Make Design Count

Make Design Count

The Design Institute of Australia is leading a national advocacy initiative to inform a significant government consultation that will influence how design professions are formally recognised and valued in Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is reviewing how design occupations are defined within the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA), the nation’s official occupational framework. The outcome will shape how designers are recognised, measured and valued for years to come. By sharing your experience and participating in this survey, you will help build a robust and contemporary picture of design practice in Australia across disciplines, industries and career stages. SURVEY TIME : Approximately 15 minutes | DEADLINE: 9 March 2026
The survey is voluntary. Providing your name and email is optional - if you'd prefer to respond anonymously, you can do so.

The survey is structured in three parts:

Section 1: Your background, qualifications and employment context
Section 2: How well current OSCA occupation titles and descriptions reflect your design practice
Section 3: How well current OSCA task lists reflect your design competencies

Responses will be aggregated and de-identified for the DIA's advocacy submissions to the ABS and related government stakeholders. Your details will be handled in accordance with DIA's privacy obligations and will not be shared.
Would you like to provide your name and email?*

I'd like to provide my detailsI'd prefer to respond anonymously
Full name*

First NameLast Name
Email address*
example@example.com
Are you a member of the Design Institute of Australia? Note: All responses, whether from members or non‑members, are equally valued and will be considered in the aggregate.*

YesNoPlease send me information (make sure you've provided your name and email above)
By proceeding, you consent to DIA using your anonymised responses for advocacy and policy purposes.

Closing
What is your sex recorded at birth? (This question follows ABS standards)*

MaleFemaleAnother term (please specify)
Please specify:*
This field appears if 'Another term (please specify)' is selected
What is your age range?*
What is your postcode?*
Would you be willing to be contacted for a follow-up interview about your professional design practice?

YesNo thank you
Please provide your email address so we can get in touch for a follow-up interview.
example@example.com
Thank you - we'll use the email you provided at the start to get in touch.
Should be Empty:

Rows	Not Relevant	Somewhat Relevant	Relevant	Very Relevant	Essential
Design Problem Identification The ability to critically examine a brief or situation, reframe assumptions, and define the underlying problem space in ways that open up productive design directions.
Design Research and Contextual Inquiry The ability to plan and conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative research, synthesising human, systemic and environmental insights to inform design directions.
Concept Development and Design Ideation The ability to creatively generate and strategically explore a range of design directions, iteratively evaluating and refining concepts against organisational, user and contextual goals.
Collaborative Practice The ability to communicate, negotiate, and build trust across diverse disciplines and stakeholder groups, bridging different perspectives and fostering productive working relationships that strengthen the quality and impact of design work.
Design Elements and Principles The ability to deliberately employ form, colour, material, and space alongside sensory qualities such as texture, sound, and light, using the principles of design to embody meaning, guide experience and achieve considered aesthetic outcomes.
Communication and Presentation The ability to present and articulate design work compellingly to clients, stakeholders, and non-design audiences, translating complex design thinking into clear, persuasive narratives that build understanding and confidence in design decisions.
Prototyping and Visualisation The ability to represent design concepts at appropriate levels of fidelity, using visualisation, modelling, and prototyping to test ideas, surface insights and communicate intent to diverse audiences.
Design Specification The ability to translate resolved design concepts into precise, technically accurate documentation, including drawings, schedules, and material specifications, that communicate design intent clearly to contractors, manufacturers, and other delivery partners.
Digital and Technological Fluency The ability to navigate an evolving technological landscape, selecting and applying digital tools, platforms, and emerging technologies to support, enhance and advance design practice.
Project and Process Management The ability to plan, scope, and manage design projects through to delivery, balancing time, resources, and competing priorities while maintaining design integrity and meeting client and stakeholder expectations.
Design Evaluation and Testing The ability to assess design outcomes against their intended goals through critique, user testing, post-occupancy evaluation, or other evaluative methods, generating insights that inform current and future practice.
Ethical and Sustainable Practice The ability to practise design with integrity, critically considering ethical, cultural and contextually informed responsibilities and advocating for outcomes that are equitable, sustainable, and respectful.

By proceeding, you consent to DIA using your anonymised responses for advocacy and policy purposes.

Section 1: Design Qualifications, Experience and Employment

Section 2: OSCA 242 Design Professionals: Classifications

Section 3: OSCA 242 Design Professionals: Main Tasks

Closing