Accounting is one of the most popular occupations for Australian skilled migration — and one of the most competitive. While accountants remain on the MLTSSL with full visa access, the sheer volume of accounting applicants worldwide means you need a high points score and a strong strategy. This guide covers the assessment process, competition challenges, and practical advice for making your accounting migration work.
Quick Facts: Accounting Migration Pathway
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Key ANZSCO Codes | 221111 (Accountant General), 221112 (Management Accountant), 221113 (Taxation Accountant) |
| Skills Assessment | CPA Australia, CA ANZ, or IPA |
| Occupation List | All three codes: MLTSSL and CSOL (Home Affairs occupation list) |
| Visa Options | All three codes: 189, 190, 491, 494, 482 (Core Skills stream), 186 (Direct Entry) and 485 |
| Competition Level | Very high — many applicants, high points required |
| Typical 189 Score | 85-95+ points |
| Professional Year | Available, adds 5 points |
The Competition Challenge
Let's address this upfront: accounting is one of the most competitive occupations in the skilled migration program. Here's why:
- High graduate numbers: Accounting is one of the most popular courses for international students in Australia
- Global applicant pool: Accountants from India, China, Vietnam, and many other countries all compete for limited places
- Points inflation: Competition has pushed effective invitation scores to 85-95+ for the subclass 189
- Invitation delays: Even with high points, waits for invitation can be months long
This doesn't mean accounting migration is impossible — it means you need a strategy.
Skills Assessment: Three Bodies, One Purpose
Three professional bodies are authorised to assess accounting qualifications for migration:
CPA Australia
- Assesses against 12 core knowledge areas
- Requires a bachelor's degree or higher with prescribed accounting subjects
- Fees: CPA Australia lists a qualification assessment at $565 onshore or $514 offshore
- Processing: check the current time on the CPA Australia migration assessment page
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
- Similar assessment criteria to CPA
- Evaluates qualifications against prescribed subject requirements
- Processing: check the current time on the CA ANZ website
Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
- Provides the same migration skills assessment as CPA and CA ANZ
- Often chosen by applicants who prefer their assessment approach
- Processing: check the current time on the IPA website
Which Body Should You Choose?
For migration assessment purposes, all three provide equivalent outcomes. Your choice may depend on:
- Which body your existing qualifications best align with
- Whether you plan to pursue professional membership later
- Fees and processing times (compare at the time of application)
Assessment Requirements
All three bodies require:
- A bachelor's degree or higher
- Completion of prescribed core knowledge areas (typically 12 subject areas)
- If your degree doesn't cover all 12 areas, you may need to complete additional bridging subjects
The 12 Core Knowledge Areas
The prescribed areas typically include:
- Accounting Systems and Processes
- Financial Accounting
- Management Accounting
- Auditing and Assurance
- Finance and Financial Management
- Business Law/Commercial Law
- Economics
- Quantitative Methods/Statistics
- Information Systems
- Taxation Law
- Company Law/Corporate Law
- Professional Ethics/Governance
If your degree doesn't cover all areas, you can complete bridging courses through Australian institutions to fill the gaps.
The Professional Year
The Accounting Professional Year is a structured program specifically designed for accounting graduates in Australia. To earn points, it must be completed over a period of at least 12 months. It includes:
- Formal learning components (accounting concepts and Australian professional standards)
- A 12-week internship with an Australian employer
- Workplace readiness training
Why the Professional Year Matters
- Adds 5 points to your SkillSelect score. The Home Affairs points table only gives these points if the Professional Year was in your nominated or a closely related occupation, was completed over a period of at least 12 months, and was completed in Australia in the four years before your invitation
- Provides Australian work experience
- Helps you understand Australian business practices
- Improves employment prospects
Who Should Do It
If you're an international accounting graduate in Australia on a post-study work visa, the Professional Year is almost essential for competitiveness. The 5 additional points can make the difference at the high end of the points scale.
