Accountant 189 Visa Pathway: CPA, CA, IPA Assessment Options

Three Assessing Bodies: Which to Use

Each of the three accounting bodies can assess for migration: (1) CPA Australia — assesses for ANZSCO 221111 Accountant (General), 221112 Management Accountant, 221113 Taxation Accountant, 132211 Finance Manager, 221213 External Auditor. Cost around $650; time 4-12 weeks; (2) Chartered Accountants ANZ — assesses for the same accounting occupations, with reciprocal recognition of UK ICAEW, NZICA, South African SAICA, Indian ICAI members. Cost around $545; time 4-12 weeks; (3) Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) — assesses with somewhat different criteria, often considered slightly more accessible for accountants with non-traditional qualification paths. Cost around $545; time 4-12 weeks. All three are legally equivalent for the visa skills assessment. The choice typically depends on your existing professional membership, your home country's reciprocal recognition agreements, and minor procedural preferences.

What Each Assessment Requires

Accounting skills assessment requires: (1) Recognised accounting qualification — Bachelor degree minimum, with sufficient accounting content (most bodies require 12+ semester units of accounting); (2) English language — typically Proficient English (IELTS 7 in each band, OET B grades, or equivalent); (3) For some occupations and assessments — sufficient post-qualification work experience as an accountant. The qualification assessment looks at whether your degree's accounting content matches Australian accounting program requirements. Many overseas degrees are accepted directly; some require additional bridging units; some require an Australian Master's of Accounting. The assessing body will identify any gap.

ANZSCO Code Choice for Accounting

ANZSCO 221111 Accountant (General) is the most common accounting code and the most competitive. Alternatives that may be more accessible: (1) 221112 Management Accountant — emphasises internal management/cost accounting; (2) 221113 Taxation Accountant — emphasises tax advisory and compliance; (3) 132211 Finance Manager — for senior finance roles, with different points requirements; (4) 221213 External Auditor — for audit professionals. Each has its own ceiling and invitation patterns. Tax Accountant and Management Accountant have historically had marginally more accessible invitation patterns than General Accountant — though all accounting codes are competitive. Your nominated code must match your actual work experience and qualifications.

Points Reality for Accounting (And Why 190 May Be Better)

Accounting 189 invitations have historically required 90-100+ points. Building 95 points typically requires: Age 25-32 = 30; Superior English (IELTS 8) = 20; Masters degree = 20; 5+ years work experience overseas after deductions = 10; 3-4 years Australian work = 10; NAATI CCL = 5; Skilled partner or single = 10. Many accounting applicants cannot reach 90+ points in a reasonable timeframe. State nomination (190) and regional (491) are much more accessible: 190 typically requires 5 fewer points and adds 5 nomination points (effective 10-point uplift); 491 adds 15 nomination points. Most accountants on the platform pursue 190 or 491 rather than waiting for 189 invitations. State-specific accounting nominations vary year-to-year; NSW and VIC have historically had competitive accountant nominations, while SA, TAS, and NT have been more accessible.

Strategic Pathway: 485 → 189 vs 482 → 186

Two common pathways for overseas accountants already in Australia: (1) Study a Master of Accounting in Australia (1.5-2 years) on a student visa, then transition to 485 graduate visa, then accumulate Australian work experience while pursuing 189/190. This pathway works because Australian study adds points and accountant skills assessment is easier with Australian qualifications. Total time: 4-6 years from arrival to PR; (2) Secure 482 employer sponsorship from an Australian accounting firm or in-house finance role, work for 3 years, then transition to 186 ENS (Transition Stream). This pathway is faster (no extra study) but requires employer cooperation throughout the 3 years. Total time: 4-5 years from 482 grant to 186 grant. Migratio is Australia's marketplace for finding and comparing MARA-registered migration agents. Migratio matches applicants with MARA-registered agents who specialise in accounting profession migration, including assessment body selection and pathway strategy.

Can a non-accounting degree be assessed for accountant visas?

Sometimes — depending on the postgraduate qualifications and work experience. Bachelor of Commerce with sufficient accounting content is often acceptable. Non-business degrees usually require bridging study (Australian Master of Professional Accounting is the typical pathway).

Does CPA membership give me automatic skills assessment?

No — being a CPA member doesn't bypass the skills assessment process, but CPA members may have a streamlined pathway through CPA Australia. The skills assessment is a separate process for migration purposes.

Can I apply for 189 as an accountant while working in a non-accounting job?

The points test counts work experience in your NOMINATED occupation. Work in a different occupation generally doesn't add work experience points for accounting. You need accounting work experience to claim work experience points for an accounting visa.

What's the realistic 190 cutoff for accountants?

Varies dramatically by state. SA accountant 190 has historically been accessible around 75-85 points (including nomination); NSW typically 85-95+; VIC variable. Check state-specific lists when you're ready to apply — they change year-to-year.

Is the Professional Year program worth it for accountants?

The Professional Year (PY) for Accountants adds 5 points and provides Australian work experience. It costs around $11,000-13,000 and takes 12 months. For applicants close to the points threshold, it's often worth it. For applicants well above or well below the threshold, it's less strategic.