Consultation draft: Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)
Latest release
This publication shows changes proposed for the occupation classification
Reference period
August 2026
Released
17/08/2026
First release
Release date and time
17/08/2026 11:30am AEST
Consultation is now open and will continue through to 18 September 2026. After that time this draft publication, including related content, will be removed from the ABS website.
Access to provide feedback and a guide to providing feedback on the draft classification can be found on the ABS Consultation Hub.
OSCA 2027 – the future standard classification
The Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) 2024 is Australia’s current standard classification of occupations until the release of OSCA 2027.
The ABS has worked with stakeholders across government, industry, education and training to ensure OSCA continues to reflect the structure and language of the modern Australian workforce.
This consultation draft identifies the changes proposed to be made for OSCA 2027.
You can contribute to the development of OSCA 2027 and help us to remove gaps or replace outdated terms, among many possible improvements. Timely input will help shape a more accurate, relevant classification when it is released in March 2027.
Scope of the proposed update
This update to OSCA has focused on OSCA's 6-digit occupation level.
The update includes:
- separately identifying new and emerging occupations
- retiring occupations that no longer meet the minimum threshold for statistical balance
- modifying skill levels
- modifying elements of occupations (titles, specialisations, lead statements, main tasks, licensing and registration requirements, and inclusion and exclusion statements).
Categories proposed to be added
The following occupations (6-digit categories) and unit groups (4-digit categories) are proposed to be added to OSCA 2027.
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| 112134 | E-Commerce Manager |
| 121133 | Non-executive Board Member |
| 141336 | Allied Health Services Manager |
| 141337 | Disability Services Manager |
| 149934 | Program or Project Manager (General) |
| 162135 | Pharmacy Retail Manager |
| 221232 | Fundraising Manager |
| 222333 | Occupational Hygienist |
| 223936 | Epidemiologist |
| 231234 | Script Writer |
| 231534 | Event Producer |
| 242134 | Service Designer |
| 243535 | Reliability Engineer |
| 263533 | Cardiac Sonographer |
| 272235 | Site Reliability Engineer |
| 273334 | Artificial Intelligence Engineer |
| 281241 | Mediator |
| 2999 | Other Miscellaneous Professionals |
| 321133 | Pastry Chef |
| 372135 | Formwork Carpenter |
| 391235 | Audiovisual Technician |
| 461133 | Beautician |
| 461135 | Cosmetic Tattooist |
| 461942 | Health and Wellness Coach |
| 461943 | Life Coach |
| 571133 | Transport Allocator |
| 599943 | Event Coordinator |
| 619936 | E-Commerce Coordinator |
| 619937 | E-Commerce Specialist |
| 821435 | Security Door and Screen Installer |
| 899942 | Rope Access Technician |
Other proposed changes
In addition to adding categories, other changes are proposed to several existing categories (occupation, unit groups, minor groups and sub-major groups) in OSCA. The following table identifies the categories concerned and the type of change proposed.
