ANZSCO Review and OSCA Classifications
ANZSCO Review and OSCA Classifications
Last Updated: February 2025
This page reflects the most current information available. Please check back regularly for any updates.
Key Changes in OSCA Classifications
The recent release of the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) 2024 has introduced key updates and clarifications to occupational classifications within the beauty and aesthetic sectors. Notably, these changes affect the definitions and skill levels for Beauty Therapists (461131) and Dermal Therapists (461132).
The Beauty and Dermal Therapists unit group (4611) has been classified into two subcategories by the ABS under the OSCA final review released in December 2024:
461131 Beauty Therapist
• Skill Level: 3
Requires an AQF Certificate III (with two years of on-the-job training) or AQF Certificate IV, or at least three years of relevant experience.
• Scope of Work:
- Provides standard skin care and beauty treatments such as facials, waxing, and spray tanning.
- Administers superficial beauty treatments and devices.
- Conducts basic skin analyses and sells beauty products.
- May specialize as a Cosmetic Tattooist, Nail Technician, or Eyelash Technician.
- Exclusions: Does not include Make-up Artists (covered under Occupation 461232) or Body Artists (461231).
461132 Dermal Therapist
• Skill Level: 2
Requires an AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma, or Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience.
• Scope of Work:
- Performs advanced skin analyses to recommend appropriate treatments.
- Administers professional dermal therapies such as microdermabrasion, chemical
- peels, and acne treatments.
- Operates laser and intense pulsed light devices for hair reduction and treats
- superficial pigment issues.
- Focuses on age management and non-surgical skin rejuvenation procedures.
- Provides professional skin care advice and product recommendations.
Ambiguity in Classifications: Diploma and Advanced Diploma Holders
The classifications present a challenge for interpreting the status of Diploma and Advanced Diploma-qualified Beauty Therapists, whose qualifications align with Skill Level 2 but are categorised under Beauty Therapy (Skill Level 3). This ambiguity raises several issues:
1. Overlap in Qualifications and Scope:
- Beauty therapy qualifications span Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma levels. However, Diploma and Advanced Diploma holders are grouped under Skill Level 3 despite their training often overlapping with dermal therapy (Skill Level 2).
2. Role and Scope of Practice:
- The scope of practice for advanced beauty therapists with Diploma or Advanced Diploma qualifications is not clearly delineated, potentially restricting their ability to perform advanced treatments such as IPL or chemical peels without reclassification as dermal therapists.
3. Workplace Implications:
- Employers and regulators may default to aligning advanced treatments with dermal therapy roles, excluding Diploma-qualified beauty therapists from performing treatments they are trained to administer.
Potential Implications for the Beauty and Aesthetic Industry
This update outlines the potential implications of these changes, particularly the overlap between qualifications and skill levels, and provides actionable recommendations for industry professionals and stakeholders.
1. Differentiation of Roles
- The updated classifications highlight the distinction between beauty therapists and dermal therapists based on skill level, qualifications, and scope of work.
- Employers in future may need to employ qualified professionals matching the scope defined by these categories, especially for advanced treatments.
2. Qualification Standards
- Dermal therapists require a diploma higher qualifications (Skill Level 2), emphasising formal training in advanced procedures and technology.
- Beauty therapists (Skill Level 3) in the OSCA decision are aligned more with general beauty services and lower-risk treatments under the definition.
- This distinction may inform training institutions to align courses with these roles.
3. Professional Scope
- Advanced treatments involving lasers, dermal devices, and non-invasive rejuvenation in the OSCA decision are designated in writing for dermal therapists. Beauty therapists are not included in writing within this scope.
4. Industry Compliance
- The updated skill levels and scope may inform compliance with licensing, registration, and workplace regulations.
5. Opportunities for Upskilling
- The OSCA decision may affect Beauty therapists wishing to expand their scope into advanced therapies, as they may need to pursue further education to achieve qualifications required for dermal therapy.
