Australian Visa Options For Accountants

In this article, we take a look at how accountants are classified and defined in Australia for migration purposes and the accountant visa Australia options that are available, including accountant PR Australia pathways. This includes General Skilled Migration (GSM) points-tested visas which require you to attain at least 65 accounting points for PR in Australia to qualify.

Before we discuss the potential visa options for accountant immigration Australia, we first introduce you to some of the key elements that you need to consider when assessing your eligibility for a skilled accountant visa Australia.

What You Need To Know Before You Apply For A Skilled Accountant Visa Australia

Skilled Occupation List

A key component in determining your eligibility for a skilled accountant visa Australia is based on whether the occupation of accountant is included on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for the relevant skilled visa being considered.

It is important to be aware that each skilled visa subclass is subject to a specified SOL, which is designed to respond to skill shortages in various industries and regions across Australia. As labour markets change, so too do the relevant SOLs to reflect pertaining market conditions. It is therefore vital if you are seeking to apply for a skilled accountant visa Australia, that you apply the correct and most up-to-date SOL in assessing your eligibility for accountant migration Australia.

Targeted Approach

Certain skilled visa options go one step further by targeting skills shortages in certain geographical areas (including in regional Australia). Employers can also sponsor or nominate suitably skilled applicants to fill vacancies in individual businesses, thereby addressing an employer-specific need. An example of an accountant sponsorship Australia visa is an employer sponsored Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa for accountant immigration Australia.

There are several skilled accountant visa Australia options available for accountant migration Australia, with each one designed to meet a specific purpose.

These comprise an independent, state sponsored, regional employer, state or family sponsored, employer sponsored and employer nominated skilled visas as well as a training and temporary graduate skilled visa.

Here are some examples:

A Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is an example of a regional state or family accountant sponsorship Australia skilled visa.

While a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR) visa is a regional employer-sponsored visa for accountant immigration Australia.

And an employer nominated accountant PR Australia visa option for accountant migration Australia is the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.

Each skilled visa subclass is subject to a prescribed set of visa lodgement and grant requirements, a key part of which is the relevant SOL which prescribes the selected skilled occupations which may be nominated for that visa subclass.

Nominating An Accountant On The Skilled Occupation List

Different SOLs apply to each skilled visa subclass. For example, the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which is a temporary employer sponsored visa, is subject to a Short‑term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), a Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and a Regional Occupation List (ROL). The skilled occupation list that applies to an occupation determines whether it may be nominated under the short-term or medium-term stream of the subclass 482 visa program. There is also a labour agreement stream which applies where the sponsoring employer has a labour agreement in place, and that agreement specifies the occupation/s that may be nominated for a TSS visa.

The occupation of accountant is included on the MLTSSL, and so may be nominated by an employer for a TSS visa under the medium-term stream. It also provides an accountant PR Australia pathway after two years via the Subclass 186 ENS visa (this is discussed further below).

Caveats

Certain occupations that may be nominated for a TSS visa are also subject to a caveat. This means if specified circumstances are present in regard to the position that the employer is seeking to fill, then the occupation is not eligible for nomination. To illustrate, the occupation of an Accountant is included on the MLTSSL for the subclass 482 visa, and so may be nominated for a TSS visa (under the medium-term stream) subject to the following caveats (or conditions):

• excludes positions that are in a business that has fewer than five employees;
• excludes positions that are in a business that has an annual turnover of less than $1M; and
• excludes clerical, bookkeeper or accounting clerk positions.

Nominating An Accountant Under A Labour Agreement

A labour agreement is negotiated between the Australian Government (represented by the Department of Home Affairs) and employers who seek to sponsor overseas workers for their business.

Labour agreements allow approved businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers when there is a demonstrated need that cannot be met in the Australian labour market and the standard temporary or permanent visa programs are not available (for example, the occupation which the employer is seeking to nominate is not included on the SOL for the TSS, SESR or ENS visa programs).

One of the main benefits of entering into a labour agreement is its flexibility as it enables an employer to negotiate terms that meet the needs of the business (different types of agreements allow for varying levels of flexibility). This means that an employer may be able to negotiate certain concessions to the skilled visa criteria that would normally apply under the standard employer sponsored visa grant requirements. This can include requirements relating to English language competency, salary and age thresholds. A labour agreement can also be used to employ overseas workers in new or emerging occupations that are not defined in the ANZSCO.

Under a labour agreement, an employer can sponsor or nominate suitably skilled overseas workers for an employer sponsored skilled accountant visa Australia in accordance with the terms which have been negotiated with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) in the executed labour agreement (different types of agreements allow for varying levels of flexibility).

