IPA skills assessment: requirements and how to apply

Key facts

Assessment types: Qualification assessment, skilled employment assessment, and a Priority (fast-track) service.
Qualification: Comparable to a relevant Australian Bachelor's degree or higher, with a major in accounting or a relevant field, covering the required core competency areas. Only a full 12 to 16 unit Master of Professional Accounting from an accredited Australian university, without exemptions, is accepted as equivalent. Taxation Accountant needs completed studies in Australian Tax Law.
Experience (skilled employment assessment): Closely related to the assessed ANZSCO occupation, within the last ten years, after a qualification equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree, paid at market rate and continuous for at least 20 hours a week (averages not accepted), at least one year in total with at least three months per role.
English: A completed English test. For tests from 7 August 2025: IELTS Academic 7.0 in each skill; PTE Academic Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 69, Speaking 76. Tests must be within the past three years.
Documents: Passport ID page, degree certificates, official transcripts, syllabus for study outside Australia, English test results, and name-change evidence if relevant. Skilled employment also needs references, contracts, tax returns and payslips. Clear colour copies; certification is not required.
Fee: Standard qualification assessment AUD 595; Priority qualification assessment AUD 795; skilled employment AUD 300; Priority skilled employment AUD 795; qualification reassessment within 12 months AUD 235 (as at 4 October 2026).
Processing time: Standard: 10 business days. Priority: 2 business days.
Validity: Three years from the date of the assessment.
How to apply: Click Apply Now, enter contact details and pay, then log in to the IPA secure portal with a one-time password to complete the application. Email applications are not accepted.

What the IPA assesses

The Institute of Public Accountants is approved by the Department of Home Affairs to assess a range of accounting occupations (migration assessments). A 'Suitable' letter is issued when a qualification is at the right level and meets the compulsory core competency areas.

Requirements

Qualification: comparable to an Australian Bachelor's degree or higher, with the core competency areas for the occupation (qualification assessments).
English: a completed English test with the listed minimum scores (fees and processes).
Employment (if assessed): closely related, within ten years, after the degree, at least 20 paid hours a week, at least one year in total (skilled employment assessments).

How to apply

The IPA describes these steps on its apply now page:

Choose the service (Standard or Priority) and gather the documents.
Enter contact details and pay, then log in to the secure portal with the one-time password.
The IPA acknowledges the application by email with a tax invoice and ID number, and may ask for more documents.
The outcome letter is sent by email through a DocuSign link.

Common reasons for delays or unsuitable outcomes

The IPA says an assessment cannot be completed until all required documents are received, and that false or fraudulent information leads to an unsuitable outcome and a report to Home Affairs (fees and processes).

Common questions

What does the IPA assess?

Six accounting occupations for skilled migration: Accountant (General), Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant, Corporate Treasurer, External Auditor and Finance Manager. It offers qualification and skilled employment assessments.

How long does an IPA skills assessment take?

The IPA lists 10 business days for standard applications and 2 business days for its Priority service.

How much does an IPA skills assessment cost?

A standard qualification assessment is AUD 595 and a Priority one is AUD 795, as listed on 4 October 2026.

How long is an IPA skills assessment valid?

Three years from the date of the assessment. After that, a new application is lodged using the same IPA reference number.

Can the IPA assess employment if another body assessed my qualification?

No. The IPA says the skilled employment assessment must be done by the same body that assessed the qualification.

IPA skills assessment