Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC)

Current Version: ANZSIC 2006

The Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) 2006 was released in February 2006 and took official effect from 2007 onwards in both countries. Two minor revisions of ANZSIC 2006 have been conducted: ANZSIC 2006 Revision 1.0 (released in 2008) and ANZSIC 2006 Revision 2.0 (released in 2013).

Changes between ANZSIC 1993 and ANZSIC 2006

ANZSIC 2006 was a significant review of ANZSIC 1993 considering the considerable transformation in the economics of Australia and New Zealand since ANZSIC 1993 was released. ANZSIC 2006 increased in size across all classification levels in varying degrees. At the broad level, two new divisions were created resulting in 19 divisions in ANZSIC 2006 compared to 17 in ANZSIC 1993. The Property and Business Services Division in ANZSIC 1993 along with some other service activities was recreated into three new divisions in ANZSIC 2006. Reflecting the emergence of the digital economy in both countries, the ANZSIC 1993 Division J for Communication Services was reconstituted into Division J Information Media and Telecommunications in ANZSIC 2006. At lower levels, 33 new sub-divisions and 56 new Groups were created in ANZSIC 2006. Notable new groups included those for Software Publishing (542) and Pathology and Diagnostic Imaging Services (852). At the finest level of classification, 41 new classes were created in ANZSIC 2006. Several classes in ANZSIC 1993 were merged to form new ones or further split in NAICS 2006 just as class compositions were affected by the creation of new activities in other levels.

ANZSIC 2006 (Revision 1.0)

ANZSIC 2006 (Revision 1.0) was released in 2008. It was a minor revision involving the revision of primary activities in light of emerging industries, the clarification of class definitions to facilitate the implementation of the code by users, and the correction of minor errors and omissions in ANZSIC 2006. For example, the definition of Division F (Wholesale Trade) was slightly amended in the part related to the commission-based buying and selling of goods.

ANZSIC 2006 (Revision 2.0)

ANZSIC 2006 (Revision 2.0) was released in 2013 as another minor revision to ANZSIC 2006. It also clarified class definitions and corrected a few errors noticed in ANZSIC 2006. A prominent change at the class level was the addition of the primary activity "Liquefied natural gas production" to the class 0700 (Oil and Gas Extraction).

Structure of ANZSIC 2006

ANZSIC 2006 is structured hierarchically into four levels of aggregation, as follows:

• Divisions: 19 divisions denoted by English alphabets from A to S. This is the broadest level in ANZSIC 2006. For example, Division G covers "Retail Trade".

• Subdivisions: 86 subdivisions represented by two-digit numeric codes. For example, code 39 covers "Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts Retailing".

• Groups: 214 groups represented by three-digit numeric codes. For example, code 391 covers "Motor Vehicle Retailing".

• Classes: 506 classes represented by four-digit numeric codes. For example, code 3911 covers "Car Retailing".

The table below gives a breakdown of each of the 19 divisions in ANZSIC 2006. The manufacturing division has the highest number of classes with 143, followed by "Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing" with 49, and Retail Trade with 43.

Previous versions

ANZSIC 1993

The Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) was first released in 1993. Jointly developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ), it replaced the Australian Standard Industrial Classification (ASIC) and the New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (NZSIC) which had been in use for many years in both countries. Economic agreements between Australia and New Zealand date back to the 1920s with the statistical agencies of both countries meeting regularly to monitor progress and harmonize statistics where possible. The possibility of adopting a common industrial classification in Australia and New Zealand was first suggested in 1990 while a review of the ASIC by the ABS was ongoing. The use of similar principles in the design of their industrial classification systems meant that both countries were easily able to agree on the process for developing a new system that met the needs of both countries. Industrial classes in ANZSIC 1993 were created following certain principles including homogeneity, economic significance, and alignment with international standards.

Structure of ANZSIC 1993

ANZSIC 1993 was structured hierarchically into four levels of aggregation, as follows:

• Divisions: 17 divisions denoted by English alphabets from A to Q. This was the broadest level in ANZSIC 1993.

• Subdivisions: 53 subdivisions represented by two-digit numeric codes.

• Groups: 158 groups represented by three-digit numeric codes.

• Classes: 456 classes represented by four-digit numeric codes. This was the finest classification level in ANZSIC 1993.

Where is it used?

While ANZSIC was developed for use primarily by the ABS and Stats NZ in organizing national industrial statistics, it also features in the statistical output and database management of other government bodies and private businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Some prominent applications include:

• Tax Administration: The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has developed Business Industry Codes (BIC) by adapting the ANZSIC codes specifically for tax reporting and administration purposes.

• Injury Risk Groupings: The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand uses ANZSIC codes as the basis for its Business Industry Descriptions, which are used to calculate the levy rate applicable to different industries.

• Academic Research: As could be seen in publications in major academic outlets in the region such as the Australian Economic Review and Economic Record, academic researchers apply ANZSIC codes in the analysis of various socioeconomic questions in the two countries.

Upcoming versions

Both the ABS and Stats NZ have recently held public consultations for a review of ANZSIC 2006. However, no date has been revealed for a new version. In Australia, the public consultation, which ran between September and November 2022, sought the views of the interested public on topics such as how ANZSIC is being used, the new ISIC Rev. 5 and its suitability as an alternative for ANZSIC 2006, current challenges with ANZSIC 2006 and what they want for a future ANZSIC. The ABS is considering whether to replace ANZSIC with ISIC Rev. 5 (with or without adaptations) or to review ANZSIC without regard to ISIC Rev 5. In New Zealand, Stats NZ held a similar public consultation between January and April 2024 on the future of ANZSIC in the country. Beyond challenges with classifying emerging technology-related activities and insufficient detail in class descriptions, Stats NZ has noted that the western orientation of both ANZSIC 2006 and ISIC Rev 5 limits their applicability in the New Zealand context. The available categories in both systems do not cover relevant areas in Māori contexts such as its renowned traditional arts and crafts. Should the ABS decide to cease its participation in the management of ANZSIC, Stats NZ identified five options for stakeholders to consider, including the adoption of ISIC. The option to maintain and update ANZSIC 2006 to better capture the current industrial structure of New Zealand received the most support. Stats NZ is currently reviewing responses to the public consultation and engaging with the ABS on the next steps for ANZSIC.

Further resources

Download ANZSIC

• ANZSIC 2006 (Current) - Manual

• ANZSIC 2006 Revision 2.0

• ANZSIC 2006 Revision 1.0

• ANZSIC 1993 - Manual

Other resources

• Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ). Help shape the future of industrial classifications in Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ). Help shape the future of industrial classifications in Aotearoa New Zealand – feedback.

• The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). ACC Levy Guidebook.