The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) last updated the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) on 22 November 2022. This is the fifth revision since ANZSCO was established in 2006.

This update targets construction-related trade occupations and emerging occupations identified by the National Skills Commission in 2020. While these are priority areas for the Australian labour market, the ABS also chose these occupations to test a new approach to updating the catalogue. Currently, the ABS is working with different government agencies on a comprehensive review of ANZSCO. The review focuses on how skills can be better reflected in the classification and seeks to capture existing and emerging occupations considering, among others, emerging industry developments in technology and digitalisation and modern agriculture.

List of Changes. What’s New?

Changes vs Skilled Occupation Lists

Many visa programs in Australia require applicants to have an eligible skilled occupation. Legislative instruments prescribe current lists of eligible skilled occupations for these programs and may include a:

• Medium And Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
• Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
• Regional Occupation List (ROL)

The changes introduced by ANZSCO version 2021 and ANZSCO Version 2022 have yet to be incorporated into legislation. However, while current legislative instruments for points-test and employer-sponsored visas have not been updated, new occupations may be eligible under the labour agreement stream of sponsored programs, such as DAMAs or Industry-specific agreements.

Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022, ANZSCO – Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, 2022