| Code | Title | Principal Title Change | Description Change(a) | Tasks Change | Skill Level Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 111231 | Finance Manager | Y | |||
| 111331 | Human Resources Manager | Y | |||
| 113232 | ICT Project Manager | Y | |||
| 12 | Chief Executives, General Managers and Legislators | Y | |||
| 1211 | Chief Executives and Non-executive Board Members | Y | Y | ||
| 121132 | Chief Executive or Managing Director | Y | |||
| 121332 | Member of Parliament | Y | |||
| 141131 | Assistant School Principal | Y | |||
| 141399 | Health and Welfare Service Managers nec | Y | |||
| 149132 | Library Services Manager | Y | |||
| 1499 | Other Specialist Managers | Y | |||
| 1529 | Other Livestock Farmers | Y | |||
| 16 | Hospitality and Retail Managers | Y | |||
| 161 | Hospitality, Tourism and Venue Managers | Y | |||
| 1616 | Senior Chefs | Y | Y | ||
| 161632 | Senior Chef | Y | Y | ||
| 162134 | Retail Manager (General) | Y | |||
| 1722 | Event Managers | Y | |||
| 172232 | Event Manager | Y | Y | ||
| 211132 | Corporate Treasurer | Y | |||
| 211134 | Management Accountant | Y | Y | ||
| 211232 | Internal Auditor | Y | |||
| 212232 | Stockbroker | Y | |||
| 2212 | Communications and Fundraising Professionals | Y | Y | ||
| 221331 | Electorate Officer | Y | Y | ||
| 2223 | Work Health and Safety Specialists | Y | |||
| 222334 | Work Health and Safety Adviser | Y | |||
| 222431 | Training and Development Professional | Y | |||
| 223135 | Statistician | Y | |||
| 2232 | Data Professionals | Y | |||
| 223235 | Data Scientist | Y | Y | ||
| 2234 | Management and Organisation Analysts | Y | |||
| 223434 | Supply Chain Analyst | Y | Y | ||
| 223435 | Business Analyst (General) | Y | Y | Y | |
| 223436 | Management Consultant | Y | Y | ||
| 2239 | Other Information and Organisation Professionals | Y | |||
| 223931 | Company Secretary | Y | |||
| 223933 | Health Information Manager | Y | Y | ||
| 223935 | Records or Information Manager | Y | Y | ||
| 2312 | Literary Professionals | Y | |||
| 231233 | Author | Y | Y | ||
| 2313 | Journalists and Other Writers | Y | |||
| 231332 | Journalist | Y | Y | ||
| 231432 | Audio or Live Performance Director | Y | Y | ||
| 231435 | Production Manager (Audio, Screen or Live Performance) | Y | Y | Y | |
| 231437 | Screen or Live Performance Designer | Y | Y | ||
| 2315 | Media Producers | Y | |||
| 231733 | Sculptor | Y | |||
| 231932 | Media Presenter | Y | Y | ||
| 232335 | Heritage Consultant | Y | |||
| 241232 | Engineering Surveyor | Y | Y | ||
| 241234 | Land Surveyor | Y | |||
| 2421 | Digital and Service Designers | Y | Y | ||
| 242132 | UI / UX Designer | Y | |||
| 2423 | Graphic and Visual Content Designers | Y | |||
| 243 | Engineering Professionals | Y | |||
| 243231 | Civil Engineer | Y | |||
| 243235 | Transport Engineer | Y | |||
| 243236 | Water Engineer | Y | |||
| 243237 | Rail Engineer | Y | |||
| 243332 | Rail Signalling Engineer | Y | |||
| 243534 | Mechanical Engineer | Y | Y | ||
| 244135 | Forester | Y | |||
| 244332 | Conservation Officer | Y | Y | ||
| 244333 | Ecologist | Y | |||
| 244636 | Zoologist | Y | |||
| 252131 | University Lecturer | Y | |||
| 261134 | Psychotherapist | Y | |||
| 261331 | Social Worker | Y | Y | ||
| 261934 | Behaviour Support Practitioner | Y | Y | ||
| 261999 | Allied Health Counselling, Psychology, Social Work and Creative Therapy Professionals nec | Y | |||
| 262531 | Podiatrist | Y | Y | ||
