Make Your Occupation Count This Census Night

Census night is Tuesday 11 August 2026 — and for the first time, the outdoor sector will truly be counted.

For years, outdoor leaders, guides and instructors have been invisible in Australia's national workforce data. When Census forms asked what we did for a living, our answers were swept into generic categories that told governments nothing about who we are or how many of us there are.

That changes this year. The 2026 Census is the first coded to the new Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA 2024), which finally recognises occupations like Outdoor Adventure Leader or Guide (462438). This is a big deal. Census occupation data drives government decisions on funding, training investment, skills lists and workforce planning. If our sector shows up clearly in the data, we have evidence to advocate with. If we describe our roles vaguely, we disappear all over again.

Your words decide your code

The Census form never asks for a code. It asks two things about your main job in the week before Census night: your occupation title, and the main tasks you usually do. ABS coders then match your exact words to a 6-digit OSCA occupation. The words you write decide the code you get — so precision matters.

Write "Guide", "Manager" or "Coach" on its own and you'll fall into a catch-all "not elsewhere classified" code. Write "Outdoor Adventure Leader" or "Rock Climbing Instructor" and you'll be counted where you belong.

Getting it right

If you're an outdoor leader, guide or instructor, use titles like *Outdoor Adventure Leader*, *Outdoor Recreation Instructor*, *Bushwalking or Trekking Guide*, *Rock Climbing Instructor* or *Fishing Guide*.

Activity-specific instructors should name the activity — *Swimming Instructor*, *Snowsport Instructor*, *Diving Instructor – Open Water*, *Horse Riding Coach*, *Canoe Coach*.

Administrators at peak bodies, clubs and associations should write *Sports Administrator*; venue managers, *Sports Centre Manager* or *Outdoor Recreation Centre Manager*; and chief executives, *Chief Executive Officer* or *General Manager* with their industry added — for example, "CEO – outdoor recreation organisation".

When describing your main tasks, use OSCA's own language: "lead and supervise participants in outdoor adventure activities; instruct in equipment and techniques; manage group safety and risk." And answer for the job you worked the most hours in last week, even if it's seasonal or part-time.

Avoid internal titles, levels and acronyms — "Team Leader Grade 3", "Activity staff" and "Program Coordinator" mean nothing to a Census coder.

A good answer looks like this:

Occupation: Outdoor Adventure Leader

Main tasks: Leading and instructing groups in outdoor adventure activities (bushwalking, abseiling, canoeing); managing participant safety and risk; setting up and maintaining outdoor equipment.

Before Census night

Look up your exact title by searching the OSCA classification (OSCA 2024 v1.0) at https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/classifications/osca-occupation-standard-classification-australia/2024-version-1-0/classifying-and-coding-job-occupation

Occupation data from this Census will be released from October 2027 — and what it shows will shape how governments see our industry for years to come.

On 11 August, take the extra thirty seconds to be specific. Make your occupation count.

Census_2026_OSCA_Guide_for_Leaders.pdf

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