Consultation draft: Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)

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 About OSCA or contact us at occupation@abs.gov.au