Accounting in Australia: Demand and Pathways
Australia consistently lists accounting and finance roles among its most in-demand skilled occupations for migration. The profession encompasses a wide range of roles — from public practice audit and tax to commercial finance, management accounting, forensic accounting and financial analysis — and the migration system treats the profession with nuanced distinctions that affect which visa pathways are available and how quickly invitations are issued.
The key professional bodies that conduct skills assessments for accountants are CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). Which body you are assessed by, and the outcome, significantly affects your points score and migration options.
Melbourne's financial services sector is second only to Sydney in Australia. The CBD contains the Australian offices of all major accounting firms alongside a large commercial finance sector serving the manufacturing, healthcare and technology industries that are concentrated in Victoria.
Accounting Occupations on the Skilled Occupation Lists
| ANZSCO Occupation | Code | List | Assessing Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant (General) | 221111 | MLTSSL | CPA / CA ANZ / IPA |
| Management Accountant | 221112 | MLTSSL | CPA / CA ANZ / IPA |
| Taxation Accountant | 221113 | MLTSSL | CPA / CA ANZ / IPA |
| External Auditor | 221213 | MLTSSL | CPA / CA ANZ / IPA |
| Financial Broker | 222312 | STSOL | ASIC |
| Finance Manager | 132211 | MLTSSL | CPA / CA ANZ |
The Three Skills Assessing Bodies Compared
CPA Australia
CPA Australia is Australia's largest accounting professional body with approximately 170,000 members. A positive skills assessment from CPA Australia confirms your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards. If your degree meets CPA's academic entry requirements, you may also be eligible for CPA program entry — a significant career benefit as the CPA designation is widely recognised by employers. Assessment processing: 8–12 weeks. Cost: approximately $550.
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
CA ANZ represents Chartered Accountants — a designation that commands a premium in public practice and large-company finance roles. The CA program requires a mentor relationship and typically takes 3–5 years to complete alongside full-time accounting work. For migration purposes, a CA ANZ positive assessment carries the same immigration effect as CPA but potentially a higher professional status signal to employers. Assessment: 8–12 weeks. Cost: approximately $600.
Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
The IPA is the third body and provides assessment for accountants whose qualifications or experience may not fully meet CPA or CA ANZ requirements. The IPA pathway is sometimes used by applicants from countries where accounting qualifications are less directly equivalent. The IPA designation is less recognised by major employers than CPA or CA, which has practical career implications regardless of immigration outcome.
Points Calculation: An Accountant's Typical Profile
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 25–32 | 30 |
| English — Superior (IELTS 8+) | 20 |
| 8+ years skilled employment overseas | 20 |
| Bachelor degree | 15 |
| State nomination (190) | 5 |
| Total | 90 |
Salary Expectations by Role and Experience
| Role | Entry (0–3 yrs AUS) | Mid (3–7 yrs) | Senior (7+ yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Accountant | $58k–$68k | — | — |
| Public Practice (Audit/Tax) | $65k–$80k | $85k–$115k | $125k–$180k |
| Commercial / Management | $70k–$85k | $90k–$130k | $135k–$190k |
| Finance Manager | — | $110k–$145k | $150k–$220k |
| CFO (small to mid company) | — | — | $200k–$400k+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a CPA or CA to work as an accountant in Australia?
For most accounting roles below audit partner level, CPA or CA designation is not legally required. However, it is strongly preferred by employers and in many organisations is a requirement for promotion beyond senior accountant level. For roles that require registered company auditor status or tax agent registration, professional body membership is mandatory. New arrivals who are not yet CPA or CA qualified but have overseas professional designations (ACCA, CIMA, ICAI, ICAEW and others) typically find Australian employers recognise their international qualification while they work toward Australian professional body membership. The IPA's fast-track pathway and CPA Australia's international recognition agreements cover many major accounting bodies.
Will I need to re-sit accounting exams to get CPA or CA designation?
This depends on your existing qualifications and which body you are pursuing. CPA Australia has academic recognition agreements with universities and professional bodies in over 30 countries — if your degree is from a recognised institution, you may be exempt from some CPA program segments. CA ANZ similarly has mutual recognition arrangements. ACCA holders in particular often receive significant exemptions from both CPA and CA programs due to the depth of the ACCA qualification. The specific exemptions depend on your qualification — both bodies publish recognition tables on their websites that map your credential to their program requirements.
Is there a demand difference between Melbourne and Sydney for accountants?
Sydney pays accountants 10–15% more on average than Melbourne, reflecting the higher cost of living and Sydney's dominance in financial services and investment banking. For public practice audit and tax, the Big Four firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC) and mid-tier firms (Grant Thornton, RSM, Pitcher Partners) have significant Melbourne offices with continuous hiring demand. Melbourne's commercial accounting market is strong in the manufacturing, healthcare and technology sectors that are proportionally larger in Victoria than in other states. The choice between cities is largely a lifestyle and cost-of-living decision rather than a career opportunity one.