CPA Australia Skill Assessment is one of those steps that can either make or break your dream of building a career in Australia as an accounting professional. When I first came across this term, it sounded complicated and overwhelming. But once you understand how the process works, it becomes a lot easier to navigate.
In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know: what the CPA Australia Skill Assessment is, why it’s important, the eligibility requirements, and how you can prepare to get it right the first time. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to move forward confidently with your migration or career plans in Australia.
Table Of Content
1What is CPA Australia Skill Assessment?2CPA Skill Assessment Occupation list3CPA Australia Skill Assessment Requirements4How to Apply for CPA Skill Assessment5CPA Australia Skill Assessment Fee6CPA Australia Skill Assessment Processing Time7Conclusion8Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPA Australia Skill Assessment?
Think of the CPA Australia Skill Assessment as your official ticket to prove that your accounting qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards. If you’re planning to migrate under Australia’s skilled migration programs or want professional recognition as an accountant, this assessment is mandatory.
Here’s the simple version: CPA Australia reviews your academic qualifications, transcripts, and sometimes your work experience, to check if they align with the professional benchmarks required in Australia. Once you pass, you get a positive outcome — which means you’re eligible to apply for skilled visas like the 189, 190, or 491, or even pursue further studies and career opportunities.
In short, it’s not just a formality. It’s the validation that tells Australian authorities: Yes, you’re skilled enough to work as an accountant here.
CPA Skill Assessment Occupation list
Before you apply for the CPA Australia Skill Assessment, the first thing you should do is check if your job profile is actually on the approved occupation list. This list decides whether you’re eligible for skilled migration visas or not.
Here are the accounting occupations that CPA Australia assesses with ANZSCO codes:
1. Accountant (General) – ANZSCO 221111
2. Management Accountant – ANZSCO 221112
3. Taxation Accountant – ANZSCO 221113
4. External Auditor – ANZSCO 221213
5. Finance Manager – ANZSCO 132211
6. Corporate Treasurer – ANZSCO 221212
Pro tip : Don’t just pick an occupation randomly. Your degree, subjects studied, and work experience must align with the occupation code you’re applying for. Otherwise, your assessment may get rejected.
CPA Australia Skill Assessment Requirements
Okay, so now that you know which occupations are eligible, the big question is: what exactly do you need for the CPA Australian Skill Assessment?
Here’s the simple version:
1. Academic Qualifications
- You need a Bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting, finance, or a closely related field.
- Your degree should cover nine core knowledge areas (things like accounting systems, financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, business law, economics, etc.).
- If your degree doesn’t cover all nine areas, you may have to complete additional subjects before CPA Australia gives you a positive assessment.
2. English Language Requirement
- If you studied in a non-English-speaking country, you’ll likely need an IELTS (Academic) or equivalent test.
- Usually, a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 in each band is required.
3. Work Experience (for some visas)
- While not mandatory for the assessment itself, having relevant work experience strengthens your profile and may be required if you’re applying for certain skilled visas.
4. Membership Pathway
- You must be eligible for (or already hold) membership with CPA Australia, CA ANZ, or IPA.
- This is basically how the Australian authorities make sure you’re professionally recognized.
In short: The more complete your documents and qualifications are, the smoother your skill assessment process will be. Missing transcripts or not covering all core subjects is one of the biggest reasons applications get delayed or rejected.
Before applying, compare your degree subjects with the nine CPA core knowledge areas. If there’s a gap, fix it upfront instead of waiting for a rejection.
How to Apply for CPA Skill Assessment
Applying for the CPA Australia Skill Assessment might look complicated at first, but if you know the exact steps, it’s actually pretty straightforward. Whether you’re a new applicant or already a CPA Australia member,here’s the complete process:
Step 1: Create Your Account
- If you’re a new applicant, head over to the CPA Australia website and create an account using your personal details and email.
- If you’re an existing member or have applied before (even if your assessment expired), use your old account to log in.
