In late 2024, Australia introduced OSCA, the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, following years of consultation and a $23.7 million investment allocated over four years through the 2022–23 Federal Budget. OSCA was presented as the long-awaited replacement for the outdated ANZSCO framework, with updated classifications and modernised descriptions. Interestingly, according to the Australian Computer Society , some of the new occupation descriptions in OSCA were drafted with the assistance of AI tools such as ChatGPT. This use of AI reportedly saved the ABS team around 1,600 hours of manual work.
However, as of May 2025, there has been no change in how skilled migration applications are assessed. ANZSCO remains the sole occupational classification in use. Whether that will shift later this year is uncertain, but for now, applicants and employers must continue to rely on ANZSCO.
OSCA Is Here, But Not for Migration
OSCA introduced important updates for labour market analysis, including:
- 1,156 occupations (vs 1,076 in ANZSCO 2022)
- 421 unit groups (vs 364 in ANZSCO 2022)
- 300 emerging occupations added, 250 outdated ones removed
- Task descriptions at occupation level, not just unit group level
- Gender-inclusive language and Indigenous representation
- Entirely managed by ABS (no longer co-managed with Stats NZ)
These changes modernise workforce data collection but have no current application in the migration system.
ANZSCO vs. OSCA: Key Differences
Although OSCA introduces improvements, it does not yet impact migration. Some key differences include:
| ANZSCO | OSCA | |
|---|---|---|
| Used for Migration? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Versions Used | v1.2 and v2022 | v1.0 (2024) |
| Occupation Count | 1,076 | 1,156 |
| Unit Groups | 364 | 421 |
| Task Descriptions | At Unit Group Level (4-digit code) | At Occupation Level (6-digit code) |
| Includes Gender-Neutral & Indigenous Representation? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Managed by | ABS & Stats NZ (until 2024) | ABS (Australia only) |
ANZSCO Still Determines Your Visa Options
Despite OSCA’s advancements, the Department of Home Affairs has not adopted it for visa processing. All skilled migration assessments continue to rely on ANZSCO occupation codes, including:
- Employer-sponsored visa subclasses (186 and 482), which reference ANZSCO 2022.
- General skilled migration visas (subclasses 189, 190, and 491), which still rely on ANZSCO v1.2.
As of May 2025, OSCA has not been adopted for migration purposes. While no formal explanation has been provided, several practical factors may be contributing to this delay:
1. Legislative and Regulatory Complexity
Australia’s migration laws and regulations specifically reference ANZSCO. Any transition to OSCA would likely require substantial legal reforms and policy changes, a complex process that involves multiple government agencies and stakeholder consultations.
2. Systems and Infrastructure
Existing systems used for visa processing, including SkillSelect and ImmiAccount, are deeply integrated with ANZSCO classifications. Adopting OSCA would require significant system upgrades, testing, and implementation phases, which are both time-consuming and resource-intensive.
3. Stakeholder Readiness
States and territories, assessing bodies, and employers all operate on processes tied to ANZSCO. A national shift to OSCA would demand alignment across diverse institutions.
4. Continuity for Ongoing Applications
A sudden shift to OSCA could create inconsistencies for applicants who have already lodged or prepared visa applications under ANZSCO. To ensure procedural fairness, any transition would need to be carefully staged, with clear guidelines and a defined dual-use period to avoid disadvantaging those already in the system.
Conclusion
Although OSCA represents a modern and forward-looking classification system, ANZSCO remains the legal and practical framework governing skilled migration to Australia. Until the necessary legislative and systemic changes are implemented, it will continue to determine migration pathways and outcomes.
