OSCA occupation

OSCA 232336: Historian

Researches, collects and analyses information about the history of human activity, events, cultures and eras, and prepares accounts of findings. This record sits in Social Science and Related Professionals. 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

Researches, collects and analyses information about the history of human activity, events, cultures and eras, and prepares accounts of findings.

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
23 Cultural and Social Professionals
Minor group
232 Social Professionals
Unit group
2323 Social Science and Related Professionals

Tasks

  • Assembles historical data by consulting sources of information such as historical indexes and catalogues, archives, court records, diaries, newspaper files and other materials
  • Organises, authenticates, evaluates and interprets historical, political, sociological, anthropological and linguistic data
  • Undertakes historical and cultural research into human activity, and prepares and presents research findings
  • Writes articles to be published in academic publications such as journals
  • Analyses and interprets historical information to determine its authenticity

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 232336 with related occupations

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

Comparison pointCurrent code232336 Historian232331 Archaeologist232332 Archivist
Official role definitionResearches, collects and analyses information about the history of human activity, events, cultures and eras, and prepares accounts of findings.Studies human activity in the past, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data left behind, which includes artefacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes (the archaeological record).Analyses and documents records, and plans and organises systems and procedures for the safekeeping of records and historically valuable documents.
Skill levelSkill Level 1Skill Level 1Skill Level 1
Key tasks
  • Assembles historical data by consulting sources of information such as historical indexes and catalogues, archives, court records, diaries, newspaper files and other materials
  • Organises, authenticates, evaluates and interprets historical, political, sociological, anthropological and linguistic data
  • Undertakes historical and cultural research into human activity, and prepares and presents research findings
  • Writes articles to be published in academic publications such as journals
  • Cleans, examines, records and preserves archaeological finds and sites
  • Collects, analyses and interprets data from artefacts and archaeological sites
  • Uses methods such as aerial photography and remote sensing techniques to locate archaeological sites
  • Collects information and produces simulations to recreate the way a site or artefact would have looked in the past
  • Evaluates and preserves documents for administrative, historical, technical change management, legal, evidential and other purposes
  • Examines items and arranges examinations to determine condition and authenticity
  • Develops archival systems, indexes, guides and procedures for archival research and for the retention and destruction of records
  • Develops, maintains and implements archive policies and procedures

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 232336 do?

Historian 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

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