OSCA occupation

OSCA 244231: Chemist

Studies the chemical and physical properties of substances and identifies their practical uses. Develops and monitors chemical processes to create or improve products in pharmaceutical, manufacturing, agriculture and other industries. This record sits in Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists. Related ANZSIC industry links are included for faster classification cross-checking. Skill level 1 is attached to this occupation record.

Should you use OSCA or ANZSCO?

OSCA 2024 is the current Australian occupation classification for storing, organising and reporting occupation information. Use this OSCA record for current Australian statistical and analytical classification work.

Some migration and administrative programs still specify ANZSCO 2022. Check the exact system named by the agency or form rather than replacing the code automatically.

Check the current ABS guidance on OSCA and ANZSCO use

Official ANZSCO correspondence

Role overview

Studies the chemical and physical properties of substances and identifies their practical uses. Develops and monitors chemical processes to create or improve products in pharmaceutical, manufacturing, agriculture and other industries.

Use this page to confirm the official title, the parent unit group, the task list and the related ANZSIC industry context before using the occupation in classification, reporting or migration-adjacent workflows.

Occupation facts

Skill level
1
Major group
2 Professionals
Sub-major group
24 Design, Engineering and Science Professionals
Minor group
244 Natural and Physical Science Professionals
Unit group
2442 Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists

Tasks

  • Designs and conducts experiments to identify chemical composition, energy and chemical changes in natural substances and processed materials
  • Researches and analyses the chemical composition, properties and structure of matter to develop or improve existing theories, methods and processes
  • Ensures laboratory experiments in chemistry follow protocols and regulations, and meet quality control standards
  • Studies, analyses and tests chemistry research processes for application in product improvement or development
  • May develop and improve products, chemical formulas, methods and processes for use at an industrial scale
  • May study, analyse and model the operations of a chemical plant

Skill level guidance

Skill level helps place the occupation inside the ABS hierarchy. Use it as a classification cue, then check the actual task list and occupational context before making a decision for HR, visa or reporting work.

How to use this occupation page

Start with the official OSCA title and task list. Then confirm the parent unit group and compare the related occupations on this page if the job title is broad, overlapping or used differently across employers.

The ANZSIC links are there to help when the same occupation appears across several industries and you need the business-side classification as well.

Compare before choosing

Compare OSCA 244231 with related occupations

Compare roles in the same OSCA unit group by their official definition, skill level, tasks and recognised alternative titles.

Comparison pointCurrent code244231 Chemist244232 Food Technologist244233 Winemaker
Official role definitionStudies the chemical and physical properties of substances and identifies their practical uses. Develops and monitors chemical processes to create or improve products in pharmaceutical, manufacturing, agriculture and other industries.Analyses, develops and improves methods for the production, processing and preservation of existing and new food products, and sets standards for producing, packaging and marketing food.Plans, supervises and coordinates the production of wine or spirits from selected varieties of grapes.
Skill levelSkill Level 1Skill Level 1Skill Level 1
Key tasks
  • Designs and conducts experiments to identify chemical composition, energy and chemical changes in natural substances and processed materials
  • Researches and analyses the chemical composition, properties and structure of matter to develop or improve existing theories, methods and processes
  • Ensures laboratory experiments in chemistry follow protocols and regulations, and meet quality control standards
  • Studies, analyses and tests chemistry research processes for application in product improvement or development
  • Studies the properties of food to support the development of new products or to improve existing food products
  • Develops, manages and maintains quality systems for food processing
  • Designs and improves food processing and packaging methods to increase efficiency and reduce costs
  • Ensures food safety and quality by testing and analysing samples of raw materials, ingredients and finished products
  • Studies, develops and improves models used in the processing and blending of wine to improve or create new products
  • Tests and monitors the quality of grapes at different stages of production to assess ripeness, sugar and acid content to identify the ideal time for harvesting
  • Liaises with vineyard personnel or contract growers to provide grapes, and advises on how to maintain their integrity for processing
  • Conducts laboratory and taste tests on wine samples to study and improve wine quality
Alternative titlesNot statedNot stated
  • Oenologist

Comparison uses occupation definitions, skill levels, tasks and title variants from the ABS OSCA data files.

Compliance risk score

4 of 4 factors passing

10 / 10
Verified official source
- ABS OSCA occupation record present
Previous edition migration
- OSCA to ANZSCO correspondence attached
Complete hierarchy
- Major, sub-major, minor and unit group links are present
Legacy crosswalk
- Legacy ANZSCO correspondence attached

How we calculate this score →

In this section

Frequently asked questions

What does OSCA 244231 do?

Chemist is the current ABS occupation record used to describe a specific occupation. It sits in the OSCA hierarchy and carries skill-level context plus related titles and tasks.

How should I read the skill level?

The skill level tells you the educational or training depth that the ABS associates with the occupation. It is a classification signal, not a salary band or a qualification checklist on its own.

Why is industry context shown on an occupation page?

Industry context helps when the title is common or ambiguous. It shows where the occupation is typically employed so you can compare it with the right ANZSIC family.

Source and trust

Official source
ABS OSCA 2024 release and correspondence tables
Last reviewed
2026-04-17

This site is an independent reference resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the ABS, ATO or any Australian Government agency.

Please verify critical classification decisions with the official authority before using them for tax, payroll, licensing, immigration or compliance work.

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