New Occupation Classifications – Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) has been jointly managed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa (Stats NZ) since it was first published in 2006.
Careful consideration has been given to the shared custodianship of the classification between Australia and New Zealand. It has been agreed by the ABS and Stats NZ that while maintaining comparability, each country will introduce their own tailored occupational statistical classifications.
This will allow each agency to maintain separate but aligned classifications, with localised adaptations to better reflect the contemporary labour market and meet stakeholder needs.
The ABS and Stats NZ will continue to work closely together through our commitment to providing high quality insights and data to inform important decisions in our respective countries. We will continue to foster our collaborative and cooperative relationship to ensure our international occupation data standards are aligned.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Statistics New Zealand announced today, that while maintaining comparability, each country will introduce their own tailored occupational statistical classifications.
The joint Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) was established in 2006. The labour markets in both countries have changed and the differences are greater than they were when the joint management of the occupation classification began.
Australian Statistician Dr David Gruen and New Zealand Government Statistician Mr Mark Sowden said the decision is mutual and have committed to continue working together to maintain Trans-Tasman and international comparability as a priority.
The two agencies will develop concordances to map between classifications to maintain comparability, data continuity and time-series analysis.
Mr Sowden said the decision has benefits for New Zealand.
“Comparability with Australia is crucial, and this will be maintained as we introduce a New Zealand-focussed list, with the benefit of reflecting our modern labour market. Equally, our Trans-Tasman mutual recognition of accreditation remains unchanged,” he says.
Dr Gruen spoke of the benefits for Australia.
“Joint management of the occupation classification has served both countries well. With increased differences between the Australian and New Zealand labour markets, the benefits of joint management are no longer compelling. Updating the occupation classification to reflect the contemporary Australian labour market is important, as is ensuring that Trans-Tasman comparisons can continue.”
For New Zealand, the changes will come into effect on Wednesday 20 November 2024.
For Australia, the new classification will be called the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA), 2024, version 1.0 and will be released on Friday 6 December 2024.
