How to get accounting skills assessment in Australia
For accountants aiming to migrate for work, obtaining a migration skills assessment is a non-negotiable step. But, what is skill assessment for accounting?
What is skill assessment for accounting?
This assessment verifies if an individual’s skills and qualifications meet the standards required for their nominated occupation in an Australia.
The assessment body for migration evaluates your qualifications (obtained either overseas or in Australia), level of English proficiency, and work experience to ascertain your eligibility for an accountant position in Australia.
A migration skills assessment is a critical requirement for applicants of certain skilled migration visas, including Employer sponsored visas and Points tested (Skill Select) visas.
It serves two main purposes: ensuring that migrants possess the necessary qualifications and skills for their nominated occupation and providing a formal acknowledgment of these skills by a recognized assessing authority, such as CPA Australia for accountants.
CPA Australia, CAANZ and IPA is entrusted with assessing the qualifications and skills of accountants looking to migrate.
This evaluation encompasses the applicant’s educational background, English proficiency, and in some instances, work experience, to ascertain their eligibility based on a set of pre-defined criteria for their chosen occupation within accounting.
There are two types of skill assessment:
- Full Skills Assessment– For applicants of Employer sponsored visas or Points tested visas.
- Provisional Skills Assessment– Specifically for recent graduates from Australian educational institutions applying for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), including assessments of skilled employment. The provisional assessment caters to recent graduates seeking the subclass 485 visa. While it shares similarities with the general migration assessment, it differs slightly, particularly in terms of the English proficiency scores accepted.
ANZSCO Codes and Associated Occupations
CPA Australia, CAANZ and IPA assesses qualifications and skills for the following accounting-related occupations:
| Occupation | ANZSCO Code |
| Accountant (General) | 221111 |
| Corporate Treasurer | 221212 |
| External Auditor | 221213 |
| Finance Manager | 132211 |
| Management Accountant | 221112 |
| Taxation Accountant | 221113 |
Applicants must remember that only one positive skills assessment outcome is valid at any given time. A request for a review to change the ANZSCO code invalidates the previous assessment.
Expressions of Interest (EOI)
Before lodging an EOI with the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA), applicants are advised to await their migration assessment outcome from the assessing authority.
Skill assessment for accounting requirements
For a favourable assessment outcome, the following criteria must be met:
- Qualification– A degree assessed as equivalent to an Australian bachelor’s degree.
- Competency Areas– Completion of all mandatory competency areas relevant to the chosen ANZSCO code.
- English Proficiency– Fulfilment of the English language requirement.
Degree and Competency Requirements
For the general skills assessment, a qualification equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree is required.
For the provisional assessment, an Australian Bachelor or a 12-unit master’s degree in accounting, business, commerce, or economics is necessary. Moreover, qualifications must cover all mandatory competency areas pertinent to the selected ANZSCO code.
Competency Areas for ANZSCO Codes
Each ANZSCO code has a set of mandatory and optional competency areas:
For Accountant (General) 221111, Corporate Treasurer 221212, Finance Manager 132211, and Management Accountant 221112
| Mandatory Competency Areas | Optional Competency Areas |
| Accounting Systems and Processes | Audit and Assurance |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting | Taxation Law |
| Management Accounting | |
| Finance and Financial Management | |
| Business Law | |
| Economics | |
| Quantitative Methods |
For Taxation Accountant 221113
| Mandatory Competency Areas | Optional Competency Areas |
| Accounting Systems and Processes | Audit and Assurance |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting | |
| Management Accounting | |
| Finance and Financial Management | |
| Business Law | |
| Economics | |
| Quantitative Methods | |
| Australian Taxation Law |
For External Auditor skill assessment 221213
| Mandatory Competency Areas | Optional Competency Areas |
| Accounting Systems and Processes | Taxation Law |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting | |
| Management Accounting | |
| Finance and Financial Management | |
| Business Law | |
| Economics | |
| Quantitative Methods | |
| Audit and Assurance |
English Language Requirements for Skill assessment
The recognized English proficiency tests and minimum scores vary between the general skills assessment and the provisional assessment:
General Skills Assessment
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
| CAE* | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 |
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 24 | 24 | 27 | 23 |
| PTE Academic | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
Provisional Assessment
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
| CAE* | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| IELTS | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 12 | 13 | 21 | 18 |
| PTE Academic | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
*CPA Australia only recognizes CAE tests taken on or after January 1, 2015.
How long it takes to get skill assessment for accounting?
The skill assessment duration varies based on the processing method chosen:
- Standard Processing Times: The processing time is approximately 25 business days.
- Fast Track Processing Times: This option, which is available only for full skills assessments, takes approximately 10 business days.
How long is CPA skills assessment valid for Australia?
CPA Skills assessment is valid for three years in Australia.
The Accountant Migration Skills Assessment is a vital requirement for accountants seeking to migrate.
It not only validates their qualifications and skills for employment but also fulfils a key criterion for skilled migration visa applications.
By understanding the assessment process, ANZSCO codes, competency requirements, and English language prerequisites, applicants can better navigate their migration journey.
Proper preparation and comprehension of these aspects ensure a smoother and more successful visa application process.
Ultimate migration, a migration agent in Perth, provides unparalleled guidance on skill assessment to assist you in achieving a positive outcome.