Points Strategy for Accountants
Given the high competition, every point matters:
| Factor | Strategy | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age (25-32) | Apply while in optimal age range | 30 |
| English (Superior) | IELTS 8 in each band, or equivalent | 20 |
| Qualifications (Bachelor or Master's) | A Master's scores the same as a Bachelor | 15 |
| Australian study requirement | At least one Australian degree, diploma or trade qualification that meets the requirement | 5 |
| Professional Year | Complete a Professional Year over at least 12 months | 5 |
| Australian experience (1 year) | Work during post-study period | 5 |
| Overseas experience (3-4 years) | Pre-migration experience | 5 |
| State nomination (190) | Target accessible states | 5 |
| Regional (491) | Consider regional areas | 15 |
Realistic Target: 85-95 Points
Most successful accounting 189 applicants score 85-95+. To reach this, you typically need Superior English, optimal age, a degree, and either Professional Year or significant work experience. On the Home Affairs points table, a Master's degree earns 15 points, the same as a Bachelor degree. A Doctorate earns 20.
Alternative Strategies
State Nomination (190/491)
If your 189 score isn't competitive, state nomination can be your pathway:
- South Australia and Tasmania may nominate accountants at lower thresholds
- Regional areas often have accountant shortages even when metro areas don't
- The 491 with 15 bonus points can make an 80-point applicant competitive
Employer Sponsorship (482/186)
Finding an employer willing to sponsor you can bypass the points system entirely:
- Regional accounting firms often struggle to recruit
- The subclass 482 Core Skills stream can lead to permanent residence through the 186. Home Affairs says you usually need to have worked in eligible sponsored employment full-time for at least two years
- No points test required
Home Affairs also lists all three codes for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa (AUD6,140 for the main applicant), an employer-sponsored regional visa.
Check the caveats before you approach a small firm. For the 482 and the 186 Direct Entry stream, the Home Affairs occupation list excludes clerical, bookkeeping or accounting clerk positions. It also excludes positions in a business with an annual turnover under AUD1,000,000 or fewer than 5 employees.
Tax Agent Registration
Consider pursuing registration as a Tax Agent with the Tax Practitioners Board. This can enhance your employability and may strengthen nomination applications.
The Skill Year Requirement
Some assessing bodies require a "skill year" — a period of supervised accounting practice — as part of their assessment for certain purposes. This typically involves working in a supervised accounting role for 12 months. The Professional Year can satisfy this requirement for some pathways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is accounting still on the skilled occupation list?
Yes. Accountant (General) 221111, Management Accountant 221112, and Taxation Accountant 221113 are all on the MLTSSL and the CSOL. Home Affairs lists each of them for the 189, 190, 491, 494, 482 and 186. However, competition is very high.
How many points do I really need for a 189 invitation?
Realistically, 85-95+ points for most invitation rounds. The minimum pass mark is 65, but invitation thresholds are much higher for accounting due to the number of applicants.
Should I choose CPA, CA, or IPA for my assessment?
For migration skills assessment, the outcome is equivalent from all three. Choose based on your qualifications' alignment, fees, and whether you plan to pursue professional membership later.
Is the Professional Year mandatory?
No, but it's strongly recommended for accounting graduates in Australia. The 5 bonus points and work experience can be the difference between receiving an invitation and waiting indefinitely.
Can I work as an accountant in Australia without local experience?
Legally, yes (with the right visa). Practically, employers strongly prefer candidates with Australian experience, knowledge of Australian tax law (PAYG, GST, BAS), and Australian accounting software (Xero, MYOB). The Professional Year and internship help bridge this gap.
Should I consider a different occupation?
If your qualifications also support assessment under a less competitive ANZSCO code (such as Financial Investment Adviser, Auditor, or Management Consultant), it may be worth exploring. Check each code's own row first. Financial Investment Adviser (222311) is on the STSOL and the CSOL, so Home Affairs does not list it for the 189. External Auditor (221213) and Management Consultant (224711) are on the MLTSSL and the CSOL. For the 482 and 186, Management Consultant uses the ANZSCO 2022 code 224713. Consult with a migration agent to discuss options.