There are five types of Labour Agreements, which are as follows:

• Company specific labour agreements
• Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
• Project agreements
• Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreements
• Industry labour agreements

To learn more about labour agreements, including the different types of labour agreements and how they work, please refer to our article on a Labour Agreement Visa.

Skills Assessment

To be deemed ‘suitably qualified’ for a nominated occupation under the skilled visa program, applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess a minimum level of skills, qualifications and/or employment experience as prescribed by the migration provisions for the relevant skilled visa class which is being applied for. This may include the requirement that an applicant obtains a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation (to be completed by a specified skills assessing body). The skills assessment must be within the accepted validity date (which is normally either three years from the date of issue, or on a date earlier if specified in the skills assessment).

It must also be the correct type of skills assessment. Applicants must have a skills assessment that meets the requirements for the visa for which they are applying. For example, some assessing authorities offer a provisional skills assessment for recent graduates of Australian educational institutions who are applying for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa. A provisional skills assessment issued for this purpose is not a suitable skills assessment for a permanent residence skilled visa application, for example.

In some cases, more than one assessment body is prescribed. This applies to accountants, as you will see below.

Skills Assessments For Accountants

The following skill assessing bodies are prescribed for accounting and finance occupations in Australia:

• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ);
• CPA Australia;
• Institute of Public Accountants; and
• Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS).

We provide further information about the skills assessment requirements for accountants and finance professionals in our discussion further below in this article.

English Language

English language criteria also apply, which may require applicants to complete a prescribed English language test and achieve a specified minimum test score (there are exemptions in certain cases). Be aware that English test results are valid for a limited period (depending on the class of visa being applied for and the level of English competency required).

Which Skilled Visa Options Are There For Accountant Immigration Australia, Including Accounant PR Australia?

Before we take a detailed look at how accounting occupations are defined for accountant migration Australia purposes, including what is required to qualify for accountant PR Australia, we begin our discussion with an introduction of the main types of skilled visas that are available for accountant migration Australia. We also provide links to further information on these visa options at the conclusion of this article.

Training Visa

The Subclass 407 training visa is a temporary sponsored visa which is designed to help you to improve your skills in your current occupation, area of tertiary study, or to participate in a professional development training program in Australia. The subclass 407 visa is not suitable for applicants whose sole purpose is to perform work in Australia but rather, to engage in workplace-based training.

One of the subclass 407 visa requirements is that you need to be sponsored by an Australian organisation or government agency (including a foreign government). You must also be nominated for the subclass 407 visa (unless your sponsor is a Commonwealth Government agency, in which case you will need to be invited in writing). You need to select from one of three nomination types, depending on the purpose or type of training which you seek to undertake. Each nomination type has specified requirements, one of which requires your occupation to be included on a subclass 407 training visa skilled occupation list.

The subclass 407 visa can be granted for a period of up to two years and permits unrestricted travel to and from Australia for the duration of the visa. You can also include certain members of your family unit as dependent visa applicants, allowing them to accompany you to Australia.

Nomination Type 2: Occupational Training To Enhance Skills

Nomination type 2 requires the occupational training to be a structured workplace-based training program which is designed to meet your training needs, as the nominee.

The occupation of accountant is included on the skilled occupation list for the subclass 407 training visa, which means that as an accountant, you may be nominated for this visa provided that you have at least 12 months full-time employment experience as an accountant (in the two years immediately before lodgement of the application) to qualify under nomination type 2.

Please note that the subclass 407 visa is a temporary visa only with no direct pathway to permanent residency in Australia.

To learn more about the subclass 407 training visa program, please see our article on the subclass 407 Training Visa Requirements And Occupations.

General Skilled Migration

The General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa program offers the following skilled visa options (all of which are points-based) for accountants:

• Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa;
• Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa (a permanent residence visa that requires State Sponsorship approval); and
• Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.

The GSM program operates under an invitation-based system, whereby applicants must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department). Only upon receipt of an invitation can applicants then proceed to apply for the visa itself. Periodically, we publish a summary of the results for invitations issued in the most recent invitation round. We refer you to the latest invitation round results.

Accountant PR Australia Visa

Accounting Points For PR In Australia

The subclass 189 visa grants you immediate permanent residence in Australia. It is a points-tested accountant PR Australia visa, which means that you need to attain at least 65 accounting points for PR in Australia in the migration points test to be eligible.

The same applies to the subclass 190 visa, although you need to be nominated by a State or Territory Government to qualify. Note that you will be granted an additional 5 accounting points for PR in Australia on account of the nomination.