ABIC's Committment
To address these issues and support industry professionals, ABIC proposes the following actions:
1. Advocacy for Regulatory Clarity:
- Push for the recognition of advanced beauty therapy as a distinct category (Skill Level 2 equivalent) to bridge the gap between beauty and dermal therapy roles.
- ABIC has proposed a detailed competency framework that aligns qualifications with defined scopes of practice.
2. Recognition of Diploma and Advanced Diploma Qualifications:
- ABIC is advocating for recognition of experienced Diploma and Advanced Diploma-qualified beauty therapists as capable of performing advanced treatments within their scope.
3. Transitional and Grandfathering Provisions:
- ABIC is advocating for practitioners with existing qualifications to be allowed to continue performing treatments without unnecessary disadvantage.
4. Education and Workforce Support:
- ABIC are providing information to employers and practitioners to navigate regulatory changes, including clear guidance on qualifications and compliance.
5. Uniform Licensing and Insurance Standards:
- ABIC is advocating for consistent licensing and insurance requirements that reflect the capabilities of Diploma-qualified beauty therapists.
6. Upskilling and Training Pathways:
- ABIC suggests Diploma-level practitioners to explore additional qualifications if required, to ensure they remain within their scope of practice.
Actions that ABIC will undertake
ABIC is meeting with the ABS to appeal their final decision and advocate for the proposed framework which ABIC submitted to ABS (ANZSCO/OSCA review) in December 2024. The framework outlines 3 Categories under the 4611 Classification IN PERSONAL SERVICES as follows:
Beautician/Beauty Services Consultants
- Skill Level 3
- Certificate 3 & 4 Beauty Service/Apprenticeship / or EQUIVALENT BEAUTY SERVICES QUALIFICATION
Beauty Therapist/Advanced Beauty Therapist
- Skill Level 2
- Diploma Beauty Therapy / Advanced Diploma Skin Therapy / or EQUIVALENT BEAUTY THERAPY QUALIFICATION
Dermal Therapist
- Skill Level 2
- Associate Degree in Applied Health Science (Dermal Therapy) / Advanced Diploma Cosmetic Dermal Science / Graduate Diploma Dermal Science / or EQUIVALENT DERMAL THERAPY QUALIFICATION
What This Means for You
The OSCA 2024 classifications mark a significant step in the ongoing professionalisation of the beauty and aesthetics industry. While these changes present challenges, they also create opportunities to elevate industry standards and better define roles, responsibilities, and career pathways.
Key Considerations:
- Beauty Therapists with Certificate-level qualifications will continue to focus on general beauty services.
- If regulations evolve, those with a Diploma of Beauty Therapy or Advanced Diploma of Skin Therapy may need to align with Dermal Therapist classifications to continue performing advanced treatments.
- Employers may need to review staff qualifications and scopes of practice to ensure alignment with future industry standards.
What’s Changing Now?
As of 2025, there are no immediate changes to how you practice in your salon, spa or clinic, or to the treatments you can perform. The OSCA classifications have not yet impacted regulations or education requirements.
ABIC is actively advocating for the profession and is currently conducting a series of meetings with the ABS to appeal their final decision.
👈 We continue to push for the proposed framework submitted by ABIC during the ANZSCO/OSCA review in December 2024 to ensure fair and accurate classification for the industry.
We will keep you informed on any developments that may affect your practice. Stay connected with ABIC for the latest updates.
TIMELINE - From ANZSCO Review to OSCA Appeal
ABS Review Begins
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) launched a once-in-20-years review of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) to modernize classifications and better reflect evolving professions. This review has major implications for the beauty, dermal, and aesthetics industry, influencing scope of practice, qualifications, workforce planning, and legislation.
ABS Beauty Industry Occupation (Prior to the Review)
Before the review, the ABS had only one occupation listed for the beauty industry:
- Beauty Therapist – Skill Level 3
- Qualifications: Certificate III & IV (which aligned with Beauty Services / Beautician, not Beauty Therapist).
