Moving to Australia as an Accountant

TL;DR

Accountants can migrate to Australia via permanent (189, 190, 491) or temporary (482) visas. One of three accounting bodies assesses you: CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), or the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). Accountants are on MLTSSL but face intense competition. Points requirements for 189 are typically 95+ due to oversupply. State sponsorship (190/491) is limited. Assessment takes 12-20 weeks. IELTS 6.5+ is required. Many accountants pursue employer sponsorship (482) instead.

Visa Options at a Glance

Skills Assessment: Accounting Bodies

Three professional bodies assess accountants in Australia. All are equally valid for visa purposes. Your choice depends on your experience level and qualification type.

CPA Australia (Certified Practicing Accountant)

Largest accounting body. Assesses accountants with CPA-equivalent qualifications or extensive experience (5+ years). Assessment takes 8-14 weeks. Good for broad accounting roles.

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)

Prestigious, slightly stricter assessment. Often preferred by international accountants with strong credentials. Assessment timeline: 10-16 weeks. Strong in audit, taxation, corporate accounting.

Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)

Suits smaller practice accountants, bookkeepers moving into accounting roles. Faster assessment (8-12 weeks). Often lower entry requirements than CPA or CA ANZ.

Which to choose?

If you have an international accounting qualification (ACCA, ACA, CMA), your closest match is:
- ACCA (UK) → CA ANZ or CPA
- ACA (UK) → CA ANZ (direct route)
- CMA (USA) → CPA Australia

If you have experience but no formal qualification, all three accept skilled migration assessments based on documented work experience.

Assessment Pathway

Each body requires:

Accounting qualification (degree or diploma). Professional registration in your home country (if applicable). Evidence of accounting work experience (minimum 3-5 years). Employment contracts, payslips, tax returns proving your role. Reference letters from past employers detailing your responsibilities. English language results (IELTS or equivalent).

Assessment takes 8-16 weeks from submission to decision. Incomplete applications are returned and cause 2-4 week delays. Expedited assessment is not typically available for accountants.

Points and Eligibility

Accountants (ANZSCO 221111, 221112, 221113) are on MLTSSL. However, points competition is brutal.

Points breakdown for a typical accountant:

- Age 25–32: 30 points
- Accounting degree: 15 points
- IELTS 6.5–7.0: 10 points
- 5–8 years work experience: 10 points
- Total: 65 points

This is far below 189 requirements (95+). To reach 189, you'd need:

- IELTS 8.0+ (20 points): +5 extra
- Age 25–32: (already counted)
- 8+ years experience: (already counted)
- Australian qualification or 10 years experience: +15 extra
- Total: 85–95 points

Even then, you're competing with thousands of accountants globally. 189 is extremely difficult.

State sponsorship (190/491):

Most states have filled accountant quotas or deprioritise them. Typical points threshold for 190: 85-90. 491: 90-95. But spots are very limited.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5 is the minimum (Competent English). All components must meet 6.5 minimum. Some states may require 7.0 for state sponsorship.

Alternative tests: Cambridge English, TOEFL, Pearson Test of English (PTE), or OET (for healthcare accountants). Check your target body's accepted tests.

Cost Breakdown

Visa application charges are those in force from 1 July 2026.

Employer-sponsored 482 visas are cheaper and often more realistic for accountants.

Processing Timelines

Skills assessment (CPA/CA ANZ/IPA): 8–16 weeks from complete submission.

Visa application (189/190/491): 8–12 weeks after skills assessment and visa submission. Can extend if additional documents are requested.

Visa application (482/494): 4–6 weeks for employer nominations.

Total pathway: 4–6 months for employment visas. 6–8 months for independent visas.

Where Accountants Are Needed

MLTSSL status: Yes, but severely over-subscribed. Many states have closed accountant sponsorship or have multi-year waiting lists.