Accountant PR Australia Pathway Visa

Accounting Points For PR In Australia

As an accountant, you may also be nominated by a State or Territory government agency or be sponsored by an eligible relative for a Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. This visa is also a points-tested visa. This means that to apply (and qualify for) a subclass 491 visa, you will need to gain at least 65 accounting points for PR in Australia to be eligible. This visa option grants you an additional 15 accounting points for PR in Australia for the nomination/sponsorship.

Eligible subclass 491 visa holders may qualify for a Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years.

The term of the subclass 491 visa is five years. As a subclass 491 visa holder (including any accompanying visa dependents), you must live, work and study only in a designated regional area of Australia.

Subclass 491 visa holders have unrestricted rights to travel to and from Australia during the visa term and are also entitled to enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health system.

Accountant Sponsorship Australia Employer Sponsored Skilled Visa

Accountants may also qualify for a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which is an employer sponsored temporary visa (under the medium-term stream). A TSS accountant visa Australia may be granted for up to four years.

The subclass 482 visa provides accountants with a pathway to permanent residency with an employer nominated Subclass 186 visa (which is discussed below) after two years.

Employer Nominated Skilled Visa For Accountant Migration Australia

Applicants seeking an employer nominated permanent residence visa who are prepared to commit to remaining with their nominating employer for at least two years from visa grant may consider a Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.

The subclass 186 employer nominated visa comprises of a Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) and Labour Agreement stream.

The TRT option provides a pathway to permanent residence for TSS subclass 482 visa holders who are nominated as accountants after two years.

Accountants may also qualify for immediate permanent residency under the Direct Entry stream.

Accountant Sponsorship Australia Employer Sponsored Regional Visa

The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa provides accountants with a pathway to permanent residence with the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years if the applicant meets specified requirements at that time. The term of the subclass 494 visa is five years.

A SESR visa holder is required to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia. They can travel to and from Australia on an unrestricted basis over the visa term. They are also entitled to enrol in Medicare.

How Is The Occupation Of Accountant Defined For A Skilled Visa?

For migration law purposes, each nominated occupation is defined based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). The ANZSCO occupational classification system provides a general description of each occupation, skill level, registration and/or licensing requirements and the tasks and duties that may be required to be performed as part of each occupation. Each occupation is assigned a unique ANZSCO code, which is used to identify the occupations that are eligible for a skilled visa for Australia.

The following occupational category for accountants contained in ANZSCO may be nominated for a skilled visa to Australia (classified as a minor group):

• Accountants, Auditors and Company Secretaries (minor group 221).

This minor group is then broken down into unit groups of occupations. The next level below this are specific occupations, which are each identified using an ANZSCO code. Skilled visa eligibility is, in part, based on whether your occupation appears on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for the skilled visa that you are seeking to apply for.

Our discussion will follow the ANZSCO structure as we have outlined above. We will start by looking at the minor group listed above. We will then explore the unit groups that makes up this minor group. We then conclude with the most important component in this discussion, that being the specific definition of the occupation of accountant that may be nominated for social accountant immigration Australia.

Minor Group 221 – Accountants, Auditors and Company Secretaries

We begin by examining ANZSCO minor group 221 for Accountants, Auditors and Company Secretaries.

ANZSCO General Description: Accountants, Auditors and Company Secretaries plan and provide accounting, financial auditing and treasury valuation services and systems to individuals and organisations, and plan and review legislative compliance activities.

ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this minor group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Tasks include:

• collecting, analysing and interpreting information on the financial status, cost structures and trading effectiveness of organisations
• devising, re-organising and establishing budgetary cost control and other accounting systems such as computer-based systems
• conducting audits and investigations and preparing financial statements and reports for management, shareholders, and statutory and other bodies
• controlling treasury and treasury systems and establishing and reviewing risk management objectives and treasury policies
• arranging and giving notice of meetings of directors and shareholders
• advising organisations’ governing boards on matters concerning compliance with stock exchange listing rules, relevant legislation and corporation practice

The 221 minor group comprises the following unit groups:

• 2211 Accountants; and
• 2212 Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers.

Accounting occupations are included in unit group 2211 Accountants.

Unit Group 2211 – Accountants

The are three occupations in this unit group with the following common elements:

ANZSCO General Description: Accountants provide services relating to financial reporting, taxation, auditing, insolvency, accounting information systems, budgeting, cost management, planning and decision-making by organisations and individuals; and provide advice on associated compliance and performance requirements to ensure statutory and strategic governance.

ANZSCO Skill level:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Registration or licensing may be required.

