Response to the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) 2027 Consultation Draft

How mental health roles are classified shapes how governments plan, fund and grow the workforce.

The OSCA 2027 consultation draft reflects several recommendations from QAMH’s April 2026 submission. QAMH welcomes the proposed higher skill level for Mental Health Worker, the addition of Community Mental Health Worker as an alternative title, and stronger recognition of lived experience peer work. However, peer work remains classified only as a specialisation.

This second submission focuses on changes still needed. QAMH recommends:

• updating the task list to better reflect recovery-oriented, community-based psychosocial support
• creating distinct occupation codes for Lived Experience Mental Health Peer Worker and Mental Health Team Leader
• changing the proposed First Nations specialisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing Worker and ensuring it is developed in genuine partnership with First Nations communities and organisations.

These changes would help governments and the sector properly recognise, count and plan these essential workforces.

Read the Full Submission Here>