FAQs - Onshore Applicants

1. I am an international student now completing degree studies in Australia at an Australian institution.  Will I be eligible for a 485 visa? Answer
2. Can I complete any 9 out of the 12 core knowledge areas? Answer
3. I do not know what ANZSCO code occupation to nominate. Will you provide assessment results for more than one ANZSCO code? Answer
4. I currently hold a 485 visa.  How much time will I have to meet the requirements for me to apply for Australian permanent residence (PR)? Answer
5. I have been granted a 485 visa.  Will I be eligible to lodge a PR application with DIAC? Answer
6. Who will verify that I have attained one of the two criteria necessary for the lodgement of my PR application with DIAC? Answer
7. How can I be sure that DIAC will accept my PR visa application? Answer
8. How do I obtain an updated assessment? Answer
9. Is there a fee for the second assessment? Answer
10. How long is the skills assessment valid for? Answer
11. I have already lodged my application for a migration skills assessment. Can I withdraw my application? Will I receive a refund? Answer
12. Can I act on behalf of a friend/relative who wishes to apply for assessment? Answer
13. I have received my assessment result but I am not sure what it means. Answer
14. Will the IPA accept documents certified by a registered migration agent? Answer
15. I do not agree with Institute of Public Accountants' assessment outcome and believe I have met the core requirement(s) in question and can provide further information to support my claim. What should I do? Answer

1. I am an international student now completing degree studies in Australia at an Australian institution.  Will I be eligible for a 485 visa?

From 1 July 2010 graduates of Australian accounting degree programs who receive an assessment showing they have:

• a formal qualification,
• completed at least 9 of the 12 core knowledge areas at tertiary level, and
• IELTS Academic or General Test Report Form (TRF) showing a band score of at least six in each of the four components
• will be able to use their qualifications assessments to apply for a 485 visa.

The IPA will only accept IELTS TRF that is not more than two years old from the test date shown on the TRF.

2. Can I complete any 9 out of the 12 core knowledge areas?

You will be required to complete at least 9 out of the 12 core knowledge areas at tertiary level. Each nominated occupation has 4 compulsory and 5 optional core knowledge areas. Please refer to the table below.

3. I do not know what ANZSCO code occupation to nominate. Will you provide assessment results for more than one ANZSCO code?

No. You must nominate the occupation that will also apply in your GSM application to DIAC.

You may change your nominated occupation at any time, including after the assessment. This change request must be made on a reassessment application form. A supporting documentation relating to qualifications must show evidence that you meet the four compulsory core requirements for the changed nominated occupation.

4. I currently hold a 485 visa.  How much time will I have to meet the requirements for me to apply for Australian permanent residence (PR)?

 The 485 visa period is 18 months.

5. I have been granted a 485 visa.  Will I be eligible to lodge a PR application with DIAC?

The 485 visa is the first step.

As part of the second step you will be eligible to apply for a permanent resident (PR) visa with DIAC if you provide evidence of:

• IELTS Academic Test Report Form (TRF); or
• satisfactory completion of the Skilled Migration Internship Program - Accounting (SMIPA).

6. Who will verify that I have met the criteria necessary for the lodgement of my PR visa application with DIAC?

You must submit your application to the same body responsible for your first assessment. Your PR application must include all supporting documents showing you have achieved either:

• IELTS Academic Test Report Form (TRF); or
• Satisfactorily completed the Skilled Migration Internship Program - Accounting (SMIPA).

7. How can I be sure that DIAC will accept my PR visa application?

The IPA has been advised by DIAC that graduates will be able to use this updated assessment to apply for general skilled migration (GSM).

8. How do I obtain an updated assessment? 

You will lodge an application with the IPA, who will issue an updated assessment that you are then able to provide to DIAC as evidence.

9. Is there a fee for the second assessment?

The fee for the updated assessment for permanent residence is AUD80.

10. How long is the skills assessment valid for?

A skills assessment is valid for a period of two years from the date of the assessment.

Successful appeal/reviews are valid for two years from the assessment outcome date.

11. I have already lodged my application for a migration skills assessment. Can I withdraw my application? Will I receive a refund?

Yes, you may request a withdrawal of your application. If we have not yet commenced your skills assessment you will be refunded the fee (less AUD30 administration fee). Please make your request in writing or via email to our Assessment Unit on migration@publicaccountants.org.au.

12. Can I act on behalf of a friend/relative who wishes to apply for an assessment?

Yes; the application form must indicate the address to which we send correspondence. It is the authorised person's responsibility to pass correspondence on to the applicant. You must provide a written authority to allow us to discuss details of the assessment with the authorised party.

13. I have received my assessment result but I am not sure what it means.

Correspondence from the Institute of Public Accountants in relation to your assessment covers the following areas:

• General Information: A brief background of the qualifications required for a positive assessment.
• Assessment advice: Advice on whether your qualifications are comparable to at least an Australian Bachelor degree and, if so, whether your qualifications include adequate coverage of at least 9 of the 12 core curriculum areas. If you do not meet the areas, the correspondence lists the further core requirements needed by you in order to meet requirements for a positive assessment.

The wording used has been approved by DIAC and AEI-NOOSR.
If the correspondence advises that your qualification is comparable to an Australian Bachelors degree, and you meet at least 9 out of the 12 core knowledge areas (including the four compulsory core requirements for your nominated occupation); you may use this qualifications assessment for your migration application.

14. Will the Institute of Public Accountants accept documents certified by an Australian registered migration agent?

Yes. Please note that the migration agent's signature, name, RMA number and date must also be clearly shown on every page.

15. I do not agree with Institute of Public Accountants' assessment outcome, believe I have met the core requirement(s) in question and can provide further information to support my claim. What should I do?

You are welcome to seek a reassessment and can forward these further documents for review in support of your claim. You will need to complete a reassessment application form and forward it with certified true copies of all supporting documents. The fee for this reassessment is AUD160.