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If you are an overseas-trained accountant, auditor, taxation professional, or finance specialist planning to migrate to Australia, the CPA Skills Assessment is an essential requirement before you can proceed with your skilled visa application. CPA Australia is one of the Australian Government-approved assessing authorities responsible for evaluating accounting occupations under the skilled migration program. A positive assessment outcome confirms that your qualifications meet Australian academic standards for your nominated ANZSCO occupation and is required before lodging an Expression of Interest with the Department of Home Affairs.
The assessment process carefully reviews your academic subjects, degree structure, and accounting competency areas to determine whether they align with Australian requirements. Missing accounting subjects, incorrect documentation, or incomplete evidence can delay your application or lead to an unsuccessful result.
At CDR Australia Engineer, we support accounting professionals from over 40 countries by checking eligibility, reviewing qualifications, preparing compliant documents, and helping applicants avoid common mistakes before submission.
The CPA Skills Assessment is a formal evaluation undertaken by CPA Australia to determine whether your overseas accounting qualifications and English language proficiency meet Australian industry standards for your chosen occupation. It is necessary for employer-sponsored visas involving accounting occupations as well as points-tested skilled migration visas.
The assessment evaluates three core criteria degree comparability, mandatory competency area coverage, and English language proficiency. All three must be satisfied for a positive outcome. If your qualification is on CPA Australia’s accredited course list, competency coverage is assumed and no syllabus is required. If it is not on the list, a detailed subject syllabus must be submitted to demonstrate coverage of all mandatory areas for your nominated ANZSCO code.
A positive CPA Skills Assessment outcome is required for overseas-trained accounting and finance professionals applying for the following Australian visa subclasses:
CPA Australia assesses the following ANZSCO occupations:
Occupation | ANZSCO Code |
Accountant (General) | 221111 |
Management Accountant | 221112 |
Taxation Accountant | 221113 |
External Auditor | 221213 |
Corporate Treasurer | 221212 |
Finance Manager | 132211 |
All six occupations are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), making them eligible for the Subclass 189 independent visa pathway, one of the most sought-after permanent migration routes. You can only hold one valid positive skills assessment outcome with CPA Australia at any time. If you change your ANZSCO code through a review, your previous outcome becomes invalid. Choose your occupation code carefully before applying.
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Core areas required (most accounting occupations):
Occupation-specific requirements:
Mandatory for all applicants — no exemptions apply. Accepted tests and minimum scores (updated 7 August 2025):
Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
IELTS Academic only | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
PTE Academic | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
Cambridge C1 Advanced | 175 | 179 | 193 | 194 |
TOEFL iBT | 22 | 22 | 26 | 24 |
Test results must be valid at the time your assessment outcome is issued — not just at the time of application. Results are valid for three years from the test date. At-home and online tests are not accepted.
TOEFL iBT note: Tests taken between 26 July 2023 and 5 May 2024 cannot be accepted. Verify your test date before submitting.
All documents must be uploaded as separate, correctly named files through the CPA Australia migration portal. Do not combine multiple documents into a single PDF unless a specific field requests it. Incomplete or incorrectly prepared submissions are placed on hold — which delays processing beyond the standard timeframe.
Step 1: Confirm Your ANZSCO Code and Assessing Authority
Verify that your chosen occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List with CPA Australia listed as an approved assessing authority. Check the Department of Home Affairs website to confirm your visa subclass requires a skills assessment.
Step 2: Check Your Qualification
Use CPA Australia’s accredited course search tool to determine whether your degree is on the formally accredited list. A comprehensive subject syllabus covering all units studied should be obtained from your university if it is not on the list. This is necessary for competency area verification.
Step 3: Prepare and Certify Your Documents
Gather all required documents and have non-English documents NAATI-translated. Certify copies of your degree and transcripts to the required standard. Ensure your English test results are within the three-year validity window at the expected date of your outcome.
Step 4: Create Your Account and Submit Online
Register on the CPA Australia migration portal. Complete the online application form, select your ANZSCO code and assessment type, upload all documents as separate correctly named files, and pay the applicable fee.
Step 5: Respond to Any Requests for Additional Information
If CPA Australia requires additional documents or clarification, your application will be placed on hold until the information is received. Respond promptly as delays in responding directly extend your processing time.
Step 6: Receive Your Outcome
A positive outcome confirms your qualification is suitable for your nominated ANZSCO code. The outcome is valid for three years from the date of issue. Once you have a positive outcome, you can submit your Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.
From 1 May 2025, CPA Australia revised its product names and introduced a location-based fee structure. Onshore applicants pay 10% GST on top of base fees. Offshore applicants are GST-exempt. All fees are non-refundable once preliminary assessment work has commenced.
Service | Onshore Applicants (AUD) | Offshore Applicants (AUD) |
Qualification assessment | $565 | $514 |
Fast Track – Qualification assessment | $675 | $614 |
Combined assessment – Qualification and skilled employment | $620 | $564 |
Qualification assessment – Additional ANZSCO | $260 | $236 |
Fast Track – Qualification assessment Additional ANZSCO | $310 | $282 |
Skilled employment assessment | $260 | $236 |
Combined assessment – Qualification and skilled employment – Additional ANZSCO | $350 | $318 |
Qualification assessment – Update | $185 | $168 |
Skilled employment assessment – Update | $185 | $168 |
Review | $185 | $168 |
Administration fee | $85 | $77 |
Important Information
Processing Time & Fast-Track Option
The CPA Skills Assessment involves three interdependent criteria: degree comparability, competency coverage, and English proficiency, each of which can independently cause an unsuccessful outcome. The May 2025 fee restructure, the August 2025 English test score changes, and the competency differences between ANZSCO codes make correct preparation essential.
Our team at CDRAustraliaEngineer reviews your qualifications, identifies competency gaps, and prepares a complete, correctly organized application before you commit to any fees.
✔ Free eligibility check correct ANZSCO code, correct assessing body
✔ Accredited course review before you apply
✔ Competency gap analysis (Taxation (221113) and Audit (221213))
✔ English test requirements guidance
✔ Document preparation and formatting standards
✔ Skilled Employment Assessment support (reference and payslip)
✔ Post-outcome support review and reapplication assistance
No. CPA Australia membership is not required. The migration skills assessment is open to any eligible applicant regardless of professional membership status.
You can apply to either body but only one valid positive outcome is permitted with CPA Australia at any time. Applying to multiple bodies is permitted but strategically unnecessary for most applicants. We confirm the most appropriate body for your qualification background.
You must provide a detailed subject syllabus covering all mandatory competency areas for your nominated ANZSCO code. Without it, CPA Australia cannot assess competency coverage, and the application will be put on hold or result in an unsuccessful outcome.
Only for Taxation Accountant (221113). For this code, the taxation law study must cover Australian — not overseas — tax law. If your qualification covers only overseas taxation, consider applying under Accountant (General) 221111 instead.
Three years from the date of issue. You cannot renew it if it expires before you lodge your visa application, you must reapply in full.
Yes. CPA Australia offers Fast-Track processing, which prioritizes assignment to an assessor within 20 business days. Outcome time still depends on document quality and completeness. An additional fee applies.
Free consultation & document collection.
ANZSCO code & category assessment.
Expert CDR writing by engineers.
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Delivery + free revisions support.
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