Accounting is one of Australia's consistently in-demand occupations. Here's which visa pathways are open to accountants and what skills assessment and points score you need.
Can Accountants Migrate to Australia in 2027?
Yes — accounting is one of Australia's most consistently in-demand professions for skilled migration. Accountants appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which means access to the full range of Australian skilled visa pathways including the Subclass 189 permanent residency visa.
Which Accounting Roles Qualify?
Australian immigration distinguishes between different accounting roles by their ANZSCO code:
Accountant (General) — 221111: Broad accounting role, most flexible
Management Accountant — 221112: Focused on financial planning and analysis
Taxation Accountant — 221113: Tax-specialised roles
External Auditor — 221213: Audit function
Company Secretary — 221214: Governance roles
All of these appear on the MLTSSL. Your experience and qualifications need to align with the ANZSCO definition of your nominated role.
Which Organisation Assesses Accountants?
Three bodies assess accountants for Australian immigration:
CPA Australia — for members or applicants whose qualifications align with the CPA program structure Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) — for CA-pathway qualifications Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) — for general accounting qualifications
Each has slightly different assessment criteria and accepts qualifications from different countries. The key is matching your qualifications to the right assessing body. An NWI migration adviser will confirm which body is appropriate for your specific qualification background.
What Points Score Do Accountants Typically Need?
Accounting is a competitive occupation in SkillSelect because it is popular and the occupation consistently attracts many applicants. Recent invitation rounds have seen scores in the 85–95 range. Applicants scoring below 80 typically wait significantly longer or pursue the 190 nomination route to boost their score.
To build a competitive score:
Age 25–32: Maximum age benefit of 30 points
English at Superior level (IELTS 8.0): 20 points for English
5–7 years work experience: 10 points
Bachelor's degree: 15 points
Total: 75 points, plus any additional factors
Adding state nomination (5 points), partner skills (10 points), or a Professional Year (5 points) can push this above 85.
Do I Need to Be a CPA or CA to Apply?
You do not need to be a member of a professional body to migrate, but your qualifications need to be assessed as equivalent to Australian accounting standards. Many South African-trained accountants with SAICA, CIMA, or similar credentials have successful assessments — the key is presenting your qualifications and work history accurately and completely.
What Visa Options Are Open to Accountants?
Subclass 189: Independent permanent residency, no sponsor needed
Subclass 190: State-nominated permanent residency (+5 points)
Subclass 491: Regional provisional, +15 points, pathway to PR
Subclass 482: Employer-sponsored temporary visa (MLTSSL pathway, up to 4 years)
Subclass 186: Employer-nominated permanent residency
Most accounting clients at NWI pursue the 189 or 190 pathway. Those with an Australian employer may combine a 482 work visa with a skills migration EOI simultaneously.