Tasks include:

• assisting in formulating budgetary and accounting policies
• preparing financial statements for presentation to boards of directors, management, shareholders, and governing and statutory bodies
• conducting financial investigations, preparing reports, undertaking audits and advising on matters such as the purchase and sale of businesses, mergers, capital financing, suspected fraud, insolvency and taxation
• examining operating costs and organisations’ income and expenditure
• providing assurance about the accuracy of information contained in financial reports and their compliance with statutory requirements
• providing financial and taxation advice on business structures, plans and operations
• preparing taxation returns for individuals and organisations
• liaising with financial institutions and brokers to establish funds management arrangements
• introducing and maintaining accounting systems, and advising on the selection and application of computer-based accounting systems
• maintaining internal control systems
• may appraise cash flow and financial risk of capital investment projects

Skill assessing authority: CAANZ, CPAA and IPA

Skilled Occupation List: Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

Skilled Visa Options:

• Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa
• Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa
• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa^
• Subclass 407 Training visa
• Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Medium Term Stream)^
• Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (Graduate Work Stream)*
• Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (State or Territory nominated)
• Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (Family sponsored)
• Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (Employer sponsored stream)

^ Subject to caveats: (1) Business size – excludes positions that are in a business that has fewer than five employees. (2) Business size – excludes positions that are in a business that has an annual turnover of less than $1M. (3) Low skilled tasks – excludes clerical, bookkeeper or accounting clerk positions.

* Potential applicants may also qualify under the Post-Study Work Stream, which does not apply a Skilled Occupation List.

As you can see from the above list of skilled visas, accountants have several options for accountant migration Australia, covering temporary, provisional and permanent options.

This includes the subclass 189 visa, which is an accountant PR Australia visa. It requires a minimum of 65 accounting points for PR in Australia to qualify.

The subclass 190 is also an accountant PR Australia visa. It too requires a minimum of 65 accounting points for PR in Australia to qualify.  It is an accountant sponsorship Australia option which requires State sponsorship.

The subclass 491 is a provisional accountant visa Australia, which provides a pathway to permanent residency. It is also points-tested, requiring you to attain at least 65 accounting points for PR in Australia to qualify. It too is an accountant sponsorship Australia option which requires state or family sponsorship.

The subclass 494 visa is a provisional regional employer sponsored accountant immigration Australia visa which provides a pathway to permanent residency, and requires accountant sponsorship Australia by an employer.

A description of each occupation in the Accountants ANZSCO group is listed below.

Next, we take a look at auditing and finance occupations.

Unit Group 2212 – Auditors, Company Secretaries And Corporate Treasurers

Occupations in this unit group have the following elements:

ANZSCO General Description: Auditors, Company Secretaries And Corporate Treasurers conduct audits of accounting systems, procedures and financial statements, manage corporate funding and financial risk, and administer and review corporate compliance activities.

ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. In the case of Corporate Treasurers and Company Secretaries, at least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Registration or licensing may be required.

Tasks include:

• arranging, giving notice of and attending meetings of directors and shareholders
• advising organisations’ governing boards on matters concerning compliance with stock exchange listing rules, relevant legislation and corporation practice
• supervising organisations’ share capital by preparing documents and share issues, and handling share transfers
• controlling treasury and treasury systems and establishing and reviewing risk management objectives and treasury policies
• identifying, managing and reporting on financial risks
• assisting with equity management, debt management, securities and taxation planning issues
• collecting, analysing and interpreting information on the financial standing, cost structures and trading effectiveness of organisations
• devising, re-organising and establishing budgetary cost control and other accounting systems such as computer-based systems
• conducting audits and investigations and preparing financial statements and reports for management, shareholders, and governing and statutory bodies
• evaluating the cost effectiveness and risks of operational processes, activities, policies and systems
• reporting to management on the existence and effectiveness of the system of internal controls
• establishing audit objectives, and designing and implementing audit methodologies, processes and audit report criteria

A description of each occupation in the Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers ANZSCO unit group that may be nominated for a skilled visa is listed below. Note that the SOL and skilled visa options are not the same for these occupations.

* Potential applicants may also qualify under the Post-Study Work Stream, which does not apply a Skilled Occupation List.

Next, we turn to finance professionals, which are included in ANZSCO minor group 132.

Minor Group 132 – Business Administration Managers

We begin by examining ANZSCO minor group 132 for Business Administration Managers

ANZSCO General Description: Business Administration Managers plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate the corporate, financial, human resource, policy, planning, research and development activities and guidelines within organisations.

ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this minor group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Tasks include:

• formulating and administering policy advice and strategic planning
• establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures
• implementing, monitoring and evaluating budgetary and accounting strategies and policies
• providing advice to senior Managers and board members on strategic, policy and program and legislative issues
• ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulations and standards
• controlling selection, training and performance of staff
• representing the organisation in negotiations, and at conventions, seminars, public hearings and forums

The 132 minor group comprises the following unit groups:

• 1321 Corporate Services Managers;
• 1322 Finance Managers;
• 1323 Human Resource Managers;
• 1324 Policy and Planning Managers; and
• 1325 Research and Development Managers.

The finance occupation which may be nominated for a skilled visa is included in minor group 1322 Finance Managers.

Unit Group 1322 – Finance Managers

Occupations in this unit group have the following elements:

ANZSCO General Description: Finance Managers plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate the financial and accounting activities within organisations.

ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Tasks include:

• determining, implementing, monitoring, reviewing and evaluating budgetary and accounting strategies, policies and plans in consultation with other Managers
• providing financial information and interpreting the implications for business performance and funding needs
• coordinating the development, implementation and monitoring of accounting systems
• directing the preparation of financial reports that summarise and forecast the organisation’s financial position such as income statements, balance sheets and analyses of future earnings and income
• assessing capital finance proposals and the financial status of operational projects
• advising on investment strategies, sources of funds and the distribution of earnings
• delivering long range profit forecasts, budgeting and financial reporting
• ensuring compliance with financial legislation and standards

Skill assessing authority: CAANZ, CPAA and IPA

Skilled Occupation List: Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

Skilled Visa Options:

• Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa
• Subclass 407 Training visa
• Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass visa (Short-Term Stream)
• Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (State or Territory nominated)
• Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (Employer sponsored stream)

A description of the finance occupation which may be nominated for a skilled visa, as defined in this ANZSCO group, is listed below.

Skill Assessments For Accountants

As noted earlier in this article, the following skills assessing bodies are prescribed for accountants in Australia:

• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ);
• CPA Australia (CPAA); and
• Institute of Public Accountants.

VETASSESS undertakes skill assessments for company secretaries and internal auditors. For the remainder of our discussion, we provide further details about the migration skills assessment process and skill assessment requirements of each of these skill assessing bodies, with links to further detailed information on how to apply.

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)

Skills Assessment Criteria

CAANZ will assess your educational qualifications to determine if they meet the educational standards for the accounting occupations.

Degree Comparability

You must hold a qualification comparable to at least the level of an Australian bachelor’s degree.

Degree Requirement

• For a provisional skills assessment (if you are applying for a Subclass 485 visa – Graduate Work stream): Australian bachelor’s degree or 12 unit Australian master’s degree in accounting or relevant field (business, commerce or economics);
• For a full skills assessment (if you are applying for a permanent skilled visa): Australian bachelor’s degree or 12 unit Australian master’s degree or an overseas tertiary and/or professional membership qualification comparable to at least the level of an Australian bachelor’s degree (AQF level 7 or higher).

Competency Areas

You must complete all mandatory competency areas that are relevant to your nominated occupation.

Once it has been determined that your qualification is comparable to at least the level of an Australian bachelor’s degree, CAANZ will then examine the individual subjects to determine coverage of the mandatory competency areas for each ANZSCO code. You need to demonstrate that you have obtained a pass in each of the approved completed subject areas to demonstrate that you have met the mandatory competency areas.

*Financial Accounting & Reporting includes both study in financial accounting and accounting theory.
**Business Law includes both study in Commercial law and Corporations law.
***Australian taxation law is compulsory only for Taxation Accountant occupation – local tax law is optional for all other codes.

English Language Requirement

You must provide evidence that you have met the English language proficiency requirement from one of the following approved providers:

• IELTS
• TOEFL iBT
• Cambridge English C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
• Accounting Professional Year Program (Accounting PYP)

Please refer to the CAANZ website to learn about the minimum requirements that must be met for each of the above English language tests.

Skilled Employment Assessment

You must hold a suitable full (permanent) qualification assessment outcome under the same nominated occupation from CAANZ to apply for a skilled employment assessment.

Skilled Employment Requirement

CAANZ will only consider skilled employment that:

• was undertaken after you have completed a tertiary or professional membership qualification that can be assessed as comparable to at least the level of an Australian Bachelor degree level;
• tasks performed are closely related to the nominated ANZSCO code for which you have received a suitable full (permanent) qualification assessment outcome;
• was undertaken within 10 years prior to your skills assessment application date;
• was paid and continuous for a minimum of 20 hours per week with the same employer (irregular periods averaging 20 hours a week over several weeks/months will not be considered. Unpaid/partially paid leave or volunteer services and experience carried out as part of a qualification will also not be considered for skilled employment); and
• is a minimum of one year of accumulated employment (only one term of employment can be claimed for the same period of time. You cannot claim more than 12 months of experience in a 12-month period. If you have undertaken concurrent work, then you should provide evidence of the role that is most suitable for the ANZSCO code occupation that you are applying for).

