Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has now completed its review of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). The ABS and Statistics New Zealand have announced that each country will introduce their own tailored occupational statistical classification. Australia’s will now be known as the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA).
Why the move to OSCA?
OSCA provides a standardised collection, analysis, and dissemination of occupation data for Australia and New Zealand. Significantly, osteopaths have historically been grouped together at a unit level with chiropractors, which we have argued for separation. This grouping is no longer significant, nor does it benefit either profession in representation, definition or workforce planning strategies. Positively, as a result of this consultation process and our advocacy work, the osteopathic occupation has been separated from chiropractors at a unit group level, however as the profession falls below the threshold of 5000 individuals, it has not been granted an independent unit group.
Where is osteopathy classified?
Osteopathy will now be classified under the unit group ‘Other Allied Health Physical and Sensory Therapy Professionals’ which will also contain ‘Orthotists & Prosthetists’ and ‘allied health physical and sensory therapy professionals’. As this new classification may make it hard to find the profession initially, we have recommended that more data is released at an occupation group level to better inform workforce policy.
The importance of identifying as an osteopath during the census
This change is a step forward in the profession's recognition, but further progress depends on accurate data. Osteopaths must actively identify themselves in the 2026 census. Having this data will support the associations' efforts to advocate on your behalf for an independent classification to ensure better representation, funding and workforce planning.
