Defining Emerging Design Disciplines

The emerging design sector in Australia is at a pivotal moment. In December 2024, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) published changes to the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA), which elevated designers to their own Minor Group 242 . However, while this marked a significant step forward for the design profession, the emerging disciplines of Service and Strategic Design were not included. Its why the DIA has launched this advocacy campaign and why emerging designers are needed to support the work required to bring about their inclusion in the OSCA design profiles.

    1. DIA Submissions & News articles

    2. DIA Advocacy Resource

    3. Survey and Report

    4. Online Forums

    5. Emergent Design Professions Working Group
      See participants & objectives HERE
      And some of their advocacy work HERE

    6. Draft OSCA Definitions

    1. Preparation for ABS Census 2026 including comms strategy

    2. Research into qualifications for Service and Strategic Design

    3. Consensus on draft emerging designer definitions and task lists.
      Send edits of draft documents above to ceo@design.org.au

    4. Core competencies defined for designers for inclusion of Service and Strategic Design in DIA Accredited Designer program

    5. Establish an DIA Emerging Designer Practice Group

    6. Secure broader stakeholder support from corporate Australia

    7. Submission to ABS for Service and Strategic Designer inclusion in 242 OSCA

  • DIA is keen to establish an Emerging Designer Practice Group within its membership (an category of membership renders applicant as eligible). Practice Groups meet regularly. They hold networking events and learning activities eligible for CPD points. They can be national or state based and are generally discipline specific.

    To join DIA click HERE
    To join the Emerging Designer Practice Group click HERE

  • DIA is researching qualifications available in Australia and globally for the disciplines of Service and Strategic Design. If you can help us with more information about qualification or units within qualifications that cover these emerging disciplines please complete the form HERE

    Currently listings of qualifications include;
    Service Design - Graduate Certificate RMIT

    Strategic Design - Masters QUT
    Strategic Design - Masters UNI of SYDNEY
    Strategic Design Studio UTS

  • OSCA maintenance strategy to be published July 2025.

    CENSUS 2026 (early August)

Watch the latest recording here: Online Session Tues 3 June 2025
Defining Design – Building a Stronger Voice for Emerging Occupations ppt

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

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.