ACCOUNTANTS
To work as an accountant in Australia, you will need the relevant undergraduate or post-graduate qualifications, such as an undergraduate degree in accounting or in finance, business or economics with a major in accounting, or a Master of Professional Accounting (especially when your undergraduate is not an accounting-specific degree or major). Your degree must be equivalent to an Australian bachelor's degree. It is recommended to gain CPA (Certified Practising Accountant) or CA (Chartered Accountant) qualifications to work as an accountant in Australia, as this signifies your skill level and competencies. You also must gain a Certificate of Public Practice if you are or intend to be a Principal in your practice (see step 4).
If you are applying for a Visa, please click here.
01
Accreditation of your qualifications and skills assessment
To gain professional recognition in Australia, it is highly recommended that you have your qualifications assessed by a professional accounting body and gain membership with the body. You can do this with one of the following bodies;
-
CPA Australia (CPA)
-
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
-
Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
02
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
CA ANZ has various pathways according to your circumstances. If you are a member of an accounting body in another country, you may be able to apply for membership via reciprocal arrangements.
Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) Members
If you are a member of a body that belongs to the Global Accounting Alliance, you may be able to gain reciprocal membership with CA ANZ. Members of GAA with reciprocal arrangements with CA ANZ include: AICPA - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, ICAEW - The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, CPA Canada - Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (Reciprocity applies to CA, CMA and CGA members), ICAS - The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, CAI - Chartered Accountants Ireland, HKICPA - Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Find out more), and SAICA - The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
If you gained membership with the ACCA through a professional pathway program, you may be eligible to apply for CA ANZ membership. You require 5 years of post-qualification experience.
International Pathway Program
If you are a member of an eligible body, you may be able to gain membership through the International Pathway Program, which includes a three or four-day workshop (online or in-person). Eligible bodies include: the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka). This program costs AUD$1581 + GST for Australian-based applicants. Workshops are scheduled in advance; you will need to apply before the closing date to participate.
The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)
You may be eligible for membership with CA ANZ if you have completed the MICPA x CA ANZ Programme.
Other overseas member bodies
If you are a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ) or the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), you may be eligible for membership with CA ANZ.
Application processes: You will need all or some of the following documents:
-
Letter of good standing outlining your membership with another accounting body, including details of your membership and a statement that your membership was gained via standard examination pathways;
-
evidence of your identity;
-
references from CA ANZ or from the accounting body with reciprocal arrangements;
-
evidence of experience (minimum years required in some circumstances, according to your application pathway)
CA ANZ also conducts migration skills assessments for those applying for a skilled migration visa.
03
CPA Australia Membership
Pathways to be a CPA Member through the completion of the CPA Program:
Membership through other designations: If you hold a designation with a recognised body, you may be able to apply directly for membership with CPA. CPA lists which designations are eligible.
Experience-Based: If you have worked for over 5 years in a relevant profession. The pathway caters for business professionals with both traditional and non-traditional accounting qualifications, while also welcoming applicants with experience in accounting, finance, auditing or consulting roles.
Eligibility:
-
minimum 5 years of recent work experience that demonstrates core competencies,
-
a degree-level qualification or equivalent as recognised by CPA Australia (or will have completed one before advancing to CPA status).
Executive Leadership Pathway: This membership pathway recognises the experience and capabilities of established C-suite and executive managers currently working in the accounting and finance profession.
Eligibility:
-
C-suite/executive leaders with a minimum of 10 years of leadership and work experience in accounting or finance.
-
Minimum of three (3) years in a C-suite/executive management role in accounting or finance. Please note: can be inclusive of the 10-years requirement.
-
A reference/testimonial from a current CPA or International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) member as part of the application process.
-
The general admission criteria of fit and proper, a Public Practice certificate (where required), and supporting documentation.
-
A degree-level qualification or equivalent, as recognised by CPA Australia (or will have completed one before advancing to CPA status).
-
Successfully meet CPA Australia’s admission requirements.
-
Completing the CPA Program subject of Ethics and Governance to advance to CPA status.
Academic Pathway: The academic pathway is for those with academic research and teaching experience.
Eligibility:
-
A PhD or Master's by Research in an accounting or finance discipline.
-
Minimum of 3 years full-time teaching at a Lecturer level or higher in subject(s) that lead to CPA Australia’s accreditation (or equivalent) – including 2 years consecutive teaching within the past 10 years. Eligibility includes being currently employed in an academic role.
-
A reference/testimonial from a current CPA/IFAC member and a letter of support from the Head of your Department/Faculty/School.
Each pathway has an online application process. You will be required to provide documentation such as proof of identity, a degree completion certificate, academic transcripts, and workplace references. You may be eligible to begin the CPA Program straight away, or you may be asked to complete further study, such as the CPA Foundation Program.
Steps to membership with CPA:
-
Provide documentation, including official academic transcripts, evidence of degree completion, and proof of identity. If you are a member of a professional body, you may also provide a letter of good standing outlining your membership. If you are a public practitioner acting as a principal in public practice or undertaking any accounting services in your own right, you will need to upload details of your role and confirmation that you hold a public practice certificate.
04
Institute of Public Accountants
The IPA has various pathways to membership according to your qualifications and experience level. You can apply to be an affiliate, associate, member or fellow.
Affiliate: entry level for bookkeepers and BAS Agents, and can also be an entry point for members looking to become a qualified accountant.
Associate (AIPA): entry level of membership for those with an eligible accounting qualification (a Diploma of Accounting, Advanced Diploma of Accounting, University Degree in Accounting or University Graduate Degree in Accounting) or with an Associate level membership with an alternative International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) level accounting body.
Member (MIPA): this is for more experienced accountants with post-graduate accounting qualifications or for those with a Member-level membership with an alternative IFAC-level accounting body.
Fellow (FIPA): you will have at least 7 consecutive years of tenure as an MIPA or currently maintain a Fellow-level membership with an alternative IFAC-level accounting body.
For Migration services such as qualifications assessments, please see their Migration Assessments page.
Visa Applicants
If you are applying for a visa, you may need a migration skills assessment. You can complete a Skills Assessment through CPA, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, or through the Institute of Public Accountants.
Need-to-know
Estimated Costs
(in AUD)
Estimated Time Commitment
-
CPA Migration Skills Assessment: approximately 20 business days.
-
Time for membership applications, training and assessments varies, depending on your requirements.
English Language Requirements
-
While it is unclear if applications require proof of English Language Proficiency, it is expected that you will require a professional level of English Language to complete any required training or assessment.
Documentation
-
Academic Certificate of Completion (testamur).
-
Resume with relevant experience.
-
Proof of previous membership or registration with an accounting body overseas.
-
Personal identification such as a Passport.
Other Career Options:
If you are unable to gain recognition for your full qualifications, here are some other options for careers you may pursue in Australia;
-
Bookkeeper
-
Payroll officer
-
Accounting Assistant