For further information about the skilled employment assessment, including the documents that you need to provide, please refer to the CAANZ website.

Please see the CAANZ website for further information about the skills assessment requirements for accounting occupations in Australia.

CPA Australia (CPAA)

CPA Australia provides the following skills assessment services:

• Full skills assessment: for educational qualifications and English language requirement;
• Provisional assessment: if you are applying for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (Graduate Work stream;
• Skilled employment assessment: optional – requires ‘suitable’ outcome for full skills assessment.

Assessment Criteria

There are three components of the skills assessment to determine suitability:

Degree Comparability

You must hold a qualification that is assessed by CPAA as being equivalent to at least an Australian bachelor’s degree. Overseas qualifications are assessed in accordance with the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Skills and Employment guidelines.

Provisional assessment: Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (Graduate Work stream) requires you to have an Australian bachelor degree or 12 unit master degree in accounting, business, commerce or economics.

Educational Knowledge

Qualifications that meet the degree comparability requirement will be assessed for relevance to your chosen occupation. This is conducted using the following mandatory competencies according to each ANZSCO code.

You can use the accredited course search function on the CPAA website to check if your qualifications are on CPA Australia’s list of formally accredited studies. This tool will show the competencies achieved from your qualifications. If you have completed an accredited course, you will not be required to provide syllabus details of your studies to accompany your application.

English Proficiency

The English language proficiency requirement is mandatory for all applicants.

CPAA recognises the following programs and tests as meeting the English Language Proficiency requirements of the general skills assessment:

• Accounting Professional Year Program;
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE);
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS);
• PTE Academic; and
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT.

Please refer to the CPAA website for information about the minimum English language competency requirements for each of the above programs/tests.

Skilled Employment Assessment

CPA Australia will assess your employment history to determine if it is closely related to your selected ANZSCO occupation, and if is at a level expected from Australian employers. You may be eligible to claim additional points to support your skilled migration visa application.

Criteria

Work experience and employment claims are considered after CPA Australia has completed a full skills assessment outcome for your nominated occupation.

Volunteering or work experience that was required as part of your education will not be recognised as skilled employment.

CPA Australia will only assess employment that:

• is assessed as closely related to the ANZSCO occupation for which you have received a suitable skills assessment outcome;
• occurred in the 10 years before your CPA Australia skills assessment application date;
• occurred after you completed a formal qualification, or combination of qualifications, that has been assessed as equivalent to at least an Australian bachelor’s degree;
• was paid and continuous for a minimum of 20 hours a week; and
• is at least one year of accumulated employment, for at least three months for each role.

You will need to provide employer testimonials and payslips for each role as documentary evidence.

For further information about the skilled employment assessment, including the documents that you need to provide, please refer to the CPAA website.

Please see the CPAA website for further information about the skills assessment requirements for accounting occupations in Australia.

Institute Of Public Accountants (IPA)

Educational Standards

To meet the educational standards of the IPA, you must have your qualification (with a major in accounting or relevant field) assessed as comparable (in both content and standard) to an Australian Bachelor degree. Your qualification must include adequate coverage of the required core knowledge areas below.

Skilled Employment Assessment

If you have worked in a professionally qualified accounting role for at least 12 months, and you hold a positive qualifications assessment outcome from the IPA, you may be eligible to claim additional points for your skilled migration visa application.

The IPA can assess your employment history to determine if the experience is relevant to your selected ANZSCO occupation, and at a level expected from Australian employers.

Criteria

You must hold a successful qualifications assessment outcome from the IPA before you can apply for a Skilled Employment assessment.

The IPA will only recognise employment that:

• is closely related to the ANZSCO occupation for which you have received a successful skills assessment outcome;
• was undertaken within the last ten years;
• was undertaken after you have completed a formal qualification, recognised as equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree;
• is paid at market rate and continuous for a minimum of 20 hours per week; and
• is a minimum of one year of employment in total, for at least three months per role.

Subclass 485 Visa Assessment

To apply for a subclass 485 visa assessment, you will need to:

• hold a completed Australian qualification that meets the core knowledge areas; and
• provide evidence of one of the following English language test that meets Competent English:
  • Pearson (PTE) Academic
  • IELTS Academic / General
  • TOEFL iBT
  • Cambridge (CAE)

Please refer to the IPA website for further information about the skills assessment requirements for accounting occupations in Australia.

VETASSESS

A VETASSESS full skills assessment involves assessing your qualifications and employment against the suitability of your nominated occupation. Qualification assessment involves assessing the educational level comparability of your qualifications on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and determining the relevance of your qualifications for your nominated occupation.

