Skilled migration for accountants: code, competencies and assessment authority
Accounting migration is not a single occupation. Accountant (General), Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant, External Auditor, Corporate Treasurer and Finance Manager have distinct codes and competency expectations. Choose the code supported by study and duties, then verify its live visa and nomination access.
Key points
- Use the Home Affairs row to confirm the occupation code, visa stream and authorised assessing authorities.
- Current accounting assessments generally examine degree comparability, occupation-specific competency areas and English evidence.
- Qualification suitability and skilled-employment relevance can be separate assessment outcomes.
- The Accounting Professional Year is discontinued for new enrolments; do not buy a product advertised as a new migration-points pathway.
Choose the occupation by evidence
Compare actual responsibilities, reporting level, client or internal role, tax or audit specialisation and qualification subjects with the current ANZSCO description. A person called “accountant” by an employer may have duties closer to bookkeeping, finance management, audit or another code.
Qualification assessment
Current authority pages generally require a qualification comparable to at least an Australian bachelor degree and coverage of prescribed competency areas. The subjects differ by occupation; taxation and external audit have specific requirements. Use transcripts and syllabus material where the subject title does not show the content.
English for assessment and visa
An accounting authority can impose its own accepted tests, component scores, test modes and validity. Home Affairs separately defines Competent, Proficient and Superior English for the visa points test. Meeting one system does not automatically prove the other; compare both tables for the test date.
Employment assessment and points
CPA Australia and CA ANZ describe qualification assessment as the required foundation and skilled-employment assessment as a separate service. Home Affairs decides points. Preserve references, job descriptions, tax, payroll and bank evidence and check whether the work was at the required professional level.
Accounting Professional Year status
CA ANZ states that the Accounting Professional Year Program was discontinued and all activities ended by 1 May 2026. A person with an earlier genuine completion may still investigate the current Schedule 6D five-point professional-year category, including the 48-month timing rule. A new enrolment offer presented as an active approved accounting program should be verified before payment.
Visa and nomination sequence
- Confirm the occupation and visa-stream row.
- Compare the current criteria of authorised accounting authorities.
- Obtain a suitable assessment and separately audit work points.
- Check age, English and the complete evidence-backed score.
- For 190 or 491, check current state categories rather than old accountant invitation claims.
Use the occupation list guide before choosing a code.
Official sources to check before acting
These pages control over any summary on this website. Recheck them when you submit an EOI, accept a nomination or lodge a visa application.
Important Notice: The content on this page is for general information only. Australian visa policies and requirements are subject to change at any time. Always refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website for the most current and accurate information.