How to Get Permanent Residency for Accountant (General) in Australia

If you’re wondering how to become an accountant in Australia, the process involves more than just completing a degree. Whether you’ve studied locally or overseas, you must ensure your qualifications meet national standards, obtain a skills assessment, and apply through the right visa channel. This guide will help you understand each step clearly.

Required Qualifications to Become an Accountant in Australia

To work as an accountant in Australia, you’ll generally need a formal qualification in Accounting, Commerce, or Business. The level and structure of your degree will impact your eligibility for a migration skills assessment.

Australian Qualifications

Most applicants complete a Bachelor of Accounting, or a Commerce/Business degree with a major in accounting. A Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) is commonly accepted if your previous study was in another field.

Overseas Qualifications

If you studied overseas, your degree must be assessed as comparable to an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher (AQF Level 7 or above). Your course must also include core subject areas such as:

• Financial Accounting

• Management Accounting

• Economics

• Business Law

• Finance

• Quantitative Methods

If your course is not already accredited, you may need to submit transcripts and detailed subject outlines.

Skills Assessment Bodies for Accountant (General)

Before applying for a skilled migration visa, you must receive a positive skills assessment from a recognised authority. For Accountant (General) ANZSCO 221111, there are three approved assessing bodies in Australia.

CPA Australia (CPA)

CPA Australia evaluates the comparability of your degree, assesses your accounting subject coverage, and confirms your English language proficiency. CPA also offers a Skilled Employment Assessment if you wish to claim additional points based on your work experience.

Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ)

CA ANZ uses Country Education Profile (CEP) guidelines to assess overseas qualifications. If your degree is missing any core competencies, you may be able to complete CA Foundation exams to meet the eligibility criteria for migration.

Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)

The IPA provides qualification assessments and, like CPA, offers a Skilled Employment Assessment if you have at least 12 months of paid, post-qualification experience. The experience must be continuous, relevant to the ANZSCO code, and conducted at 20 hours per week or more.

English Language Requirement

In addition to meeting academic criteria, all assessing bodies require you to demonstrate English language proficiency. This is a core requirement for both skills assessments and visa applications.

Most applicants will need an IELTS score of 7.0 in each band. Alternatively, equivalent scores from the PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge English Advanced tests are also accepted.

Do You Need Work Experience to Apply?

You do not need work experience for the initial skills assessment, whether you studied in Australia or overseas. A qualifications assessment can be completed based on your academic background alone.

However, if you wish to claim additional points for skilled migration, a Skilled Employment Assessment is required. This applies if you’ve worked in a paid, post-qualification accounting role for at least 12 months, at a minimum of 20 hours per week, within the past 10 years.

Visa Pathways for Accountant (General)

Once you’ve received a positive skills assessment, the next step is identifying the right visa pathway. Accountant (General) is listed on both the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Combined Skilled Occupation List (CSOL).

These lists make you eligible for a broad range of skilled and employer-sponsored visas:

Skilled Migration Visas

• Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa

• Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa

• Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

Employer-Sponsored Visas

• Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand Visa

• Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme

• Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)

• Subclass 407 – Training Visa

State Nomination for Accountants

Several Australian states actively nominate accountants through the 190 and 491 visa programs. These nominations can significantly boost your chance of receiving an invitation.

States such as New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia regularly include Accountant (General) in their migration intake. Factors that improve your eligibility include:

• High English test scores

• Study completed in Australia

• Regional study or employment

• Skilled work experience in the accounting field

Application Process Summary

The pathway to becoming an accountant in Australia follows a step-by-step process. While each applicant’s situation is different, the typical stages are:

1. Choose a recognised or accredited accounting course

2. Complete your qualification and meet English test requirements

3. Apply for a skills assessment from CPA, CA ANZ, or IPA

4. Submit additional documents for employment assessment (optional)

5. Calculate your migration points and identify suitable visa options

6. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and seek state nomination if required

7. Lodge your visa application once invited

   
   

How to Become an Accountant in Australia: Book a Consultation

If you’re serious about becoming an accountant in Australia, now is the time to get expert guidance on your education, skills assessment, and visa strategy. At RACC Australia we’ve helped thousands of students and skilled professionals move forward with confidence.

Our registered migration team can help you plan the right pathway, whether you're studying now, assessing your overseas qualification, or preparing to lodge a visa. Book a consultation today and let us help you take the next step.

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