Australian Visa Options for Accountants

Skilled Independent Visa – Subclass 189

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent points-tested skilled migration pathway.

An accountant may potentially consider this pathway if they satisfy the applicable requirements, including:

• Eligible occupation
• Suitable skills assessment
• English requirements
• Points requirements
• Expression of Interest through SkillSelect
• Invitation to apply
• Health and character requirements

The minimum points threshold is currently 65 points, but achieving 65 points does not guarantee an invitation.

Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent visa for eligible skilled applicants nominated by an Australian state or territory.

State and territory nomination requirements vary and can consider occupation, work experience, employment, location, English and other factors.

A successful nomination provides 5 additional points under the points test.

Skilled Work Regional Visa – Subclass 491

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows eligible skilled workers to live and work in designated regional Australia.

Accountants may potentially qualify through state or territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship, subject to the applicable requirements.

A successful state or territory nomination can provide 15 additional points.

Eligible 491 holders may later pursue permanent residence through subclass 191, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.

Skills in Demand Visa – Subclass 482

Accountants may also consider employer sponsorship through the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482).

Accountant (General) is currently included on the CSOL and can therefore be relevant to the Core Skills stream, subject to the visa, nomination and occupation requirements.

However, important occupation caveats apply.

For Accountant (General), the current occupation rules exclude:

• Clerical positions
• Bookkeeping positions
• Accounting clerk positions
• Positions in businesses with annual turnover below AUD 1 million
• Positions in businesses with fewer than 5 employees

These caveats are particularly important when assessing an employer-sponsored position under the SID 482 Core Skills stream.

Employer Nomination Scheme – Subclass 186

The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) provides a permanent employer-sponsored pathway.

Potential streams include:

• Temporary Residence Transition
• Direct Entry
• Labour Agreement

For the Direct Entry stream, Accountant (General) is on the CSOL, but the applicable occupation caveats must also be satisfied. Most applicants generally need at least 3 years of relevant work experience, unless an exemption applies, and most applicants need a positive skills assessment.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa – Subclass 494

Accountant (General) may also be relevant to the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) where the occupation, regional position, employer and applicant satisfy the applicable requirements.

A 494 visa can provide a potential pathway toward subclass 191 permanent residence, subject to meeting the requirements.

Accountant (General) ANZSCO 221111

Home Affairs lists CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) as assessing authorities for Accountant (General).

Accountant (General) Skills Assessment

A suitable skills assessment is an important part of many skilled migration pathways.

CPA Australia, CA ANZ and IPA can assess accounting occupations for migration purposes, subject to their respective assessment requirements.

CPA Australia, for example, assesses:

• Degree comparability
• Educational knowledge
• English language requirements where applicable
• Skilled employment, where a skilled employment assessment is requested

For Accountant (General), CPA Australia's educational assessment considers mandatory accounting competencies including Accounting Systems and Processes and other prescribed areas.

The appropriate assessing authority and assessment requirements should be confirmed before lodging an application.

Accounting Skills Assessment Requirements

Depending on the assessing authority and your circumstances, you may need evidence of:

• Passport
• Degree certificate
• Academic transcripts
• Course information
• Accounting subjects
• Professional qualifications
• Employment history
• Employment references
• English evidence
• Name-change documents
• Other supporting documents

Your qualification must satisfy the relevant assessment criteria.

CPA Australia states that the qualification assessment requires a qualification assessed as equivalent to at least an Australian bachelor's degree, together with the required educational knowledge for the nominated occupation.

Relevant Accounting Qualifications

Applicants may have qualifications such as:

• Bachelor of Accounting
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Business with accounting major
• Master of Professional Accounting
• Master of Accounting
• Other recognised accounting qualifications

Having an accounting-related qualification does not automatically guarantee a positive migration skills assessment. The assessing authority determines whether the qualification meets its current requirements.

Accountant (General) Work Experience

Relevant professional employment can be important for both skills assessment and visa eligibility.

Your employment evidence should clearly establish:

• Employer
• Position
• Employment dates
• Full-time or part-time status
• Hours worked
• Salary
• Main duties
• Professional responsibilities

Your actual duties should be consistent with the nominated occupation.

