What Is the Accountants Skills Assessment?
Unlike most professions where a single body handles the skills assessment, accounting has three authorised assessing authorities, all approved by the Australian Department of Home Affairs:
- Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) — one of Australia's oldest accounting bodies, established in 1923.
- CPA Australia — the Certified Practising Accountants body, with a large global membership and a strong management and commercial orientation.
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) — the chartered accountants body, technically focused for audit and tax specialists.
All three assess the same six accounting occupations. You can choose the body that best matches your qualification background, budget, and timeline.
Who Needs This Assessment?
Any accounting professional applying for a points-tested skilled visa, including Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated), or Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional), must hold a valid positive skills assessment before submitting an Expression of Interest. It is also required for employer-sponsored pathways including Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) and Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa).
A positive skills assessment is valid for three years from the date of issue.
Occupations Assessed
Core Assessment Requirements
1. Qualification Comparability: Your overseas degree must be assessed as comparable to at least an Australian Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7), with a major sequence in accounting or a closely related field.
2. Core Competency Areas: Your degree must cover the compulsory core competency areas required for your nominated occupation.
3. English Language Proficiency
Following are the standard minimum scores required for the assessment.
| Test Component | Pearson (PTE) Academic | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | Cambridge (CAE) | CELPIP General | Michigan English Test (MET) | LanguageCert Academic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 58 | 7 | 22 | 175 | 9 | 61 | 67 |
| Reading | 59 | 7 | 22 | 179 | 8 | 63 | 71 |
| Writing | 69 | 7 | 26 | 193 | 10 | 74 | 78 |
| Speaking | 76 | 7 | 24 | 194 | 8 | 59 | 82 |
Test results are typically valid for three years from the test date.
Exemption: Passport holders of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, or United States of America may be exempt from English testing where the selected authority's rules permit.
Processing Time
| Body | Standard | Fast-Track / Express |
|---|---|---|
| IPA | 7 business days | 1–2 business days |
| CPA Australia | 15–20 business days | 10 business days (Fast Track) |
| CAANZ | 10 business days (Qualification only) | 5 business days (Express) |
Processing times exclude the initial completeness check and apply only once all documents and payment are received. Volumes and holiday closures can extend these estimates.
IPA — Skills Assessment Fees (indicative)
| Service | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Standard Qualification Assessment | $595 |
| Priority Qualification Assessment | $795 |
| Skilled Employment Assessment | $300 |
| Priority Skilled Employment Assessment | $795 |
| Update / Review Application | $235 |
| Qualification Reassessment (within 12 months) | $235 |
| Qualification Reassessment (over 12 months) | $595 |
| Priority Reassessment | $795 |
Accountants — Skills Assessment Fee Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate skills assessment fees for accounting occupations. Fees vary by assessing body, applicant location, and any fast-track or express service selected. All fees shown are in Australian Dollars (AUD).
Your Estimated Fees
Offshore applicants: GST-exempt.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on current fee schedules published by IPA, CPA Australia, and CAANZ. Fees are set and collected by the respective assessing bodies and may change at any time.