| 2631 | Medical Radiation Practitioners | Y | |||
| 263131 | Nuclear Medicine Technologist | Y | |||
| 263232 | Nutritionist | Y | Y | ||
| 2635 | Sonographers | Y | |||
| 263532 | Sonographer (General) | Y | Y | Y | |
| 263932 | Cardiac Physiologist | Y | Y | ||
| 264131 | Anaesthetist | Y | |||
| 264231 | General Practitioner | Y | Y | ||
| 264431 | Psychiatrist | Y | Y | ||
| 264531 | Resident Medical Officer | Y | Y | ||
| 2649 | Other Medical Practitioners | Y | |||
| 264931 | Dermatologist | Y | Y | ||
| 264933 | Obstetrician and Gynaecologist | Y | |||
| 264936 | Radiation Oncologist | Y | |||
| 265131 | Midwife | Y | Y | ||
| 265331 | Nursing / Midwifery Unit Manager | Y | |||
| 265434 | Registered Nurse (Mental Health) | Y | |||
| 2694 | Paramedic Professionals | Y | |||
| 269431 | Critical Care Paramedic | Y | |||
| 269432 | Paramedic | Y | Y | ||
| 271133 | Cyber Security Analyst | Y | Y | ||
| 271231 | Database Administrator | Y | |||
| 271232 | Systems Administrator | Y | |||
| 273131 | Digital Game Developer | Y | |||
| 273132 | Web Developer | Y | |||
| 273235 | ICT Business Analyst | Y | |||
| 273332 | DevOps Engineer | Y | |||
| 273335 | Software Engineer | Y | |||
| 2812 | Judicial and Other Legal Professionals | Y | |||
| 281231 | Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner | Y | Y | ||
| 281299 | Judicial and Other Legal Professionals nec | Y | |||
| 299931 | Marine Pilot | Y | |||
| 311131 | Agricultural and Agritech Technician | Y | |||
| 311136 | Irrigation Designer | Y | |||
| 311533 | Geospatial Technician | Y | Y | ||
| 311536 | School Laboratory Technician | Y | |||
| 312131 | Architectural Technician | Y | |||
| 312134 | Landscape Designer | Y | |||
| 312432 | Construction Site Supervisor | Y | |||
| 313435 | Ship's Master | Y | |||
| 313935 | Metallurgical or Materials Technician | Y | Y | ||
| 313937 | Other Draftsperson | Y | |||
| 32 | Chefs and Food Trades Workers | Y | |||
| 321 | Chefs and Pastry Chefs | Y | Y | ||
| 3211 | Chefs and Pastry Chefs | Y | Y | ||
| 321132 | Chef | Y | Y | ||
| 3223 | Cooks | Y | |||
| 322331 | Cook | Y | |||
| 322432 | Pastrycook | Y | Y | ||
| 332337 | Toolmaker | Y | |||
| 3411 | Animal Trainers and Zookeepers | Y | |||
| 3432 | Senior Livestock Farm Workers | Y | |||
| 343237 | Apiarist | Y | |||
| 363932 | Fire Protection Plumber | Y | |||
| 372134 | Carpenter (General) | Y | Y | Y | |
| 381232 | Electrical Fitter | Y | |||
| 381233 | Industrial Electrician | Y | |||
| 3822 | Electronics Trades Workers | Y | |||
| 382235 | Electronic Equipment Trades Worker | Y | |||
| 391131 | Gallery or Museum Technician | Y | |||
| 391231 | Audio Engineer | Y | Y | ||
| 391233 | Camera Operator (Screen, Video or Events) | Y | Y | Y | |
| 391234 | Lighting Technician | Y | Y | ||
| 391299 | Performing Arts Technicians nec | Y | |||
| 391531 | Signwriter | Y | |||
| 391933 | Musical Instrument Maker or Repairer | Y | Y | ||
| 392 | Barbers and Hairdressers | Y | |||
| 3921 | Barbers and Hairdressers | Y | |||
| 399331 | Pest Control Technician | Y | |||
| 399931 | Boat Builder and Repairer | Y | |||
| 399933 | Fire Protection Equipment Technician | Y | |||
| 399936 | Plastics Technician | Y | |||
| 4111 | Child Protection and Family Violence Practitioners | Y | |||
| 411132 | Family and Sexual Violence Practitioner | Y | Y | Y | |
| 4112 | Community Development and Support Workers | Y | |||
| 411233 | Community Support Worker | Y | Y | Y | |
