Last updated: 1 April 2026

Australia PR for Accountants: Complete Pathway Guide

Accounting is one of the most popular occupations for Australian permanent residency applications. It is also one of the most competitive. As a pro-rata occupation, accountants face higher invitation cutoffs than non-pro-rata occupations, which means a strategic approach to points, state nomination, and timing is essential.

This guide covers the full PR pathway for accountants: ANZSCO codes, skills assessment through CPA Australia, CA ANZ, or IPA, visa options, points strategy, state nomination opportunities, costs, and a realistic step-by-step process.

Can Accountants Get Australia PR?

Yes, but accountants face a more competitive landscape than many other occupations. Accounting occupations are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), making them eligible for the subclass 189 visa, subclass 190 visa, subclass 491 visa, and subclass 186 employer-sponsored visa. However, accounting is classified as a pro-rata occupation, which means the Department of Home Affairs distributes invitations proportionally across the year rather than issuing them in large batches.

The practical effect of pro-rata allocation is that invitation cutoffs for accountants are significantly higher than the 65-point minimum. In recent program years, accountants have typically needed 85 to 95 points for a 189 invitation. This is achievable but requires strategic planning: maximising your English score, accumulating Australian work experience, completing a Professional Year, and potentially securing state nomination for the 190 pathway where the 5 additional points can be decisive.

Accountants who cannot reach the 189 threshold often find the 190 state-nominated pathway or the 186 employer-sponsored pathway more practical. Both are well-established routes to PR for accounting professionals.

ANZSCO Codes for Accountants

All three accounting ANZSCO codes are on the MLTSSL. The code you nominate should match your actual role and qualifications.

Most overseas-qualified accountants nominate 221111 (Accountant General) unless their role is specifically in management accounting or taxation. The visa pathways and state nomination eligibility are the same across all three codes. Your skills assessment body will determine the appropriate code based on your qualifications and work experience.

Which Visa Pathway Suits Accountants?

The competitive nature of accounting means choosing the right pathway is critical. Here is how the options compare for accountants specifically.

For accountants with fewer than 85 points, the subclass 190 is often the most practical PR pathway. State nomination adds 5 points and places you in a state-specific pool where competition may be lower than the national 189 pool. The subclass 491 regional pathway adds 15 points through nomination, making it accessible for accountants with lower base scores who are willing to work in regional areas.

The employer-sponsored subclass 186 route is increasingly popular among accountants already working in Australia. If your employer is willing to sponsor you, this pathway avoids the pro-rata competition entirely.

Skills Assessment for Accountants

Three bodies assess accountants for migration purposes. All three assess against the same standards; the choice is a matter of professional preference.

You can read more about the process in our CPA Australia skills assessment guide.

What the assessment evaluates:

The assessing body checks whether your qualifications cover the core knowledge areas required for Australian accounting practice. These typically include:

• Accounting systems and processes
• Financial accounting and reporting
• Management accounting
• Finance and financial management
• Business law
• Economics
• Quantitative methods
• Audit and assurance
• Taxation law

If your degree does not cover all core areas, you may need to complete bridging subjects through an Australian university or registered provider. This adds 3 to 12 months depending on how many subjects are required.

Documentation required:

• Certified copies of all accounting qualifications and academic transcripts
• Subject outlines or syllabus for each unit completed
• Employment references on company letterhead detailing accounting duties
• English language test results
• Passport and identification documents

Points Estimate for Accountants

Because accounting is pro-rata, you need to build the highest possible points score. A typical accountant applicant profile and scoring.

The conservative profile at 70 points is unlikely to receive a 189 invitation but may succeed with state nomination through the 190. The competitive profile at 100 points is well above typical cutoffs for any pathway. Most successful accountant applicants fall somewhere in between, typically reaching 85 to 95 points through a combination of high English scores, Professional Year completion, and state nomination.

State Nomination Options for Accountants

Not all states nominate accountants, and those that do have varying requirements and competition levels.

South Australia and Tasmania are the most accessible states for accountants. SA has historically maintained accounting on its nomination list with lower points requirements than NSW or Victoria. Tasmania offers a pathway for accountants who study or work in the state. The ACT Canberra Matrix system ranks applicants and issues invitations based on a separate scoring system that considers local employment and length of residence.

