CPA Australia, CA ANZ or IPA: Which Accounting Body for Migration?
To lodge a skilled migration application as an accountant (ANZSCO 221111), you need a skills assessment result from one of the three bodies recognised by Home Affairs: CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). All three are valid for migration purposes, but each has its own process and characteristics.
The three recognised assessing bodies
CPA Australia is a popular choice among accountants from Asia, including those from Vietnam, China, India and the Philippines. It has a broad membership network and a well-standardised application assessment process.
Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) was formed through the merger of the ICAA (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia) and NZICA. CA ANZ is highly regarded in the corporate environment and among the Big 4, but joining the body usually requires additional internal training programs.
IPA (Institute of Public Accountants) is better suited to accountants working in public accounting — that is, those working for small and medium-sized businesses, independent accounting practices or tax advisory firms. The IPA’s assessment fee is lower than that of the other two bodies.
Comparing fees and processing times
| Criteria | CPA Australia | CA ANZ | IPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment fee | Varies — check the body’s site | Comparable | Lower |
| Processing time | 4–8 weeks | 4–8 weeks | Similar |
| Suited to | Asian accountants, multi-sector | Corporate, Big 4 | Public accounting, SME |
Note that the assessment fee here is the fee for migration purposes (the immigration skills assessment), not the annual membership fee — these are two separate charges. The accounting body’s assessment fee (CPA/CA ANZ/IPA) varies; check the current fee schedule on the website of the body you choose.
Assessment criteria
All three bodies assess applications on two main factors:
Academic qualifications: A bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting or finance. The assessment panel will examine the units in your program to confirm sufficient foundational knowledge (core accounting units). If your qualification does not include enough accounting units as required, you may be asked to complete additional study.
Work experience: Usually a minimum of one to two years of practical experience in the accounting profession is required. Experience needs to be confirmed by letters from employers, specific job descriptions and supporting documentation.
There is no mandatory exam in the skills assessment process — it is purely a documentary review of your file.
How to choose a body
The simplest principle is: if you are already a member of one body, choose that body. Applying through the body where you already hold membership is usually smoother because they already have your records.
If you are not yet a member of any body, consider the following:
- If you are aiming to work in large companies, multinational corporations or the Big 4, CA ANZ may be a better fit for long-term professional reputation.
- If you want a faster, lower-cost assessment, particularly in public accounting or tax advisory, IPA is a reasonable choice.
- CPA Australia suits the majority of cases, especially if you graduated from a university in Asia and work in general accounting.
Which visas the assessment result can be used for
A skills assessment result from any of the three bodies above is accepted for:
- Subclass 190 (state-nominated) and Subclass 491 (regional-nominated): Accountant 221111 can be nominated if the state has demand and you meet the EOI points.
- Subclass 482 (temporary skill-based work): A skills assessment is required when the employer is not an accredited sponsor, or as required by the specifics of an individual case.
The accounting occupation ANZSCO 221111 is currently not on the CSOL and is not eligible for Subclass 189 (independent, no nomination required). This is an important point to note when planning a visa pathway.
The application process
Whichever body you choose, the assessment process generally involves the following steps:
- Create an online account on the body’s portal
- Submit certified copies of your qualifications
- Submit your academic transcripts
- Submit employment evidence
- Pay the assessment fee
- Wait for the result within 4–8 weeks
A skills assessment result is usually valid for three years from the date of issue. If you have not lodged an EOI or obtained a visa within this period, you may need to renew or have a fresh assessment.