-
This classification was inaccurate as it did not distinguish Beauty Therapists from those with a Diploma in Beauty Therapy. Additionally, the ABS did not recognise Dermal Therapists or Dermal Clinicians as separate occupations.
December 2023: ABIC Submitted Industry Proposal
In the early stages of the review, ABIC submitted a formal, industry-backed proposal advocating for new and reclassified occupations to ensure the government accurately recognised the skills, qualifications, and scope of practice within the beauty, dermal, and aesthetics industry. This proposal included five newly defined or reclassified occupations to provide a clearer understanding of the industry's professional landscape.
This is the main part of our submitted proposal:
Occupations:
- Beauty Services / Beautician Skill Level 3
- Beauty Therapist Skill Level 2
- Dermal Therapist Skill Level 1 or 2 (Based on AQF Level)
- Dermal Clinician Skill Level 1
- Cosmetic Nurse Skill Level 1
👉 December 2023 - ABIC Submitted Industry Proposed Occupations List (5 occupations).pdf
July 2024: ABS Released a Draft Proposal
The ABS responded with a revised classification, but their proposed occupations did not fully align with the industry's needs. Their draft included:
- Beautician / Beauty Therapist (Skill Level 3)
- Dermal Therapist (Skill Level 2)
ABIC believe both of these occupations, the way they are listed, are not reflective of the current industry occupations.
SEE THE ABS ANZSCO PROPOSAL - Scroll to Page 8 for Beauty >> CLICK HERE
August 2024: Industry Feedback Was Collected
In response to the ABS draft, ABIC:
✔ Held an industry information session to clarify the implications.
✔ Surveyed members, receiving nearly 700 responses on proposed changes.
✔ Reviewed feedback with the ABIC Self-Regulation Committee, which included independent industry experts.
👉 August 2023 - ABIC Proposed Occupations.pdf
September 2024: ABIC Submitted a Refined Proposal
Based on member feedback and industry collaboration, ABIC refined the proposal, aligning with:
✔ The Australian Society of Dermal Clinicians (ASDC)
✔ SACSA and other government-aligned bodies
This semi-final proposal was submitted to the ABS on September 6, 2024.
👉 September 2024 - ABIC Proposed Occupations List_UPDATED.pdf
December 2024: ABS Released Final OSCA Classifications
The ABS released the newly classified OSCA (Occupation Skill Classification Australia) occupations and classifications. However, the final decisions did not align with ABIC’s September 2024 proposal.
ABIC has Appealed the ABS Decision
ABIC has formally appealed the ABS decision as they fail to accurately reflect the scope and qualifications of professionals within the beauty, dermal, and aesthetics industry.
What Happens Next?
🔹 ABIC is currently conducting a series of meetings with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to appeal their final decision and advocate for the proposed framework which ABIC submitted to ABS (ANZSCO/OSCA review) in December 2024.
🔹 Advocacy efforts will continue to ensure fair recognition of industry roles.
🔹 Industry professionals will be encouraged to unite and strengthen representation under ABIC membership. We need your support and voices. 👉 Join ABIC today!
Thank you for your voices as we continue “Fighting For Our Industry & Protecting Your Future”
- 2023: ABIC sought member input for the ANZSCO review and submitted an industry-backed proposal to the ABS in December 2023.
- July–August 2024: After receiving the ABS’s Stage 4 proposal, ABIC launched an awareness campaign, hosted an industry meeting, and surveyed members to gather further feedback.
- September 4, 2024: ABIC presented the survey findings to the Self-Regulation Committee, which refined the proposal based on industry input.
- The semi-final proposal went under final review by the ABIC Council, ASDC, SACSA, and other industry bodies.
- The final proposal was submitted to the ABS on September 6, 2024, alongside SACSA’s submission.
- ABIC is currently conducting a series of meetings with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to appeal their final decision.
Socials
Stay connected