Step 2: Get Your Documents Ready
This is the most important step : missing documents = delays. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Passport or National ID (photo page)
- English test results (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL) or Professional Year Program certificate
- Academic certificates + full transcripts
- Course syllabus (if your degree isn’t accredited)
- Professional membership certificates (if applicable)
- Employment references (if applying for a skilled employment assessment)
- Verification report (for Chinese degrees)
- Translations of non-English documents (with originals)
- Third-party authorization form (if using an agent/representative)
Pro tip: Scan everything clearly and name the files properly. Messy uploads are one of the top reasons assessments get delayed.
Step 3: Submit Online
- Log in to the CPA Australia portal.
- Start a new application or add to an existing one (for example, if you want to be assessed for a different Australia ANZSCO code).
- Upload your documents exactly as instructed.
Step 4: Pay the Fees
- Pay the assessment fee online via the portal.
- Your application won’t move forward until payment is received.
Step 5: Review Process
- CPA Australia will review your documents.
- If they need more info, they’ll contact you through the portal or email.
- You can track your application status by logging in anytime.
Step 6: Get Your Outcome
- If everything is in order, you’ll receive your skills assessment outcome letter.
- Normal processing takes 6–10 weeks (faster if your documents are complete and clear).
Final Tip: Treat your application like a professional project. The cleaner and more complete your documents, the faster you’ll get your outcome and the sooner you can move ahead with your visa or migration plans.
CPA Australia Skill Assessment Fee
Applying for a CPA Australia Skills Assessment isn’t free, you’ll need to budget for assessment and (if needed) fast-track or additional services.
Here is a quick look at CPA Australia Skills Assessment fees:
| Assessment Type | Onshore (AUD) | Offshore (AUD) | Singapore (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification assessment | $565 | $514 | $560 |
| Fast Track – Qualification assessment | $675 | $614 | $669 |
| Combined assessment – Qualification + Skilled employment | $620 | $564 | $615 |
| Qualification assessment – Additional ANZSCO | $260 | $236 | $257 |
| Fast Track – Qualification assessment Additional ANZSCO | $310 | $282 | $307 |
| Skilled employment assessment | $260 | $236 | $257 |
| Combined assessment – Qualification + Skilled employment – Additional ANZSCO | $350 | $318 | $347 |
| Qualification assessment – Update | $185 | $168 | $183 |
| Skilled employment assessment – Update | $185 | $168 | $183 |
| Review (appeal) | $185 | $168 | $183 |
| Administration fee (withdrawal, reissue, etc.) | $85 | $77 | $84 |
Effective 1 May 2025, CPA Australia has introduced updates to its products and services. These changes are part of their commitment to continuously improve quality, streamline processes, and enhance the overall customer experience.
CPA Australia Skill Assessment Processing Time
The time it takes to complete your skills assessment depends on how complete and accurate your application is. On average, processing takes:
Standard Processing: 6–10 weeks from the date CPA Australia receives a complete application with all required documents.
Fast-Track Option: 2–4 weeks (available at an additional fee).
Additional Assessments (e.g., extra Australia ANZSCO code or employment assessment): May extend timelines depending on complexity and document verification.
At the end of the day, your processing time is in your hands. A clean, complete, and well-prepared application almost always means fewer delays and faster results. So, if you’re serious about Australia immigration as an accountant, invest that extra time upfront in organizing your documents. Trust me, it’ll save you weeks later.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a crystal-clear picture of what the CPA Australia Skill Assessment is, why it matters, and how to ace it without unnecessary delays. Think of it as the golden key that unlocks your accounting career in Australia, whether that’s through skilled migration, better job opportunities, or professional recognition.
The truth is, this process isn’t rocket science. It’s about preparation, attention to detail, and knowing exactly what CPA Australia expects from you. If your documents are clean, your qualifications line up with the requirements, and you plan your application smartly, there’s no reason you can’t walk away with a positive outcome.
So here’s my advice: Don’t try to figure this all out alone. The official CPA Australia can guide you through the process.
If you’re serious about starting your accounting career in Australia, get in touch with the Australia immigration experts at CanApprove. They’ve guided hundreds of professionals like you through the process — and your success story could be next.
