Australia’s demand for qualified financial professionals continues to rise, especially in key areas such as auditing, taxation, and financial analysis. If you’re an ACCA-qualified accountant aiming to migrate to Australia under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, understanding how your ACCA qualification is assessed is critical.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a globally recognized accounting designation. However, for migration purposes, qualifications must be evaluated and recognized through the skills assessment authorities appointed by the Australian Government. For accounting professionals, that authority is the Certified Practising Accountants Australia (CPA Australia), alongside Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
This article provides an in-depth guide for ACCA members seeking migration to Australia, focusing on how their qualifications are assessed and the specific pathways that align with skilled migration visa subclasses.
CPA Australia – Migration Assessment
The Importance of a Skills Assessment for ACCA Professionals
Before applying for a skilled visa, all applicants must undergo a skills assessment to prove that their qualifications and experience meet the Australian standards for their nominated occupation. For financial professionals, this includes occupations such as:
- Accountant (General) – 221111
- Management Accountant – 221112
- Taxation Accountant – 221113
- External Auditor – 221213
- Corporate Treasurer – 221212
- Finance Manager – 132211
The ACCA qualification, while prestigious, is not automatically equivalent to Australian qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). That’s where CPA Australia’s skills assessment process comes in.
Who Needs a Skills Assessment?
You’ll need a skills assessment from CPA Australia if you:
- Are an ACCA Affiliate or ACCA Member
- Want to migrate to Australia under Subclass 189, 190, or 491 visas
- Are applying under an accounting-related ANZSCO code
- Hold overseas education and qualifications that require formal recognition in Australia
Without a positive skills assessment, your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect will be ineligible for visa invitation.
Australian Skilled Occupation List
ACCA Qualification Overview
The ACCA qualification consists of:
- Applied Knowledge and Skills Modules
- Strategic Professional Exams
- Ethics and Professional Skills Module
- Practical Experience Requirement (PER) – typically 3 years
While this program provides a deep foundation in finance, accounting, auditing, and taxation, the recognition for migration purposes depends on your exam subjects, practical experience, and whether your studies meet the competency areas outlined by CPA Australia.
Pathways for ACCA Members: Migration Assessment with CPA Australia
CPA Australia is one of three designated accounting bodies authorized to conduct skills assessments for immigration. It assesses your eligibility based on educational qualifications and competency coverage.
The three stages of CPA’s migration skills assessment process are:
1. Eligibility Review
You’ll need to prove that your ACCA qualification meets the academic requirements equivalent to an Australian Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Key criteria include:
- Completion of ACCA Strategic Professional modules
- Proof of full ACCA membership or completion of the ACCA exam suite
- Transcripts of completed papers
- Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)
Note: ACCA Affiliates (non-members) are assessed case-by-case and may be considered if they’ve completed all exams and modules.
2. Competency Area Review
CPA Australia evaluates your academic and professional competencies against 12 core knowledge areas, grouped into three categories:
Accounting Competency Areas
- Accounting Systems and Processes
- Financial Accounting and Reporting
- Management Accounting
- Finance
Business Competency Areas
- Business Law
- Economics
- Quantitative Methods
- Information Systems
Audit and Taxation Competency Areas
- Audit and Assurance
- Taxation Law (Australia-specific)
- Corporate Law
- Accounting Theory
Many ACCA modules will satisfy the above areas, but Australian Taxation Law and Australian Corporation Law are often missing. These two are mandatory for skills assessment under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa pathway.
CPA Australia Core Knowledge Areas
3. Meeting the Australian Core Subjects Requirement
If you lack knowledge in Australian Taxation Law and Corporations Law, CPA Australia will issue a conditional assessment. You must complete these two subjects via:
- CPA Program (for those joining CPA Australia)
- Approved University Bridging Courses offered online or on-campus
CPA Australia Approved Tertiary Courses
Once completed, you can apply for an updated full assessment, which is valid for 2 years.
Required Documents for Skills Assessment
To lodge your skills assessment with CPA Australia, prepare:
- ACCA academic transcripts (all completed papers)
- Membership confirmation letter (for full members)
- Passport copy
- Degree certificate(s) (if any)
- Official syllabus or course outlines (if requested)
- Resume/CV detailing your experience
- English proficiency test results (if not exempt)
Apply for Skills Assessment – CPA Australia
Do ACCA Professionals Need Work Experience?
Unlike some occupations, accountants do not require mandatory work experience for a migration skills assessment. However, experience becomes valuable when:
- Applying for points-tested visas where work experience boosts your points score
- Demonstrating your knowledge in specific Australian accounting standards
- Compensating for areas where formal academic training may be lacking
English Language Proficiency Requirement
Even though CPA Australia doesn’t always require English test results, immigration law does. You must meet the Department of Home Affairs’ English language requirements for skilled visas.
Minimum acceptable scores:
- IELTS: Overall 6.0 (minimum 6.0 in each band)
- PTE Academic: 50 in each section
- TOEFL iBT: Total 64 (minimum 12 in listening, 13 in reading, 21 in writing, and 18 in speaking)
Home Affairs – English Language Requirements
Visa Pathways After a Positive Assessment
Once you receive a positive skills assessment, you can proceed to submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) via the SkillSelect system.
Popular visa options include:
1. Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa
- Permanent residency
- No state nomination required
- Points-based invitation
2. Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
- Requires nomination from an Australian state/territory
- Adds 5 points to your EOI
3. Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
- Regional nomination from state/family sponsor
- Pathway to permanent residency after 3 years
Each visa class evaluates your profile using the points-based system (age, education, work experience, English level, partner qualifications).
SkillSelect and Points Test Calculator
Fees and Processing Time
| Service | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Migration Assessment (Initial) | $540 |
| Migration Assessment Review/Update | $195 |
| Additional Subject Assessment | $100 |
Processing time: 8–10 weeks (may vary depending on document verification and demand)
Common Mistakes ACCA Applicants Make
- Assuming ACCA = automatic approval
Many applicants underestimate the need to prove core competencies, especially Australian-specific subjects. - Omitting Australian Taxation and Corporations Law
These must be completed through bridging courses unless already covered via a local Australian degree. - Using outdated transcripts
Always provide up-to-date, official documentation directly from ACCA. - Lack of awareness of occupation codes
Choosing the wrong ANZSCO code can lead to mismatched assessments and rejection. - Failing to understand visa pathways
A positive assessment does not equal a visa grant—you must follow the full visa application steps via SkillSelect.
Additional Tips for a Successful Migration Journey
- Join CPA Australia or CA ANZ as a member for access to local support and resources.
- Consider completing a Master’s degree in Australia to supplement your ACCA and fulfill competency gaps.
- Prepare a strong resume and EOI to enhance your points-based application.
- Keep copies of all assessment communications, certificates, and result letters for visa submission.
Conclusion: ACCA and CPA Australia – A Powerful Migration Bridge
If you’re an ACCA-qualified professional seeking a future in Australia, your journey starts with understanding how your credentials are recognized by CPA Australia.
Here’s a quick recap:
- ACCA is highly regarded, but not automatically equivalent under Australian standards.
- You must apply to CPA Australia for a formal skills assessment.
- Completing Australian Taxation and Corporations Law may be required.
- A positive skills assessment unlocks access to skilled migration visas (189/190/491).
The process may seem complex, but with planning, document readiness, and strategic subject alignment, ACCA professionals are well-positioned to build thriving careers in Australia.
Start Your Skills Assessment – CPA Australia
