Migration assessment

Highly trained and educated professionals from around the world are encouraged to study, work and settle in Australia. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) provides detailed information on their website about how applications are assessed for individuals seeking to work in or migrate to Australia.

CPA Australia has been approved by the Minister for Immigration as a migration assessing authority for accounting occupations. We assess qualified accountants seeking immigration to Australia under the following Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) codes:

• accountant (general) (ANZSCO code 221111)
• external auditor (ANZSCO code 221213)
• management accountant (ANZSCO code 221112) 
•  taxation accountant (ANZSCO code 221113)
• finance manager (ANZSCO code 132211)
• corporate treasurer (ANZSCO code 221212)

Assessment for qualified accountants wishing to apply for skilled migration is provided by CPA Australia on a fee-for-service basis. This skills assessment is only part of the migration application process. Our assessment unit can provide advice on applying for a skills assessment, however questions relating to migration should be directed to DIAC.

Processing Times

The current processing time for applications is approximately 4 weeks.

Fees

From 1 July 2011 the following fees apply:

 * Includes assessment of skilled employment and academic qualifications for the points test

Requirements

To receive a suitable assessment result for your nominated Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code, you must have:

1. a formal qualification (or qualifications) that is assessed as comparable to at least an Australian Bachelor Degree according to AEI-NOOSR and CPA Australia, and 
2.  meet the English proficiency requirement.

The qualification/s must cover at least nine of the following 12 core curriculum areas. Each nominated occupation has four mandatory core knowledge areas.

Work experience will not be accepted in lieu of formal qualifications. Work experience is assessed separately.

To meet the English proficiency requirement you must have an IELTS Academic Test Report Form showing a band score of at least seven (7) on each of the four (4) components – Speaking, Reading, Listening and Writing 

Graduates of an Australian accounting degree who have completed the  Skilled Migration Internship Program: Accounting (SMIPA) may provide their SMIPA transcripts and completion certificate in place of IELTS to meet the requirements of CPA Australia.

All other individuals must meet the IELTS requirement.

If you submitted an application before the 30 June 2010 and require an update or review, the above criteria will apply. It is no longer possible to receive an assessment under the previous criteria.

Please note that a successful assessment is valid for two years from the assessment outcome date.

Provisional assessments

Graduates of Australian accounting degree programs can use their assessments to apply for a Temporary Visa Subclass 485 if they receive an assessment showing that they have:

• a recognised accounting degree from an Australian higher education provider. CPA Australia recognises graduates with a Bachelor degree, or a Master degree that comprises a minimum of 12 units.
• completion of at least nine out of the 12 core knowledge areas at tertiary level - each nominated occupation has four compulsory core knowledge areas and five optional areas
• an IELTS test result showing a minimum band score of six on each of the four components — Speaking, Reading, Listening and Writing.

Once you have been granted a Temporary Visa Subclass 485 by DIAC, you will be able to use this period of time to complete either of the following:

• the Skilled Migration Internship Program: Accounting
• achieve an IELTS Academic Test Result showing a band score of at least seven (7) on each of the four components — Speaking, Reading, Listening and Writing.

Once we receive evidence of you completing one of the above requirements, CPA Australia will update your assessment result for skilled migration accordingly.

Professional qualifications

All advice relating to qualifications is subject to confirmation by formal, individual assessment of qualifications through CPA Australia.

Holders of professional qualifications recognised by CPA Australia as degree-comparable may be assessed as meeting the degree requirement.  

Points Test (including Skilled Employment)

From 1 July 2011 the Department of Immigration and Citizenship will be applying a new points test for skilled migration. CPA Australia will provide advice regarding skilled employment and academic qualifications in your relevant nominated skilled occupation.

If you wish to have your skilled employment and academic qualifications assessed for the purposes of awarding points, complete a migration assessment application and provide certified true copies of your skilled employment references/ testimonials along with your formal academic qualifications and IELTS Academic Test Report Form.

CPA Australia will complete an assessment of your qualifications for skilled migration. If you have been assessed as suitable for your nominated occupation, we will include an assessment of your relevant skilled employment and provide advice regarding the educational level of your academic qualification/s. Please note skilled employment is undertaken after completion of a relevant academic qualification/s and is relevant to your nominated occupation.

In order for CPA Australia to conduct an assessment of your skilled employment, your references/testimonials must:

• be written on the official letterhead of the employing company. The letterhead should indicate clearly the full address of the company and any telephone, fax numbers, email and website addresses
• include the name and position of the person authorised to sign the employment reference/testimonial and should include the authorised person's signature - references from colleagues of the applicant at the same level or below will not be considered
• include the direct contact number of the person writing the reference. This must not be a private or home phone number
• indicate the exact period of employment, including:  
  • position/s held – positions should not be described by generic titles but according to the nature of the duties undertaken
  • whether permanent or temporary
  • full or part-time
  • required working hours per week
  • duties/responsibilities undertaken
  • the salary earned, including payslips from current employer (unpaid or volunteer work will not be assessed)

Please note we will only assess employment claims if you have received a suitable skills assessment under your nominated occupation. Skilled employment must have been undertaken after completion of a relevant academic qualification/s and be relevant to your nominated occupation. Internships taken as part of SMIPA will not be assessed.

If you have already obtained a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation before 1 July 2011 and apply for a visa on or after 1 July 2011, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship will advise if you need to obtain further advice on your qualifications and/ or skilled employment from CPA Australia. This information will be requested if required to support your claims when the application is assessed.

Determination of points under the skilled migration points test remains at the discretion of delegated officers of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.