Government decisions regarding which occupations receive funding and support rely on information contained in the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) and related priority lists.
Your input into the datasets that inform these lists is important. It ensures they accurately reflect the skills, training and workforce needs of industry.
Information on the OSCA and how to contribute is provided below. You can also contact us for more information.
On this page
Overview and consultation schedule
| System | How it works | Activity | Key dates | News and updates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) | Provides a system for storing, organising and reporting occupation-related information about the Australian labour market | Submissions collected for the 2027 occupation update Feedback collected on proposed changes Release of the OSCA 2027 (occupation update) | 10 March to 11 April 2026 August 2026 March 2027 | See our latest news stories |
| Occupation Shortage List (OSL) | Identifies the OSCA occupations where positions are difficult for employers to fill | Input on the OSL collected through an annual survey | 20 January to 18 March 2026 | See our latest news stories |
| Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL) | Lists occupations eligible for a skilled migration visa | Input on the CSOL collected via survey and submissions (complete) | 25 August to 26 September 2025 | See previous news stories |
| Australian Apprenticeship Priority List (AAPL) | Lists apprenticeship and traineeships that are eligible for additional government support | Feedback collected about proposed updates to the APPL methodology (complete) | 4 September to 17 October 2025 | Read about our contributions |
How it works
What is the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)?
The Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) is a system for classifying occupations within the Australian labour market. It provides a consistent way to collect, analyse and report information about the workforce.
Why it matters for you:
- The OSCA specifies how occupations are grouped and recognised in national data (like the Census).
- It determines which jobs can appear on national skills lists (and are eligible for funding/migration).
- If your occupation isn’t classified correctly, it may miss out on support.
Who maintains it: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
How to have your say:
- Submit evidence directly to ABS during consultation rounds.
- Skills Insight can help highlight industry positions and provide industry survey templates.
How it is updated:
The ABS delivers updates in line with the OSCA Maintenance Strategy based on evidence and data from multiple sources, including stakeholder consultations.
What is the Occupation Shortage List (OSL)?
The Occupation Shortage List (OSL) identifies national and state/territory skill shortages, including whether shortages are disproportionately in regional or metropolitan areas.
Why it matters for you: If an occupation in your industry is listed as in shortage, it may attract incentives, priority training and apprenticeships.
Who maintains it: Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA).
How to have your say:
- Complete JSA’s annual survey and provide information on vacancies, recruitment difficulties and demand forecasts.
- Share data with Skills Insight anytime to inform workforce planning.
Eligibility criteria: Occupations must be classified at OSCA Skill Levels 1 to 4. As the purpose of the OSL is to inform government decisions about education and training incentives and skilled migration pathways, Skill Level 5 occupations are not includes as they generally do not require significant post-school education and training.
See the JSA website for more information on how shortages are determined.
What is the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List (AAPL)?
The Australian Apprenticeship Priority List (AAPL) defines the occupations and qualifications that are eligible for financial support under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System, which includes:
- Financial support for employers:
- Priority Hiring Incentive Employer Payment
- Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support
- Payments and supports for apprentices:
Why it matters for you: The AAPL determines which apprenticeships/traineeships get financial support (employer incentives, apprentice payments, clean energy bonuses).
Who maintains it: Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
How to have your say: There is no direct feedback mechanism for the AAPL. To support the inclusion of an occupation on the AAPL it is best to engage in OSL and OSCA consultations.
Eligibility criteria: The AAPL includes VET qualifications at Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma, or Advanced Diploma level that can be undertaken as an apprenticeship or traineeship to gain the identified occupation. The current AAPL may include occupations that are:
- assessed by JSA as being in national shortage on the OSL
- classified by the ABS under OSCA Major Group 3 – Technicians and trades workers or Major Group 4 – Community and personal service workers
- classified at OSCA Skill Level 2, 3 or 4.
What is the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)?
The Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL) forms part of the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy, identifying occupations that should be considered for the Core Skills Stream of the Skills in Demand visa. It is determined by consultation and labour data.
Why it matters for you: If occupations in your industry are included in the CSOL, employers can more easily recruit overseas workers to fill shortages.
Who maintains it: Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA).
How to have your say: Share your insights by participating in JSA consultations.
Eligibility criteria:
The CSOL may include occupations that are:
- classified at OSCA Skill Level 1, 2 or 3
- assessed by JSA as being in national shortage on the OSL (while this is a key input, it is not determinative)
- assessed by JSA as an appropriate pathway to address identified shortages in skilled occupations, based on factors such as:
- retention of migrants in their nominated occupation in the years after arrival
- the importance of sponsored skilled visa holders relative to total employment and job vacancies
- the pipeline of graduates from the Australian education and training
- the market salary for the occupation.
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For updates on Skills Insight activities related to the OSCA and similar initiatives, you are welcome to subscribe to Skills Insight’s newsletter. Please select ‘General News’ as one of your subscriptions.