This is the last week industry professionals will be given the chance to submit their feedback ahead of a nationwide review into classifications of beauty, dermal and aesthetic occupations.

According to The Aesthetic & Beauty Industry Council (ABIC), “the ANZSCO review is an update and evaluation process of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), aimed at ensuring the classification system accurately reflects current job roles, skills, and labour market needs.”

The Review is said to be a once-in-20-year event in which this industry is directly impacted.

ABIC CEO Stefanie Milla has been the driving force behind cultivating awareness of the ANZSCO Review. Since August, Stefanie has urged professionals from across the sector to submit their feedback.

In a post to Instagram on Monday night, ABIC said it had received 550 submissions so far regarding the ANZSCO Review.

“Getting the ANZSCO review for Beauty, Dermal and Aesthetic Occupations right is crucial because it directly impacts workforce planning, immigration policies, education and training programs, and the alignment of skills with industry needs, in addition to regulation and legislation pertaining to our industry,” Stefanie stated.

Stefanie wrote in an article posted by Professional Beauty last week: “Under the proposed changes, the current classification of a Beauty Therapist (451111) will be split, creating a narrower scope of practice for Beauty Therapists (451112) and introducing a new classification for Dermal Therapists (451113).”

The beauty industry as we know it

ABIC called an emergency virtual meeting a fortnight ago to identify what proposed changes could mean for the industry. ABIC identified:

• The ABS currently only has one occupation listed in our industry.
• The ABS do not currently recognise those with a Beauty Therapy Diploma as having a separate occupation.
• The ABS do not currently recognise Dermal Therapists or Dermal Clinician occupations.

A panel discussion was held at this year’s Beauty Expo, where Stefanie joined industry KOLs and ABIC members Reika Roberts, Matt Williams, Helen Golisano, Karen Meiring De Gonzalez, and Maria Enna-Cocciolone for a discussion on the proposed changes. Joining them was Natalie Turmine, CEO at Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA).

“I have concern for people’s livelihoods if these reforms don’t carry careful consideration,” Karen shared.

“I’m trying to keep up!” Maria admitted. “This industry is triggered by fear. We need to drop the ego.” 

Helen said, “with change, we can expect to be uncomfortable for a while.”

SaCSA is in the process of seeking to update industry-relevant training packages. “For the first time since the 1980s, training and vocational training will be updated,” Natalie explained. “[It will become] more of a ‘choose-your-own-adventure path.” She petitioned for training manuals to be “more flexible, malleable”, stating “the more we know from [industry professionals], the more SaCSA can tailor packages.”

“I welcome this reclassification,” said Helen Golisano. “Girls are training in nails, lashes, and so on, but only ever go on to do skin.” Maria agreed that many of the beauty therapists coming out of schools are, in actual fact, dermal therapists. “Classifying things in a way that recognises skin therapists as such will really help students,” Stefanie added.

“Over-regulation, under-regulation – it’s a double-edge sword. Self-regulation is key,” Stefanie advocated.

For a full summary of proposed changes, visit the ABIC website.

To submit your feedback, fill in this form or email ABIC at info@theabic.org.au.

The ABIC ANZSCO Review Submission is set to be finalised this week. Once all feedback is collated, ABIC is set to release a draft of the NEW ABIC Proposed Abbreviated Occupations Descriptions by the close of this month for comment.

For ongoing updates, follow ABIC on Instagram.

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