Consultation draft: Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)

Feedback updated 9 Oct 2026

We asked

Consultation on the draft version of the 2027 Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) was undertaken from17 August to 18 September 2026. The consultation sought feedback on the draft version of the classification that included proposed updates to occupations that were identified in previous consultation periods.

The 2027 Update aims to ensure that the classification stays up to date and continues to reflect the modern labour market.

You said

The ABS received 323 submissions from all levels of government, businesses, Jobs & Skills Councils, industry bodies/associations, unions, academics and individuals. In summary, the submissions received included:

Support for proposed changes
Amendments to proposed changes
Requests for additional emerging occupations to be added to the classification in the 2027 update
Requests to update existing occupations that were not identified in previous rounds

We did

The ABS is finalising the updates for the OSCA scheduled to be released in March 2027.

The ABS thanks those who have taken the time to provide feedback during this round of consultation and recognises stakeholders who have continued to engage with the ABS throughout every consultation process.

Any questions?

Please contact us at occupation@abs.gov.au with any questions on this consultation or for further information.

Overview

The ABS is updating the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) to ensure the classification reflects a modern Australian labour market and stakeholder expectations.

The consultation period for the draft version of 2027 OSCA is open from 17 August to 18 September 2026

This will be the final opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft version of the classification before the updated version is officially released in March 2027.

We are seeking feedback on the Consultation draft: Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) which includes updates that resulted from the two previous rounds of consultation held in 2025 and earlier this year.

A list of high-level changes made within the draft classification can be found on the front page of the draft classification.

The scope of changes to occupations within this draft include:

new occupations not already separately listed in OSCA
descriptive elements of occupations and unit groups, including titles, specialisations, lead statements, main tasks, licensing and registration requirements, and inclusion or exclusion statements
skill level changes.

For any updates that have changed scope of an occupation, we have retired the existing occupation code and assigned a new code.

How to participate

We encourage you to explore the draft classification.

The feedback guide (linked below under the Related section) outlines the steps to prepare your feedback and complete the survey.

This round of consultation will remain open until 18 September 2026 (11:59pm).

Supporting documentation & attachments

Following survey completion, a feedback receipt will be sent to your nominated email account. Provision of any additional attachments to support your feedback can be emailed with the feedback receipt number to occupation@abs.gov.au. Please note there is a 5MB file limit.

More information

For more information visit A bout OSCA or contact us at occupation@abs.gov.au

What happens next

This round of consultation has now closed. Thank you to those that have provided feedback. You will not receive individual feedback on the content you have provided. However, following the conclusion of this final consultation round, participants will be provided a summary of how stakeholder input has influenced changes to the classification.

Audiences

General Public

Interests

Industry
Labour Market