ANZSCO is being replaced in Australia. New Zealand is going its own way too. Here are plain answers to the questions we see most, each linked to its source.
What is OSCA, and how is it different from ANZSCO?
OSCA stands for Occupation Standard Classification for Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics released OSCA on 6 December 2024 as a replacement for ANZSCO in Australia. ANZSCO was a joint Australian and New Zealand standard. OSCA is Australia-only. New Zealand is developing its own separate National Occupation List (NOL) through Stats NZ.
Is ANZSCO going away?
Not immediately for migration purposes. The ABS has released OSCA and says OSCA replaces ANZSCO for use in Australia, but Australia’s visa and skills-assessment system still runs on ANZSCO. The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) is benchmarked to the November 2022 release of ANZSCO. Whether or when Home Affairs switches migration to OSCA is not confirmed on a primary source. Do not rely on any specific switch date you read elsewhere.
Does the OSCA change affect my visa or skills assessment right now?
For most people, no change yet. Australia’s visa system, including the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the CSOL, still uses ANZSCO codes. Skills-assessing authorities also still refer to ANZSCO. The 2025 Occupation Shortage List published ratings in both ANZSCO 2022 and OSCA 2024 formats, but migration-linked uses keep the ANZSCO basis. Check the official source for your specific visa stream before you rely on any code.
Does New Zealand use OSCA?
No. The ABS and Stats NZ ended their joint ANZSCO custodianship in 2024. Australia moved to OSCA; New Zealand is developing its own National Occupation List (NOL). New Zealand’s Green List and work visa pathways still reference ANZSCO codes for now. You can search NZ-relevant occupations such as Software Engineer (261313) or Civil Engineer (233211) in the ANZSCO 2022 group pages we index.
What is the OSCA roadmap, and when will OSCA 2027 arrive?
The ABS has published the following roadmap on the OSCA latest-release page: post-release corrections in July 2025, public consultation March to April 2026, draft revision August 2026, and OSCA 2027 expected March 2027. These are ABS planning dates and can change. We will update this page when new official information is published.
Does being on ANZSCO mean I am on the shortage list or a visa list?
No. These are three separate things. Your ANZSCO code identifies your occupation. Being listed on a visa pathway list such as the CSOL means that occupation can be used for a particular visa stream. The 2025 Occupation Shortage List is a separate, annual, point-in-time assessment of which occupations face a labour market shortage. An occupation can be on a visa list but rated no shortage, and vice versa. Keep the three questions distinct.
Still not sure which code is yours? You can search the ANZSCO 2022 codes yourself. If you would rather not guess, the CV matcher at app.anzscofinder.com will map your CV to its closest codes. Information only, with a source and date on every fact. For advice on which visa to apply for, speak to a registered migration agent.
Sources
- ABS: OSCA Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, latest release → As of 23 Oct 2025
- ABS: About OSCA → As of 23 Oct 2025
- Home Affairs: Skill occupation list → As of 23 Oct 2025
- ABS: ANZSCO 2022 → As of 23 Oct 2025