Mark Vender
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Statistics New Zealand have announced each country will introduce its own tailored occupational statistical classifications, while at the same time maintaining comparability.
The joint Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) was established in 2006. But according to a statement from the agencies, 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 Mark Sowden say the decision is mutual and the agencies have committed to continue working together. The two agencies will develop concordances to map between classifications to maintain comparability, data continuity and time-series analysis.
Dr Gruen says the move will bring important benefits.
“Joint management of the occupation classification has served both countries well,” he says. “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.”
Sowden says that, despite the split, Trans-Tasman and international comparability will remain a priority.
“Comparability with Australia is crucial, and this will be maintained as we introduce a New Zealand-focused list, with the benefit of reflecting our modern labour market,” he says. “Equally, our Trans-Tasman mutual recognition of accreditation remains unchanged.”
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, December 6, 2024. This follows a series of consultations over 2023 and 2024 to update the classifications.
For New Zealand, the changes will come into effect on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
More information is available at the ABS website.
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