Background: What is a qualifications assessment?

The Institute of Public Accountants is one of three professional bodies gazetted by DIAC to complete qualifications assessments for the ANZSCO code occupations of Accountant (General), External Auditor, Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant, Finance Manager and Corporate Treasurer.  The other gazetted authorities are CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.  Please note that all bodies use the same criteria when completing a qualifications assessment.

The Australian accounting profession is largely self-regulated.  Accountants do not need to be registered unless they are a tax agent, an auditor of a public company or a large proprietary limited company, a registered liquidator or a licensed financial advisor.

In addition, it is not necessary to join an Australian professional accounting body.  However, employers and clients generally prefer to use, promote or engage accountants who are members of an Australian professional accounting body.

Please also note that whilst the application form for a qualifications assessment asks for evidence of membership of a professional body, this does not mean you must be a member of a professional body in order to apply for a qualifications assessment.

To meet the educational standards for any of the above ANZSCO code occupations you must have your educational qualification (with a sequence in accounting or relevant field) assessed by the IPA as comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree.  For a positive assessment, your comparable qualification must include adequate coverage of at least 9 of 12 core curriculum areas, including the four mandatory core requirements in your nominated occupation.

These core curriculum areas are:

These studies must be assessed as similar in both content and standard as the studies completed in an Australian Bachelor degree. If the content is assessed as comparable, you will be positively assessed in that core area of study. This comparison is completed for each of the 12 core curriculum areas noted above.

This qualifications assessment relates only to accounting qualifications.

The General Skilled Migration booklet (form 1119) is available from Australian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates or from the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI) and provides important information. You should examine this booklet carefully before applying for the assessment of your accounting qualifications.

The IPA is concerned only with the assessment of your qualification(s). The IPA does not advise on other immigration issues.

WHO MUST LODGE A QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT?

Assessments may be lodged by either onshore or offshore applicants.
Onshore applicants and offshore applicants have different obligations and must provide different forms of evidence.

WHO WILL BE AN ONSHORE APPLICANT?

You will be classified and assessed as an Onshore Applicant if you are currently

1. an international student studying in Australia
2. on a student visa and
3. this qualifications assessment is  to enable you to lodge your application with DIAC for a Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485) or a GSM application.

WHO WILL BE AN OFFSHORE APPLICANT?

You will be classified and assessed as an Offshore Applicant if you

1. currently reside outside Australia and
2. hold overseas qualifications or an Australian award.

PROCESSING TIME

The current turnaround times for assessments are:

1. Standard: 2-4 weeks
2. Fast Track 30: A guaranteed 30-hour turnaround for applications lodged and collected in person at our National Office in Melbourne.
3. Fast Track 5: Five business days from the date of receipt of the postal application