Job titles such as Accountant, Senior Accountant, Financial Accountant, Management Accountant or Assistant Accountant do not automatically establish eligibility. The duties and level of work need to be considered.

Important Accountant Occupation Caveats

Accountant (General) has specific caveats under the current occupation framework for certain employer-sponsored pathways.

Low-Skilled Tasks

The position must not be primarily a:

• Clerical position
• Bookkeeping position
• Accounting clerk position

Business Size

For the applicable 482 Core Skills and 186 Direct Entry occupation caveats, the position must not be in a business that:

• Has annual turnover below AUD 1 million, or
• Has fewer than 5 employees

These restrictions can be critical when assessing an employer-sponsored accountant position.

English Requirements for Accountants

English requirements depend on the visa pathway and your circumstances.

For points-tested skilled visas:

Higher English proficiency may therefore improve an accountant's points score where the applicant satisfies the applicable requirements.

Accountant Points Test

Applicants considering subclasses 189, 190 or 491 may need to meet the points test.

Potential points can be available for:

• Age
• English
• Skilled employment
• Educational qualifications
• Australian study
• Specialist education
• Professional Year
• Credentialled community language
• Partner circumstances
• State or territory nomination
• Eligible family sponsorship

The minimum threshold is currently 65 points, but this does not guarantee an invitation.

Accountant (General) Pathway – Application Process

Step 1 – Review Your Accounting Background

Assess your:

• Qualification
• Accounting subjects
• Employment history
• English ability
• Age
• Current location
• Migration goals

Step 2 – Confirm the Occupation

Determine whether Accountant (General) – ANZSCO 221111 accurately reflects your actual professional duties.

Step 3 – Choose an Assessing Authority

Depending on your circumstances, the relevant authority may be:

• CPA Australia
• CA ANZ
• IPA

Step 4 – Complete Your Skills Assessment

Submit the required qualification and supporting evidence to the relevant assessing authority.

Step 5 – Complete Your English Test

Obtain the required English result for your intended visa and determine your potential English points.

Step 6 – Calculate Your Points

Calculate your potential score for subclass 189, 190 or 491.

Step 7 – Submit an EOI

For applicable points-tested skilled visas, submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.

Step 8 – Explore State Nomination

If considering subclass 190 or 491, check the current nomination criteria of each state or territory.

Step 9 – Consider Employer Sponsorship

If you have an Australian employer, assess whether subclass 482, 186 or 494 may be suitable.

Step 10 – Lodge Your Visa Application

After receiving an invitation or establishing an eligible employer-sponsored pathway, lodge the relevant visa application with the required evidence.

Accountant Visa Pathways at a Glance

The most suitable option depends on your skills assessment, occupation, points, experience, employer circumstances and the requirements applicable at the time of application.

Accountant Migration to Australia

Accountants may work across a range of Australian industries, including:

• Public practice
• Corporate accounting
• Financial reporting
• Taxation
• Audit
• Business services
• Financial services
• Construction
• Healthcare
• Professional services
• Manufacturing
• Retail
• Technology
• Regional businesses

However, employment in Australia does not automatically provide migration eligibility. The occupation, duties, employer, visa pathway and applicable requirements must all be assessed.

Why Choose The Visa?

The Visa can provide professional guidance for accountants considering Australian migration, including:

• Accountant occupation assessment
• Skills assessment guidance
• CPA/CA ANZ/IPA pathway guidance
• Points calculation
• EOI preparation
• State nomination options
• Employer-sponsored pathways
• Regional migration
• Supporting documentation
• Visa application preparation
• PR pathway planning

Start Your Accountant Migration Assessment

If you are an Accountant (General) planning to migrate to Australia, your qualification, accounting subjects, skills assessment, professional experience, English, age, points and potential employer sponsorship should be considered together.

Contact The Visa to discuss your potential Australian Accountant migration pathway.

Disclaimer: Australian immigration rules, occupation lists, caveats, skills-assessment requirements and state or territory nomination criteria can change. A positive skills assessment does not guarantee an invitation or visa grant. Eligibility should be assessed against the requirements applicable when you apply.