Define Design

Boosting Designers’ Economic Role: Responding to the Draft ANZSCO Changes

The design sector in Australia is at a pivotal moment. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its draft changes to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), and these revisions mark a significant step forward for our sector. However, while there are positive developments, there is a critical omission that we must address—one that will have beneficial impact on the visibility of emergent design occupations.

  • The draft ANZSCO changes include several promising updates for the design sector:

    1. Design as a Standalone Professional Category

      For the first time, design is recognised as its own professional category (as a minor group). This is a monumental shift that acknowledges the unique and vital role design plays across various sectors. By establishing design as a distinct profession, we are better positioned to advocate for our sector, ensure that educational pathways are geared towards appropriate skill development, and enable promotion of the various roles our talented designers fill in Australia’s industry, government and NGO sectors. 

    2. Integration of Digital & UX Design

      Digital and UX design, previously categorised under IT professions, have now been rightly brought into the design category. This change reflects the evolving nature of these roles and their intrinsic connection to the design process. It also highlights the growing recognition of the importance of user experience in product and service development.

    3. Elevated Status of Interior Design

      Interior Design has seen its skill levels elevated back to Level 1, underscoring the complexity and expertise required in this field. This change not only raises the profile of interior designers but also ensures that their contributions are valued on par with other high-skill design professions.

    4. Updated Skills Lists

      The skills lists for various design professions have been updated to reflect contemporary work practices. These updates ensure that the ANZSCO classifications remain relevant and that they accurately represent the skills and expertise required in today’s design landscape.

  • While these changes are undoubtedly positive, there is one glaring omission—Strategic Design, Service Design, and related disciplines have not yet been included in the updated classifications. This oversight is concerning, as these fields are not only growing rapidly but are also increasingly vital to the success of businesses and the public sector alike.

    Strategic Design and Service Design focus on creating systems and processes that enhance user experiences, improve service delivery, and drive organisational change. They are essential in sectors such as healthcare, government, finance, and more. By not including these professions in the ANZSCO updates, we risk underestimating their importance and missing an opportunity to position Australia as a leader in these emerging fields.

    They’re not yet included in ANZSCO because there is insufficient formal data (from the ABS census) to demonstrate that there are more than 300 people working in these roles in Australia.

    We now have an opportunity to gather the evidence and let the ABS know there’s more than 300 Strategic and Service (and other related fields) Designers in Australia!

  • The ABS has given us until 6 September to respond to the draft ANZSCO changes, and we must act now. To have Strategic Design, Service Design, and other related disciplines included, we need to present compelling evidence that these professions are not only established but also growing, with an estimated 300 to 10,000 professionals working in these fields across Australia.

    We urge all stakeholders—design professionals, industry leaders, educators, and policymakers—to rally together and champion the inclusion of these critical disciplines. Here’s how you can help:

    • Provide Evidence: If you work in Strategic Design, Service Design, or a related field, share data about your role, your contributions, and the impact of your work. This evidence is crucial to making a strong case for inclusion, and you can contribute to the DIA submission to the ABS by providing your story here.

    • Highlight Their Importance: We need to articulate why these disciplines are important to the Australian economy and social fabric. These roles are not just about aesthetics or functionality; they are about creating value, improving efficiency, and enhancing the quality of life for all Australians. If you would like to discuss your thoughts on this directly with our working group, please email us at ceo@design.org.au and we will be in touch.

    • Engage with the Process: To increase the volume of your contributions to this campaign, you can also submit your feedback directly to the ABS before the 6 September deadline. Your input can help shape the future of the design profession in Australia.

  • The draft ANZSCO changes represent both progress and a challenge for the Australian design sector. While we celebrate the recognition of design as a standalone profession and the inclusion of Digital, UX, and uplift of Interior Design, we must also address the critical omission of Strategic and Service Design and related professions. Together, we can ensure that the ANZSCO classifications fully reflect the breadth and depth of our profession.

    Let’s seize this opportunity to shape the future of design in Australia. Make your voice heard, and let’s champion the inclusion of all design disciplines in the ANZSCO updates.

Watch the Define Design Forum recording here:

Table 1 - Design professions currently listed in ANZSCO

Table 2 - Proposed Updated Occupation Listings in ANZSCO (highlighted text indicates new or moved/changed professions)

By participating, you’ll play a vital role in influencing how design professions are classified and recognised in Australia. Together, we can ensure that the ANZSCO revisions accurately represent the skills and contributions of designers across all domains.

The Working Group was established by the DIA and is reporting to the CEO, Jo Kellock. It is chaired by Dr Laura Kostanski, and members include Simon Goodrich and David Robertson AM.