The recent decades have seen the labour market become a moving puzzle; as new technologies and products emerge; organisations and the labour market evolve to adapt. However, it is not always possible to continuously map these changes via classification codes, as updates to any code system are time-consuming and painstaking work. At the same time, classification codes are critical for decision-making across all levels of government and industry, from wage analysis to migration. Occupational and industry mapping shapes and, at times, drives decision-making.

We welcome the OSCA review process from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), as it will provide timely and critical information about occupational classifications, which will result in appropriate action from stakeholders. 

What is new?

The ABS has identified the need for an Australian occupational mapping tool that goes beyond the ANZSCO model to accurately capture Australia's lived reality, especially to cater to new and emerging occupations. 

Why does it matter?

Occupational mapping from the ABS feeds into various levels of government decision-making, including migration-relevant Core Skilled Occupation Lists (CSOL), pay and gender equity analysis, education and training, and job roles and recruitment.

OSCA will be used for key ABS data collection, such as the Census of Population and Housing, Labour Force Survey, and Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours.

How does it affect me?

If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound?

If we are unable to identify an occupation or skill, we are unable to:

• Determine whether it is in shortage
• Whether appropriate skills are being taught/delivered
• Adequately address recruitment needs
• Conduct any meaningful analysis on gender, diversity, or inclusion outcomes, or;
• Examine the effect of relevant policy changes.

For many conventional occupations, this will not mean a substantial change other than a code update. The changes will allow most newer occupations to be captured, redundant occupations to be removed, and some of the broader, more general occupations to be split to an appropriate level. See our OSCA submission. 

Examples of updates relevant to the automotive and mining sectors include:

• ANZSCO sub-major group 32 Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers has been split into two sub-major groups:*
  • Sub-major Group 33 Engineering Trades Workers, and
  • Sub-major Group 35 Automotive Technicians and Trades Workers.
• Changing 321211 Motor Mechanics (General) to 351131 Automotive Technicians (General)*
• Changing 321212 Diesel Motor Mechanic to 351433 Diesel Technician*
• Changing 321213 Motorcycle Mechanic to 351436 Motorcycle Technician*
• Developing a new category 351434 Electric Vehicle Technician (as opposed to having them grouped under automotive technician - general)*
• Developing a new category 351435 Marine Technician*

What's Next?

As OSCA is rolled out, we will work together with ABS to identify instances for the automotive and mining industries to help improve the resolution of OSCA and our relevant occupations. We encourage your feedback as OSCA is rolled out. Share your thoughts with us. 

Notes: *we have recommended these changes