| 4116 | Welfare Support Workers | Y | |||
| 411632 | Family Support Worker | Y | |||
| 411636 | Welfare Worker | Y | Y | ||
| 4117 | Youth Support Workers | Y | |||
| 411732 | Youth Justice Worker | Y | |||
| 411733 | Youth Worker | Y | |||
| 411734 | Residential Youth Worker | Y | |||
| 421132 | Aged Care Team Leader | Y | |||
| 4221 | Disability Services and Residential Care Officers | Y | |||
| 422131 | Disability Services Officer | Y | Y | ||
| 422132 | Residential Care Officer | Y | Y | ||
| 431132 | Early Childhood Educator | Y | |||
| 432 | Education Assistants | Y | |||
| 4322 | Teaching Assistants | Y | |||
| 432231 | Teaching Assistant | Y | |||
| 432932 | Boarding Supervisor | Y | |||
| 441333 | Mental Health Worker | Y | Y | Y | |
| 441933 | Audiometrist | Y | |||
| 4426 | Pathology Collectors | Y | Y | ||
| 442631 | Pathology Collector | Y | Y | Y | |
| 452241 | Security Screening Officer | Y | Y | ||
| 4611 | Beauty Practitioners | Y | Y | Y | |
| 461134 | Beauty Therapist | Y | Y | ||
| 461136 | Dermal Therapist | Y | Y | ||
| 461231 | Body Artist | Y | |||
| 461232 | Make-up Artist | Y | |||
| 461432 | Domestic Animal Attendant | Y | |||
| 4619 | Other Personal Service and Travel Workers | Y | |||
| 461931 | Airline Customer Support Worker | Y | |||
| 462131 | Fitness Instructor (General) | Y | |||
| 4715 | Hospitality Supervisors | Y | |||
| 471631 | Sommelier | Y | |||
| 5112 | Program and Project Administrators | Y | |||
| 511232 | Program or Project Administrator | Y | Y | ||
| 5222 | Executive Assistants | Y | |||
| 522231 | Executive Assistant | Y | |||
| 541331 | Payroll Officer | Y | |||
| 5711 | Logistics and Transport Coordinators | Y | Y | ||
| 571132 | Logistics Officer | Y | |||
| 571331 | Procurement Officer | Y | |||
| 5991 | Filing and Registry Clerks and Library Assistants | Y | |||
| 5999 | Other Miscellaneous Clerical and Administrative Workers | Y | |||
| 599942 | Clinical Coder | Y | |||
| 619131 | Marketing Assistant | Y | |||
| 6199 | Other Sales Support Workers | Y | |||
| 621231 | Sales Representative (Building and Plumbing Supplies) | Y | Y | ||
| 631132 | Sales Assistant (General) | Y | |||
| 6312 | Community Pharmacy Sales Assistants | Y | |||
| 631999 | Sales Assistants and Salespersons nec | Y | |||
| 732431 | Wastewater or Water Plant Operator | Y | |||
| 732932 | Bulk Materials Handling Plant Operator | Y | |||
| 741932 | Aircraft Refueller | Y | |||
| 741935 | Railway Track Plant Operator | Y | Y | ||
| 8113 | Drycleaners and Laundry Workers | Y | |||
| 811333 | Drycleaner | Y | Y | ||
| 811432 | Domestic Housekeeper | Y | |||
| 811934 | Window Cleaner | Y | Y | ||
| 821232 | Dogger | Y | |||
| 8214 | Home Improvement and Insulation Installers | Y | |||
| 821434 | Window Furnishing Installer | Y | |||
| 821499 | Home Improvement and Insulation Installers nec | Y | |||
| 821531 | Paving and Surfacing Labourer | Y | |||
| 821631 | Drainage, Sewerage and Stormwater Labourer | Y | |||
| 821935 | Railway Track Worker | Y | Y | ||
| 831136 | Fruit and Vegetable Factory Worker | Y | Y | ||
| 831331 | Meat Process Worker | Y | |||
| 851233 | Pastrycook's Assistant | Y | |||
| 8911 | Freight and Furniture Handlers | Y | |||
| 899631 | Road Traffic Controller | Y | |||
| 8999 | Other Miscellaneous Labourers | Y |
- includes changes to the lead statement, inclusion and exclusion statement, alternative title(s) and/or specialisation(s).