Step forward with veterinarians updated in ABS classification system

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is pleased to share a win for the profession, as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) this week recognised veterinarians alongside other health professionals. 

The profession of "Veterinarian" has successfully been updated in the ANZSCO (now known as OSCA) classification system. The change better reflects veterinarians’ scope of skills and responsibilities, standards, and societal value. This is an important change for the profession and is anticipated to positively affect data, modelling, and subsequent access to government funding and policy decisions. 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – which manages the system – conducted a thorough review of the system, by reviewing the grouping, title/s, description, skill level and main tasks of all occupations including "veterinarian", so that it was more accurately defined.    

Following a comprehensive submission by the AVA and subsequent consultation on a revised structure, veterinarians have moved from ‘2347  under Natural and Physical Science Professionals' in the ANZSCO classification to ‘2695 under Miscellaneous Health Professionals’ in the new classification system; Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)’.  

The AVA submitted support for this change which more accurately reflects the regulation of veterinarians and their responsibility for animal health, welfare, and public health.  

The OSCA framework underpins jobs in Australia and provides key data for workforce and talent strategies, learning and development, and policy. This change is anticipated to positively affect data, modelling, and access to government funding and policy decisions, e.g., Commonwealth Prac Payment placement schemes.  

Every Australian occupation is described within the OSCA classification system. The system helps to organise, collect and store data on Australia's workforce. The OSCA system helps to shape government policies, industry standards, education pathways, skilled migration programs and workforce strategies. 

The classification has been updated in time for use by the 2026 Census and allows more accurate data to be collected over time, such as earnings, hours and jobs.