State sponsorship demand:

- New South Wales: Closed to most accountants. Occasional spots for specialists (taxation, forensic). Points threshold: 90–100.
- Victoria: Very limited spots. Points threshold: 90–100.
- Queensland: Periodic intake, lower thresholds. Points threshold: 80–90.
- Western Australia: Rare sponsorship. Points threshold: 85–95.
- South Australia: Occasional intake. Points threshold: 80–90.

Check current state lists before investing in assessment. Accountant demand has cooled significantly since 2019.

Country-Specific Starting Points

From India: Indian accountants are numerous. Competition is intense. Many hold CA/CPA qualifications. Budget 12-16 weeks for assessment. See Indian Accountant to Australia.

From South Africa: South African chartered accountants (CA SA) often transition to CA ANZ. Assessment is straightforward. See South African Accountant to Australia.

From the United Kingdom: UK qualified accountants (ACA/ACCA) have direct pathways. Assessment is faster (8-10 weeks).

From Pakistan or other countries: Ensure your degree and experience are well-documented. Assessment takes longer (12-16 weeks).

Common Reasons for Refusal

Skills assessment rejected:

Your accounting qualification doesn't meet Australian standards. Work experience is insufficiently documented (vague job descriptions, weak references). Accounting practice differs significantly from Australian standards and isn't adequately justified. Incomplete documentation or missing employment contracts.

Visa application refused:

IELTS below 6.5 in any component. False information (especially regarding work dates or role). Police clearance issues. Failure to provide proof of skills assessment. Financial capacity not demonstrated.

State sponsorship denied:

State accountant quotas filled (very common). Your points below state threshold. Competing with thousands of similar accountants globally. Working in non-priority accounting area (general accounting vs. taxation/audit).

You can reapply if circumstances change. See Visa Refused? Appeal or Reapply.

The 485 Graduate Route

If you completed an accounting qualification in Australia on a student visa, you can apply for a 485 Graduate Visa after graduation. This gives 18 months (2 years for PhD) to secure permanent visa sponsorship or employer sponsorship.

Realistic Pathways for Accountants

Pathway 1: Employer Sponsorship (482) – Most realistic. Accounting firms sponsor accountants on 482 visas. After 2 years, transition to permanent residency. Timeline: 4-6 weeks for visa grant, then 2+ years on 482 before PR.

Pathway 2: State Sponsorship (190/491) – Limited but possible. Check current state quotas. Requires 85+ points. Timeline: 4–6 months for skills assessment and visa grant.

Pathway 3: 189 Independent – Extremely difficult. Requires 95+ points. Competitive against thousands globally. Unless you're exceptionally strong, don't plan on 189.

Next Steps: Get Professional Advice

Accountant migration is highly competitive and strategy-dependent. A MARA-registered migration agent can:

- Advise on which accounting body suits your profile
- Estimate your realistic points and visa options
- Identify current state sponsorship opportunities
- Guide 482 employer sponsorship if that's your pathway

Start by determining which accounting body to approach (CPA, CA ANZ, or IPA). Check current state sponsorship quotas. Consider employer sponsorship as your primary pathway.

Which accounting body should I use: CPA, CA ANZ, or IPA?

All three assess accountants. CPA Australia and CA ANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand) are most common. IPA (Institute of Public Accountants) suits smaller practice accountants. Choice doesn't affect visa prospects.

How long does accounting skills assessment take?

8-16 weeks depending on your application completeness. Additional experience verification can add 2-4 weeks.

What's the realistic points requirement for 189?

Typically 95-100 points due to intense competition. Most accountants use state sponsorship (190/491) instead.

Is accounting experience in a non-Big Four firm recognised?

Yes, all types of accounting experience count. Small practice, corporate, government, non-profit—all are assessed. Quality documentation matters more than firm size.

Can I get state sponsorship as an accountant?

Yes, but spots are limited and competitive. Most states deprioritise accountants due to high migration numbers. Check current state quotas carefully.