If you wish to study in Australia, your skills will need to be assessed and compared to the Australian equivalent. The Institute of Chartered Accountants is authorised by the Australian Government to do this.

Every country has different education processes and measurements. So, if you wish to study the Chartered Accountants Program in Australia, it’s important that we make sure you have the appropriate qualifications.

This process is called the Skills assessment for migration.

For the occupations of accountant, finance manager, accountant-corporate treasurer and accountant-external auditor, the Institute is authorised to carry out the necessary skills assessment.

1. How we assess you
2. How much it costs
3. Automatic assessment for the Chartered Accountants Program
4. Skilled Migration Internship Program

How we assess you

We assess applications for all occupations based on academic and professional qualifications that are equivalent to an Australian Bachelor's degree.

We also compare these with the Assessment Levels which the Department of Immigration and Citizenship has assigned to each country, across each education sector.

We then look at the following core knowledge areas:

• Accounting systems and processes
• Corporate accounting and reporting
• Accounting theory, professional and regulatory processes
• Cost and management accounting
• Finance
• Auditing and assurance
• Legal framework and commercial law
• Corporations law
• Taxation law
• Information systems design and development
• Economics (micro and macro)
• Quantitative methods

You will need to provide evidence of your skills in at least 9 out of the 12 core knowledge areas listed above.

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How much it costs

The Institute offers a two tiered pricing structure for assessments for the purpose of migration

• $395 for half the advertised processing time
• Or $350 for the stated processing time.

The current processing time is 2-4 weeks for overseas applications, and 1-2 weeks for members of recognised overseas bodies.

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Automatic assessment for the Program

As part of your skills assessment with the Institute, you will be automatically assessed for candidature to the Program.

Your full assessment fee will be refunded once you are employed in Australia in an accounting job and enrolled in your first module of the Program.

To find out more, visit our Migration Assessment section.

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Skilled Migration Internship Program

The Skilled Migration Internship Program - Accounting (SMIPA) is a professional year program approved by the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC). It is available to overseas students who have obtained an Australian accounting qualification as a result of at least two years study in Australia. The SMIPA program has been co-developed by the Institute, CPA Australia and National Institute of Accountants and is delivered by registered providers who have been jointly approved by all three professional accounting bodies.

The SMIPA program involves:

• a minimum of 44 weeks training including a 12-week internship placement with a relevant host company
• professional development and practical hands-on learning with an emphasis on workplace preparation - culture, ethics and expectations
• recognition as a pathway for 485 Graduate Visa holders seeking permanent residency under General Skilled Migration

As a professional program approved by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), successful completion of the SMIPA program may attract additional points under the General Skilled Migration points test.

Further information: Skilled Migration Internship Program – Accounting

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