An employment assessment involves determining whether your work experience (obtained either in Australia or overseas) is at an appropriate skill level and relevant to your nominated occupation.

A positive assessment of both qualifications and employment is required for a successful skills assessment for migration purposes.

Set out below are the qualification and employment experience skill assessment requirements for accountant immigration Australia.

Company Secretary (ANZSCO Code 221211)

This occupation requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree or higher degree and in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation.

In addition to the above, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:

• at least one year of post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level,
• undertaken in the last five years,
• working 20 hours or more per week, and
• highly relevant to the nominated occupation.

If the qualification is not in a highly relevant field, then the applicant must have:

• three years of post-qualification employment experience at an appropriate skill level,
• undertaken in the last five years,
• working 20 hours or more per week, and
• highly relevant to the nominated occupation.

This is reduced to two years if there is an additional qualification at least at AQF Diploma level in a highly relevant field.

If employment has occurred before completion of qualification, then five years of highly relevant employment experience are required in addition to at least one year of highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years.

Please note in order to achieve a successful Skills Assessment Outcome, a positive assessment for both qualifications and employment is required.

For this occupation, applicants are required to provide an organisational chart.

Qualifications For A Skills Assessment For A Company Secretary

This occupation requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the educational level of an Australian
Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree or higher.

Applicants must have fulfilled at least one of the following criteria:

• Minimum comparable Bachelor or higher degree AQF level* with a highly relevant major field of study and a minimum of 1 year of highly relevant employment;***
• Minimum comparable Bachelor or higher degree AQF level* with an additional highly relevant qualification** (minimum AQF Diploma level with highly relevant major) and a minimum of 2 years of highly relevant employment;***
• Minimum comparable Bachelor or higher degree AQF level* and a minimum of 3 years of highly relevant employment;*** or
• A minimum of 5 years of highly relevant employment*** plus at least one year of highly relevant employment within the last five years and a minimum comparable Bachelor Degree AQF level qualification.

*A Bachelor degree or higher degree includes an AQF Master Degree or AQF Doctoral Degree.

**Additional qualifications in a highly relevant field of study include those comparable to the following levels:

• AQF Diploma
• AQF Advanced Diploma
• AQF Associate Degree
• AQF Graduate Diploma

***Highly relevant paid employment duration is 20 hours or more per week.

Where a minimum of 1–3 years of employment highly relevant to the nominated occupation is required (as per above), this must have been completed at an appropriate skill level in the five years before the date of application for a Skills Assessment.

Where a minimum of 6 years of relevant employment is required (as per above), this needs to be five years of relevant employment (can be outside the last 5-year period) in addition to at least one year of highly relevant employment within the last five years before applying.

Further information about the skills assessment requirements for Company Secretaries is available in a VETASSESS Information Sheet.

Please refer to the VETASSESS website for further information.

Internal Auditor (ANZSCO Code 221214)

This occupation requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor Degree or higher degree and in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation.

In addition to the above, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:

• at least one year of post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level,
• undertaken in the last five years,
• working 20 hours or more per week, and
• highly relevant to the nominated occupation.

Please note in order to achieve a successful Skills Assessment Outcome, a positive assessment for both qualifications and employment is required.

An Internal Auditor examines, verifies, evaluates and reports on financial, operational and managerial processes, systems and outcomes to ensure financial and operational integrity and compliance, and assists in business process reviews, risk assessments, developing deliverables and reporting progress against outcomes (ANZSCO).

For this occupation, applicants are required to provide an organisational chart.

Qualifications For A Skills Assessment For An Internal Auditor

This occupation requires a qualification that is assessed as comparable to the educational level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree or higher degree.*

In addition to this, applicants must possess at least one year of highly relevant post-qualification employment, at an appropriate skill level, in the last five years. If the qualification(s) are not at the required educational level, and/or not in a highly relevant field of study, or if the employment has been completed prior to the qualification, then the overall assessment outcome will be negative.

A positive assessment of both qualifications and employment is required for a positive Skills Assessment Outcome.

*This includes qualifications assessed at AQF Bachelor, Master and Doctoral level. VETASSESS does not currently accept relevant studies at Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma levels on their own.

AQF Bachelor Degree Or Higher

Highly relevant major fields of study include:

• Accounting
• Commerce/Business

The courses should cover the key areas of Risk Analysis, Business Law, Organisational Methods and Structures, Business Management, Accountancy, and Business Process and Systems.

Other fields of study may be considered for a full skills assessment if the employment is highly relevant and the field of study pertains to the area of employment.

