Membership pathways

We are dedicated to supporting you throughout your career. Whatever stage you're at, we have a membership group that will provide you with the support and assistance you need.

Associate - Institute of Public Accountants (AIPA)

AIPA is our entry level of membership and is perfect if you're starting your accounting career. Joining is easy if you meet one of the below entry requirements:

  • Eligible accounting qualification; OR
    1. Australian Diploma of Accounting
    2. Advanced Diploma of Accounting
    3. University Degree in Accounting
    4. University Graduate Diploma in Accounting
  • Current membership with an International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Member level body, IPA AIPA level equivalent; OR

  • Eligible statutory registration with Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) or/and Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) under your name (as below).
ASIC TPB
  • Australian Financial Services Authorised Representative
  • Australian Financial Adviser
  • Australian Financial Services Licensee
  • Registered Company Auditor
  • Official Liquidator
  • Registered Liquidator
  • SMSF Auditor
  • Credit Representative
  • Credit Licensee
  • Individual BAS agent
  • Individual tax (financial) adviser
  • Individual tax agent

Work experience is not required if you meet one of the above requirements. 

Member - Institute of Public Accountants (MIPA)

MIPA is a level higher than the AIPA designation.

Admission

You can join as a MIPA if you meet one of the below entry requirements.

  • Qualifications and experience:
  • Eligible accounting qualification (see AIPA requirement) + a post-graduate accounting qualification assessed to be equivalent to the IPA Program Stage 1 and
  • industry experience assessed to be equivalent to the Mentored Experience Program (MEP) completion/full exemption; OR
  • Current membership with an IFAC Member level body, IPA MIPA level equivalent.

Advancement

You can advance from AIPA to MIPA if you have:

Fellow - Institute of Public Accountants (FIPA)

If you're highly experienced in the accounting profession, you can become a FIPA.

Admission

You can join as a FIPA if you are currently a Fellow level member with an IFAC Member level body.

Advancement

In order to advance to a FIPA, you need at least seven consecutive years tenure as a MIPA. In addition, you'll need at least ten years accounting experience, with the last five years at a senior level.

Public BAS Practitioner Certificate

We recognise that professionalism and legal compliance are now integral parts of the BAS Agent services industry, and we're proud to offer you a specifically tailored practice certificate - Public BAS Practitioner.

To qualify as a Public BAS Practitioner, you need to hold an individual BAS Agent registration with the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB) and your services should be limited to BAS services.  In addition, you must hold Professional Indemnity Insurance and complete our Public BAS Practitioner Program.

Professional Practice Certificate

If you provide or intend to provide accounting and/or related services to the public, you're required to hold a Professional Practice Certificate (PPC) in accordance with the IPA By-laws.

Click here for more information on the PPC.

How to apply

Joining is easy! Click here to complete the fast-track online application.

The fees for each membership level can be viewed here.

To advance to the next stage of IPA membership, please complete this form.

Putting your membership on hold

We know that situations in life can lead to you stepping away from the accounting profession for a while.  Whether it's family, illness or an extended holiday, you do have the option to apply for a temporary leave of membership.  To apply for a leave of membership absence, please complete this form.