How to Get Permanent Residency for External Auditor in Australia

If you’re wondering how to get PR as an External Auditor in Australia, the process involves more than holding an accounting degree. Whether you studied in Australia or overseas, you must ensure your qualification meets local standards, obtain a positive skills assessment, and apply through the correct skilled visa pathway. This guide will help you understand each step clearly.

Required Qualifications to Become an External Auditor in Australia

To work as an External Auditor in Australia under ANZSCO 221213, you must have a qualification that meets both academic and subject coverage requirements.

Australian Qualifications

Applicants with a Bachelor of Accounting or a Commerce or Business degree that includes auditing and accounting subjects will generally meet the requirements for a skills assessment.

Overseas Qualifications

To be eligible, you must hold:

• An overseas tertiary or professional membership qualification that is comparable to at least the level of an Australian Bachelor's Degree (AQF Level 7 or higher), or

• Be a full member in good standing with a recognised professional accounting body listed on the Country Education Profile (CEP)

If you are not a full member of a recognised body, you will need to hold a qualification awarded at AQF Level 7 or higher.

Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) follows the Australian Government’s CEP guidelines to assess overseas qualifications. If your degree lacks certain competencies, you may be eligible to complete CA Foundation exams to meet the requirements for a migration skills assessment.

Core Subject Areas Required for Assessment

To receive a positive skills assessment as an External Auditor, your qualification must cover the following core competency areas:

• Basic Accounting

• Cost and Management Accounting

• Financial Accounting and Reporting

• Financial Management

• Economics

• Business Law (including Corporate Law)

• Statistics

• Auditing and Assurance

Note: Taxation Law is not required for External Auditors.

If your course is not formally accredited, you may need to provide transcripts and detailed subject outlines as part of your application.

Skills Assessment Authorities for External Auditor

Before applying for a skilled visa, you must obtain a positive migration skills assessment from one of the following approved bodies:

CA ANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand)

CA ANZ assesses qualification comparability, subject coverage, and English proficiency. If you are missing certain competencies, you may take CA Foundation exams. Your application is assessed in line with Australian Government CEP guidelines.

CPA Australia

CPA Australia determines whether your qualification meets degree comparability, evaluates your competency coverage, and confirms your English proficiency. CPA also offers a Skilled Employment Assessment if you wish to claim work experience points.

IPA (Institute of Public Accountants)

IPA provides qualification and skilled employment assessments. Your experience must be post-qualification, relevant to ANZSCO 221213, and meet the minimum weekly hour and duration requirements.

Skilled Employment Assessments for Migration Points

If you want to claim additional migration points for skilled employment, your work experience must meet strict criteria. It must:

• Be closely related to the External Auditor occupation (ANZSCO 221213)

• Have been completed within the last ten years

• Be post-qualification, after completing a degree equivalent to AQF Level 7

• Be paid at market rate and continuous for at least 20 hours per week (averages are not accepted)

• Include a minimum of one year of employment in total, with at least three months in each role

  
  

You must hold a successful qualifications assessment outcome before applying for a Skilled Employment Assessment. Assessing bodies will evaluate your work based on the references and documents submitted in your original application. 

Visa Pathways for External Auditor

Once you’ve received a positive skills assessment, the next step is identifying the right visa pathway. External Auditor is listed on both the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Core Skills 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

How to Get PR as an External Auditor in Australia: Book a Consultation

With strong demand across Australia and a relatively low invitation score, External Auditor (221213) is one of the most accessible occupations for skilled migration. By ensuring your qualifications are recognised and, if eligible, claiming points for skilled work experience, you can significantly improve your chances of securing PR.

At RACC, we assist applicants at every stage from understanding course requirements and skills assessments to preparing visa applications. Book a consultation with our team today to start your journey towards Australian permanent residency.

Book Consultation