unintended impacts for the broader user community.
The agreed position on how skills should be reflected in ANZSCO will inform the comprehensive update of ANZSCO and its ongoing maintenance. Agreed recommendations will be implemented over time.
Other areas of ANZSCO
The ABS is committed to continuing the work with our stakeholders to deliver a targeted update of the occupations within scope for 2022 as described above.
Additionally, the Australian government recently announced $23.7million of new funding over 4 years for the ABS to undertake a comprehensive update of ANZSCO (for delivery by December 2024) and commence an ongoing maintenance program in 2025. This measure will enable the ABS to commence review of the remaining areas of the classification yet to be updated from July 2022. This will be the first major update to the classification since 2006. It will include some structural and classification-wide changes, in time for use by the Census 2026 program.
A prioritisation framework will be used to assess submissions against a range of factors to determine the relative priority for the schedule of future review work. Submissions received by the ABS to date, including from this consultation process, will be taken into account.
The ABS is working on a delivery plan for this extensive program of work and will release further information on the schedule of review work and when stakeholder input will be sought.
If you have an interest in changes to ANZSCO and would like to subscribe to receive communication regarding future updates please provide contact details via anzsco.maintenance@abs.gov.au
In October 2021, the ABS consulted with users of international trade statistics on priorities for enhancing the quality and breadth of data on international services statistics, and on changes to content and timing of the monthly international trade publication.’Enhancing the quality of Australia’s international trade statistics’, outlined the planned and proposed changes to the international merchandise trade publication and the planned and proposed enhancements to services statistics.
10 submissions were received, these came from across federal government, state government and industry. A summary of the feedback can be seen below.
Monthly merchandise trade publication options
Respondents were asked to comment on two publication options. See consultation papers for more information on the options.
Option 2 was the preferred publication, with over 80% of respondents choosing this preference. The main reason cited for option 2 as the preference was the inclusion of seasonally adjusted data.
Services enhancement projects
Respondents were asked to prioritise the projects (1 through to 4) which were aimed at enhancing the quality and breadth of international trade in services statistics. Those projects were:
More frequent detailed services statistics were rated as the highest priority. Respondents also noted a strong interest in more detailed multi-dimensional cross classified data. The second highest priority was statistics on characteristics of service traders, closely followed by monthly indicator statistics.
Additional feedback
In addition, while respondents recognised the need to change and create opportunities for enhancing the international trade in services statistics, they acknowledged that with the imminent reopening of international borders, access to the full suite of monthly international trade data was critical in the short term for informing policy and insights around the COVID-19 recovery.
Given the additional feedback on changes to the monthly trade publication, The ABS has decided, that in the short term, we will continue to produce the International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia publication in its current form, with no changes to timing or content. The ABS will look to revisit discussions with users on the original options proposed as part of this consultation through 2022. The feedback received on the publication options and services enhancement projects will be used to help inform these discussions.
Of the services enhancements, the immediate focus will be to enhance the quarterly Survey of International Trade in Services, with a particular focus on moving the survey collection timing in line with the reference period. The priority and timing of other services enhancement projects (as outlined in the paper), is still being discussed, noting further enhancements may not be possible in the short term while the extended set of international trade data continue to be produced. More information on the service enhancement projects will be made available in 2022.