Cost and Timeline

Accounting PR applications are a multi-year investment for many applicants, particularly if bridging subjects or a Professional Year are required.

The higher cost and longer timeline compared to some other occupations reflects the Professional Year investment, potential bridging subjects, and the need to build a competitive points score before lodging an EOI. Accountants who enter Australia on a 482 visa and transition through the 186 TRT stream face different costs (primarily the visa fee and employer cooperation) and a different timeline (2-3 years on the 482 plus processing).

Step-by-Step Process

1. Confirm your occupation is listed. Verify that your accounting role matches ANZSCO 221111, 221112, or 221113 on the MLTSSL. Check current pro-rata cutoffs to understand what points score you need.

2. Apply for skills assessment. Choose CPA Australia, CA ANZ, or IPA. Submit your qualifications, transcripts with subject outlines, and employment references. If bridging subjects are required, enrol and complete them before resubmitting.

3. Sit your English test. For accountants, Superior English (IELTS 8.0 / PTE 79 in each band) is strongly recommended. The 20 points for Superior versus 10 for Proficient is a significant advantage in a pro-rata occupation. Budget time for multiple attempts if necessary.

4. Complete a Professional Year if you are in Australia. The 5 points are often critical for accountants. Enrol through an approved provider and complete the 12-month program including the work placement component.

5. Consider NAATI CCL. If you speak a community language, the 5 additional points from the NAATI Credentialled Community Language test can further strengthen your score.

6. Calculate your points score. Be realistic about your total. If you are below 85 for the 189, focus on state nomination through the 190.

7. Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect. Select your visa subclass and nominated occupation. Update your EOI whenever your circumstances change (new English score, additional work experience, Professional Year completion).

8. Apply for state nomination if targeting the 190 or 491. Research which states currently have accounting on their nomination lists and meet their specific eligibility requirements.

9. Receive an invitation and lodge your visa application. Submit all supporting documents within 60 days. Include health checks and police clearances from all countries where you have lived.

10. Await visa grant. Continue accumulating Australian work experience while your application is processed. Notify the Department of any changes to your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What points score do accountants need for a 189 invitation? Accounting is a pro-rata occupation, which means invitations are distributed proportionally across invitation rounds. Historically, accountants have needed 85 to 95 points for a 189 invitation, significantly higher than the 65-point minimum. This makes the 190 state-nominated pathway more practical for many accountants, as the 5 additional points from nomination can be decisive.

Which skills assessment body should accountants use? You can choose from three bodies: CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), or the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). All three assess against the same ANZSCO codes. The choice typically depends on which professional membership you intend to pursue. CPA Australia is the most commonly used by overseas applicants.

Can accountants get PR through employer sponsorship? Yes. Accountants are eligible for the subclass 186 employer-sponsored visa through both the Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams. If you are working in Australia on a 482 visa for an accounting firm or in a corporate accounting role, your employer can sponsor you for the 186 after 2-3 years.

Is a Professional Year worth doing for accountants? For accountants targeting PR, the Professional Year is often essential. It adds 5 points that can push your score above the invitation cutoff. The accounting Professional Year also includes a 12-week work placement with an Australian employer. The cost is typically $10,000 to $15,000 and it takes 12 months to complete.

Do accountants need to be CPA or CA qualified for PR? No. You do not need to hold a CPA or CA designation to get PR. You need a positive skills assessment from one of the three assessing bodies, which evaluates whether your qualifications are equivalent to an Australian accounting degree.

Which states nominate accountants for the 190 visa? NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT have all nominated accountants in recent program years. Each state has different requirements. South Australia and Tasmania are generally more accessible with lower points thresholds.

How long does the accounting skills assessment take? CPA Australia typically processes full assessments in 8 to 12 weeks. CA ANZ and IPA have similar timelines. If your qualifications require additional evaluation, the process can take longer. Priority processing is available from CPA Australia for an additional fee.

Next Steps

• Australian permanent residency overview
• Australia PR requirements
• CPA Australia skills assessment guide
• Subclass 189 visa details
• Subclass 190 visa details
• Subclass 491 visa details
• Fastest way to get PR in Australia