ANZSCO Skill Level Classifications

If you’re curious about understanding the skill levels associated with different occupations in Australia and New Zealand, you’ve come to the right place. 

In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the ANZSCO Skill Level Classifications system, its significance, and how it is used to assess qualifications and work experience. 

Whether you’re an aspiring migrant, a student planning a career, or simply interested in exploring the skill levels of various professions, this blog will shed light on the ANZSCO classification and its implications. 

Join us as we delve into the world of ANZSCO and unravel the skill levels that shape the employment landscape in Australia and New Zealand.

ANZSCO and Skill Level: Understanding Occupational Classification

The ANZSCO is a skill-based classification used by Australia and New Zealand to categorise occupations. It consists of five hierarchical levels: major group, sub-major group, minor group, unit group, and occupation. 

Occupations are identified by a six-digit ANZSCO code, such as “142111 Retail Manager,” while unit groups bring together related occupations like “1421 Retail Managers.”

Each unit group provides descriptions of the occupation’s nature, main activities, and a comprehensive list of duties applicable to most roles within that group. 

All occupations and unit groups in the ANZSCO are assigned skill levels ranging from Level 1 (highly skilled) to Level 5 (low skilled). To give you an idea, here’s a table illustrating examples of occupations and industries for each skill level:

Table A:

Skill Level	Occupation and Industry
1 – Highly Skilled	Managers and professional roles in education and training (teachers), professional and technical services, health and social assistance, and agriculture (farmers and farm managers)
2	Managers in the accommodation and retail industries, support workers in the health and social assistance industry
3 – Skilled	Technicians and trade workers in the construction, manufacturing, and other service industries
4	Carers and receptionists in the health industry, road and rail drivers in the transport industry, clerks, operators, drivers, store people, and process workers in the manufacturing industry
5 – Low-skilled	Sales workers in the retail industry, factory process workers in the manufacturing industry, accommodation, farm, forestry, and garden workers in agriculture, cleaners, and laundry workers in the administration industry

Table B:

Skill Level	Qualification	Work Experience
1 – Highly Skilled	Bachelor’s degree or above	5 years
2	Diploma	3 years
3 – Skilled	NZ Register Level	3 years
4	NZ Register Level 2 or 3	1 years
5 – Low-skilled	NZ Register Level 1 or compulsory secondary education	Short period of on-the-job training

To determine if your job aligns with an ANZSCO occupation, compare your role to the occupation’s description and assess whether your training and experience make you suitable.

Conceptual Model: ANZSCO Skill Classification

In the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) conceptual model, we classify occupations and jobs in the labour markets of Australia and New Zealand. 

This classification system groups occupations based on skill level and specialisation, allowing for meaningful analysis and statistical purposes.

Hierarchy of Classification: Major Group, Sub-Major Group, Minor Group, Unit Group, Occupation

The ANZSCO classification is structured into five hierarchical levels: major group, sub-major group, minor group, unit group, and occupation. Each level represents a progressively broader category of occupations with similar skill levels and specialisations.

• Major Group: The broadest level of ANZSCO, formed by combining skill level and specialisation to create meaningful groups for analysis and administrative purposes.
• Sub-Major Group: Subdivisions of major groups, differentiated by skill level and a broad application of skill specialisation within the same major group.
• Minor Group: Subdivisions of sub-major groups, distinguished mainly by a narrower application of skill specialisation within the same sub-major group.
• Unit Group: Subdivisions of minor groups, distinguished by a finer application of skill specialisation and, if necessary, skill level within the same minor group.
• Occupation: The most detailed level in ANZSCO, representing subsets of unit groups. Occupations are distinguished based on detailed skill specialisation and involve performing a common set of tasks. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information on this topic.

Underlying Concepts: Jobs and Occupations in ANZSCO

Understanding the underlying concepts of “job” and “occupation” is crucial for comprehending the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) framework. These concepts are defined and explained below.

The Concept of Job

A “job” refers to a set of tasks an individual performs for an employer, including self-employment, in exchange for pay or profit. ANZSCO classifies individuals by occupation based on their relationship to past, present, or future jobs. 

Every job typically involves working for a specific employer and performing a specific set of tasks. Even those self-employed are considered to have jobs and are included in the labour force.

The Concept of Occupation

The categories at the most detailed level in the ANZSCO structure are known as “occupations.” An “occupation” consists of a set of jobs requiring similar or identical tasks. 

Although it is rare for two actual jobs to have identical task sets, in practical terms, an occupation represents a group of jobs with highly similar main tasks. 

In ANZSCO, the similarity of tasks within an occupation is determined by the level and specialisation of skills required to perform those tasks. Skill is defined as the ability to execute the functions associated with an occupation competently. Consequently, ANZSCO classifies occupations based on two criteria: skill level and skill specialisation.

The Concept of Skill Level

Skill level is determined by the range and complexity of tasks performed within a specific occupation. The greater the range and complexity of tasks, the higher the skill level of the occupation.

ANZSCO operationally measures skill level by considering the following:

• The level and extent of formal education and training required.
• The amount of previous experience in related occupations.
• The duration of on-the-job training is necessary for competent task performance.

Occupations with a broader and more complex task set require more formal education and training, as well as previous experience and on-the-job training, to achieve competent performance. 

Formal education and training refer to the level and extent of education and training needed to perform the tasks required for an occupation proficiently. It is measured in relation to educational qualifications aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF). It is measured in months or years.

On-the-job training denotes the duration of training required after starting work in an occupation to perform the associated tasks competently. It is measured in months or years and may coincide with formal training.

It’s essential to note that ANZSCO evaluates the skill level of occupations, not individuals or specific job roles. Skill level is an attribute of professions independent of an individual’s training, competence, or qualifications.

ANZSCO assigns occupations to one of five skill levels. To ensure accuracy and meaningfulness, input was sought from employers, industry training bodies, professional organisations, and other relevant sources while determining the skill level for each occupation.

How Can We Help You?

As a service provider, we are here to assist you with ANZSCO Skill Level Classifications guidance. At CDR Report Writer, we can provide reliable information and support if you have questions or need clarification regarding skill levels in the ANZSCO classification. 

Whether you want to understand the skill requirements for a specific occupation or need help determining the appropriate skill level, we are here to assist you. 

Our knowledgeable team can explain the criteria to assess skill levels and provide insights into the qualifications, work experience, and training typically associated with each group. We aim to provide clear and concise guidance, ensuring you better understand ANZSCO skill levels and their relevance to your situation.

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