CPA Australia skills assessment

CPA Australia assesses accounting and finance occupations for skilled migration. A suitable qualification assessment confirms that a qualification is equivalent to at least an Australian bachelor's degree, covers the required competencies for the occupation, and that the English requirement is met.

Updated 4 October 2026

Key facts

Assessment types: Qualification assessment (qualifications and English) and skilled employment assessment (needs a suitable qualification outcome). Provisional skills assessments stopped on 15 June 2024.
Qualification: A qualification assessed as equivalent to at least an Australian bachelor's degree, covering the mandatory competencies for the occupation. Taxation accountant needs study of Australian taxation law.
Experience (skilled employment assessment): Closely related to the assessed ANZSCO occupation, within 10 years before the application date, started after a bachelor's degree or equivalent, paid and continuous at a minimum of 20 hours a week, at least one year in total with at least three months per role.
English: A recognised test or the Accounting Professional Year Program. For example, IELTS Academic 7.0 in each skill, or for tests from 7 August 2025 PTE Academic Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 69, Speaking 76. Results are accepted for three years from the test date. Holders of passports from Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States are exempt.
Documents: Passport or national ID; English evidence if required; degree certificates and transcripts; professional body results if relevant; syllabus for non-accredited qualifications; for skilled employment, employer testimonials and at least three payslips per role. High-resolution colour scans of originals; certified copies are not accepted.
Fee: Qualification assessment AUD 565 (onshore) or AUD 514 (offshore); Fast Track AUD 675 or AUD 614; combined qualification and employment AUD 620 or AUD 564; skilled employment assessment AUD 260 or AUD 236 (as at 4 October 2026).
Processing time: Standard approximately 10 business days; Fast Track approximately 5 business days (qualification assessments only). CPA Australia says these times are indicative.
Validity: Three years from the date of the initial assessment outcome.
How to apply: Online through the CPA Australia migration application, using an existing CPA Australia account or a new one.

What CPA Australia assesses

CPA Australia assesses six accounting and finance occupations for skilled migration (Migration to Australia). The qualification assessment covers educational qualifications and English. The optional skilled employment assessment looks at work history and needs a suitable qualification outcome first.

Requirements

Qualification: equivalent to at least an Australian bachelor's degree, with the mandatory competencies for the occupation (Migration to Australia).
English: a recognised test or the Accounting Professional Year Program, with passport-based exemptions (English language proficiency).
Employment (if assessed): closely related, within 10 years, after the degree, at least 20 paid hours a week, at least one year in total (skilled employment assessment).

How to apply

Gather the required documents.
Log in to an existing CPA Australia account, or create one.
Start the application and pay the fee (how to apply).

Common reasons for delays or unsuitable outcomes

CPA Australia says applications without the required documents are delayed, and a pending application is deactivated if requested information is not received within 6 months (skills assessment services).

Common questions

What does CPA Australia assess?

Six accounting and finance occupations: Accountant (general), Management accountant, Taxation accountant, Corporate treasurer, External auditor and Finance manager. It offers a qualification assessment and a skilled employment assessment.

How long does a CPA Australia skills assessment take?

CPA Australia lists approximately 10 business days for standard processing and approximately 5 business days for Fast Track, which is only for qualification assessments. It says the times are indicative.

How much does a CPA Australia skills assessment cost?

A qualification assessment is AUD 565 onshore or AUD 514 offshore, as listed on 4 October 2026. Fast Track, combined and employment assessments cost different amounts.

How long is a CPA Australia skills assessment valid?

Three years from the date of the initial assessment outcome. After that a new application is needed.

What English score does CPA Australia need?

For IELTS Academic, 7.0 in each of the four skills. For PTE Academic tests from 7 August 2025, Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 69 and Speaking 76. Other tests and the Accounting Professional Year Program are also listed.