Further information about the skills assessment requirements for Internal Auditors is available in a VETASSESS Information Sheet.

Please refer to the VETASSESS website for further information.

Get More Information

Skilled Visa Options For Selected Occupations

Please refer to our series of articles on the skilled visa options that are available for selected occupations below:

Visa Options For Professionals

Skilled Trade Visa Options In Australia

Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Doctors

Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Nurses

Australian Visa Options For Engineers

Migrate To Australia As A Plastics Moulder Machine Operator, Fabricator, Welder Or Technician

How To Migrate To Australia As A Pig Farmer Or A Senior Piggery Stockperson

Migrate To Australia As A Small Engine Mechanic

Migrate To Australia As A Sandblaster

Australian Visa Options For Farmers

Australian Visa Options For Teachers

Australian Visa Options For Veterinarians

Australian Visa Options For Motor Mechanics

Australian Visa Options For Software Engineers

Australian Visa Options For Welders

Employer Sponsored Regional Visa

For further information on the subclass 494 regional employer sponsored visa, please see the following articles:

Skilled Regional Visa Australia

Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme

Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements

Employer Sponsored Visa

To learn more about an employer sponsorship visa, please see the following articles:

Employer Sponsored Visas

Employer Nomination Migration Scheme

Labour Agreement Visa

482 Visa Employer Obligations

457 Visa Replacement

Employer Sponsor Visa Requirements

Changes To 457 Temporary Work Skilled Visa

Business Requirements For Accredited Sponsorship

Self Sponsor Visa Australia

Does 482 Visa Require Skills Assessment

Subclass 482 – A Guide to Temporary Skill Shortage

Permanent Residence Eligibility Extended For Certain Subclass 457 And 482 Visa Holders

How To Sponsor An Employee For A Work Visa Or Permanent Residency

Overview Of Australian Work Visas And Employer Sponsorship

Guide To Australian Sponsorship Visa Costs

How To Become A Sponsor

Labour Market Testing Requirements

Skilled Visa

To learn more about applying for a skilled visa, please see the following articles:

Australian Skilled Migration Visa List

General Skilled Migration Visa Options

SAF Skilling Australians Fund Levy

General Skilled Migration Visa Points

Subclass 491 Regional Visa

Subclass 190 State Sponsorship Visa

Australian Skilled Occupations List

Australian Permanent Resident Visa Case Study

State Sponsorship Visas In Australia

South Australia State Sponsorship Opportunities

Skilled Regional Visa Australia

Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme

Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements

Visa Options For Professionals

Skilled Trade Visa Options In Australia

English Requirements For Skilled Visas

Australian Visa Options For IT Occupations

Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Doctors

Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Nurses

Australian Visa Options For Engineers

Adelaide 190 Visa

491 Visa Adelaide

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Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation to find out more about applying for a skilled accountant visa Australia, including the skilled visa options that are available for accountant PR Australia, such as skills visas which require accounting points for PR in Australia.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

In conclusion, we note that the above discussion provides an overview of the Australian visa options for accountants, including accountant PR Australia skilled visas for accountant migration Australia. We have discussed the accountant sponsorship Australia options. We have also covered the CAANZ, CPAA and IPA skills assessment criteria for a skilled accountant visa Australia, and have provided links to further information so that you can learn more about the skilled accountant visa Australia options that are available and the skills assessment criteria.

Australia’s migration laws are complex, and each case is different. We recommend that you seek professional advice if you are seeking to migrate to Australia as an accountant, as being fully informed will give you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome on your case. A migration professional can help you to do this.

For up-to-date advice on the skilled visa options that are available for accountant immigration Australia, including accountant sponsorship Australia, book your confidential consultation with a migration agent in Adelaide. PAX Migration Australia is a leading immigration advice service based in Adelaide.

Sources/Links

Australian Bureau of Statistics – Statistics Classifications ANZSCO – Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations 2022

VETASSESS

VETASSESS – Skills Assessment for Migration – Professional occupations – Application process

VETASSESS – Skills Assessment For Migration – Professional Occupations – Nominate an occupation

VETASSESS – Skills Assessment for Migration – Professional Occupations

VETASSESS – Skills Assessment For Migration – Professional Occupations – Nominate an occupation – COMPANY SECRETARY (ANZSCO Code: 221211)

VETASSESS – Skills Assessment For Migration – Professional Occupations – Nominate an occupation – SRGO Occupational Information Sheet – INTERNAL AUDITOR (ANZSCO Code: 221214)

Australian Government – Department of Home Affairs – Immigration and Citizenship – Visas – Working in Australia – Skilled occupation list