Australian PR Points for Accountant, ANZSCO 221111
Accountants (ANZSCO 221111) have traditionally been one of the most sought-after and highly competitive occupations in Australia's General Skilled Migration programme. While it sits on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), the volume of applicants usually vastly outweighs the available visa places.
Because it is heavily oversubscribed, the subclass 189 pathway generally requires scores significantly higher than the baseline 65 points. Many applicants turn to the state nominated subclass 190 or regional subclass 491 visas to gain extra points and slightly better odds, though these pathways are also fiercely contested. This page breaks down how the points system applies specifically to accountants.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
Accountant, MLTSSL status
As a general indicative pattern, not an officially published cutoff, 189 invitation rounds for ANZSCO 221111 have often sat around 90 points, making it exceptionally competitive relative to the overall programme.
→ the 189 skilled independent pathwaySubclass 190: State Nominated
With +5 state nomination points
While the 190 visa provides an extra 5 points, state nomination is conditional. States often reserve nominations for applicants who are already living and working in that state.
→ how state nomination worksSubclass 491: Regional
With +15 regional bonus points
The +15 regional bonus is substantial, but applicants must commit to living in a designated regional area and meet specific regional nomination criteria, which vary by state.
→ the regional 15-point bonus explainedYour Accountant Score Across All Three Visa Pathways
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | +0 | +5 | +15 |
| Indicative range (ANZSCO 221111) | ~90 pts | ~85 pts | ~80 pts |
| Occupation list status | MLTSSL | MLTSSL | MLTSSL |
| Invitation likelihood | Highly competitive | State dependent | Regional dependent |
| Primary assessing bodies | CPA / CA ANZ / IPA | CPA / CA ANZ / IPA | CPA / CA ANZ / IPA |
* Note: The Department of Home Affairs does not consistently publish official occupation-specific cutoffs for every round. These figures are an indicative range based on general historical patterns for this occupation category, not a specific figure published by the Department for any round, and are not a guarantee of future invitation scores.
→ See our monthly invitation round tracker for recent general trendsSkills Assessment for Accountants
You must secure a positive skills assessment before you can formally submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
Accountants (ANZSCO 221111) can be assessed by CPA Australia, CA ANZ, or the IPA.
| Assessing bodies | CPA Australia / CA ANZ / IPA |
| Official portals | CPA Australia / CA ANZ |
| Processing time | Approx. 15 to 20 business days (CPA Australia) |
| Indicative fee | From ~$514 AUD offshore via CPA Australia — confirm current pricing, fast-track options cost extra |
| Assessment type | General Skills Assessment (document-based, not an interview or exam) |
| Qualification required | Comparable to an Australian Bachelor's degree (covering mandatory core subjects) |
Most applicants choose between CPA Australia and CA ANZ. You will need to demonstrate that your degree covers core competency areas such as financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, taxation law, and business law. Additionally, you must meet English language requirements (usually Proficient English) at the time of assessment.
Choosing a body: the migration outcome is identical regardless of which of the three assesses you, since they all assess the same ANZSCO 221111 occupation. The practical difference is the professional designation you end up with afterwards: CPA Australia leads to the CPA designation, CA ANZ leads to Chartered Accountant status, and both carry ongoing membership fees and continuing professional development obligations. The IPA route is often chosen by applicants who are focused purely on the migration outcome. If your transcript is missing a required subject (commonly commercial law or taxation law for overseas-trained accountants), you may need to pass bridging units, such as CPA Australia's Foundation exams, before a positive assessment can be issued.
⚠ Validity Warning: Your skills assessment must still be valid on the day you receive an Invitation to Apply, not just when you initially submit your EOI. Assessments are typically valid for three years.
State Nomination for Accountants
State nomination adds +5 points (190 visa) or +15 points (491 visa). However, not all states nominate accountants in every round, and conditions frequently change.
| State / Territory | 190 Potential? | 491 Potential? | Notes |
|---|
| NSW | Periodically open | Periodically open | NSW has periodically listed General and Management Accountant on its skilled occupation list during open windows, but because accounting fills quickly nationwide, the state closes the occupation again once its quota is reached. Check whether it is currently open before planning around it. |
| VIC | Conditional | Conditional | Victoria does not publish its own fixed occupation list; it will consider any occupation on the national Skilled Occupation List, including Accountant, through its Registration of Interest (ROI) system, subject to its current priority sectors and onshore employment expectations. |
| QLD | Conditional | Conditional | Typically requires ongoing employment in Queensland for accountants. |
| SA | Conditional | Conditional | Often favours SA graduates and long-term residents. |
| WA | Check program | Check program | Subject to regular updates on the WASMOL list. |
| TAS | Conditional | Conditional | Pathways generally exist for Tasmanian graduates or established workers. |
| ACT | Conditional | Conditional | Canberra Matrix points system applies; check the critical skills list. |
| NT | Conditional | Conditional | Usually requires significant prior NT residency and employment. |
Note: State occupation lists and nomination quotas can change abruptly. We strongly advise checking current requirements directly on each state's official migration website.
Because accounting is so heavily contested nationwide, choosing a state pathway often comes down to where you completed your studies and where you currently work, rather than simply picking a "best" state.
How to Improve Your Score as an Accountant
Given the intense competition for ANZSCO 221111, maximising your points is essential. Here are common strategies accountants use.
1. Superior English
Moving from Proficient (e.g. IELTS 7.0) to Superior (e.g. IELTS 8.0 or PTE 79+) provides 10 additional points. For an occupation as competitive as accounting, this is virtually a prerequisite for a 189 invite.
→ English points guide2. Professional Year
Completing an Accounting Professional Year (PY) programme adds 5 points. It is a very common strategy for international graduates studying accounting in Australia.
→ Professional Year guide3. State Nomination
Targeting a 190 visa adds 5 points (or 15 points for a 491 visa) immediately. It is an essential alternative to the 189 pathway, though it requires meeting state-specific employment or residency criteria.
→ 190 visa guide| Strategy | Points Gained | Time Required | Certainty |
|---|
| Superior English (if currently at Proficient) | +10 | Variable (depends on testing) | High once achieved |
| Professional Year in Accounting | +5 | 12 months | Subject to future reform |
| State nomination (190 visa) | +5 | Depends on state process | Conditional |
| Regional sponsorship (491 visa) | +15 | Depends on state process | Conditional |
| Gaining 1 further year of skilled Australian work experience | +5 | 1 year | High if criteria met |
| Credentialled Community Language (NAATI CCL) | +5 | A few months to prepare/test | High once achieved |
How the Points Test Reform Might Affect Accountants
⚠ Legislative note: Sweeping points test reforms and the new Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL) are currently in the proposal and review phases. The existing Schedule 6D system and occupation lists remain legally in effect until new legislation is passed.
The government's broader migration strategy suggests a shift away from "point-stacking" and towards stronger emphasis on genuine employer demand and higher salary thresholds. While accountants will likely remain an important part of Australia's workforce, future iterations of the points test may place less weight on attributes like age or Professional Years, and more weight on solid, well-paid onshore employment in the sector.
→ Learn more about the proposed points test reform