Migration skills assessment

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) is an authorised assessing authority to conduct skills assessments for accounting occupations under Australia’s skilled migration program.

The skilled stream of Australia’s Migration Program is designed to attract migrants who can make a significant contribution to the Australian economy.

What is a skills assessment?

A skills assessment verifies that your qualifications, experience, and English proficiency meet Australian standards for accounting-related occupations. It is often required for skilled migration visas and may also support job applications in Australia.

Who needs a skills assessment?

You may need a skills assessment if:

  • your nominated occupation is in accounting or finance.

Occupations we assess

CA ANZ assesses the following accounting and finance occupations:

Occupation ANZSCO Code
Accountant (General) 221111
Management Accountant 221112
Taxation Accountant 221113
Corporate Treasurer 221212
External Auditor 221213
Finance Manager 132211

ANZSCO

  • The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) outlines skill levels, qualifications and experience required for each occupation. For detailed occupation definitions, visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
  • Currently, the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is used as the tool to define the occupations that feature on the Skilled Occupation List.
  • The release of OSCA (Occupational Skills Classification Australia) on 6 December 2024 will not affect current assessments.
  • CA ANZ will continue using ANZSCO codes for migration skills assessment until further notice.
  • Before applying, check the specific requirements of your visa and the relevant legislation to confirm which version of ANZSCO applies to your nominated occupation. 

Skills assessments provided by CA ANZ

Assessment type What it covers Key notes
Qualification Assessment
  • Assesses whether your education and professional qualification are comparable to an Australian Bachelor’s degree under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
  • Assesses coverage of required competency areas
  • Confirms English language proficiency
    		•  Required for all applicants. Must be completed before applying for skilled employment assessment.
    Skilled Employment Assessment (Optional) Assesses if your work experience is relevant and meets the required skill level. You must first have a suitable and valid qualification assessment outcome for the same occupation from CA ANZ. Skilled employment is optional, but it may help you claim points for skilled work experience in your visa application. The decision on points is made by the Department of Home Affairs.
    Combined Qualification and Skilled Employment Assessment Includes both qualification and employment assessment. Employment is assessed only if your qualifications are found suitable.

    CA ANZ’s role and responsibilities

    Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) is an authorised assessing authority, approved by the Australian Government, to conduct skills assessments for accounting occupations under Australia’s skilled migration program.

    As an assessing authority, CA ANZ:

    CA ANZ’s role is focused on skills assessment only. It does not provide migration or visa advice. For visa-related questions, contact the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.

    Learn more about assessing authorities and their responsibilities on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations – Assessing Authority Policy and Assurance website.

    Understand your visa requirements

    Before applying for a skills assessment with CA ANZ, make sure you understand the requirements of your intended visa. These are set by the Department of Home Affairs.

    • Read all available information about the visa you plan to apply for.
    • This will help you confirm whether a skills assessment is required.
    • You may also consider engaging the services of a registered migration agent (MARA) to help with your visa application.

    Appointing a Migration Agent

    You can choose to appoint a Migration Agent to submit your skills assessment application on your behalf. To appoint, change or remove a migration agent, include the CA ANZ Third-Party Authorisation form with your application.

    Note: Provisional skills assessment

    From 1 July 2024, CA ANZ no longer offers provisional skills assessments. Applicants with a bachelor's degree or above have access to the Post-Higher Education Work stream of the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485), which does not require applicants to obtain a skills assessment.

    Skills assessment application process

    Step 1 - Aerial staircase

    Step 1 – Choose your occupation

    Confirm your occupation code on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website and check if it is on the Skilled Occupation List.

    Step 2 – Check your visa requirements

    Visit the Department of Home Affairs to see if a skills assessment is required for your visa application.

    Step 2 - Malaysia young man on iPad

    Step 3 - Skyline aerial

    Step 3 – Confirm the assessing authority

    Ensure that CA ANZ is the assessing authority for your nominated occupation.

    Step 4 – Skills assessment requirements

    Review the specific assessment requirements set by CA ANZ.

    Find out more

    Step 4

    Step 5 - Aerial container ship

    Step 5 – Fees and processing times

    Check the application fees and estimated processing times.

    Find out more

    Step 6 – Supporting documentation

    Gather all the required documents in the correct format.

    Find out more

    Step 6 - Using a laptop

    Step 7 - Working in the office

    Step 7 – Submit your application

    Submit your application through our Migration Skills Assessment Portal.

    Find out more

    Step 8 – During your application

    Your application will be assigned to an assessor.

    You can track the status of your application online.

    If additional information or documentation is required, you will be notified via email and through your online account.

    Find out more

    Step 8 - Tertiary learning session

    Step 9 - On the phone

    Step 9 – Application outcome

    Once your application is complete, CA ANZ will email you a skills assessment outcome letter.

    You can use this letter to support your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs.

    Find out more

    Step 10 – After your outcome

    After receiving your outcome letter, you can:

    • request a reassessment
    • seek a review of the decision.

    You can also explore CA ANZ membership options to access tools, resources, events, and networking opportunities

    Find out more

    Step 10 - Working at home

    FAQs - Two men talking

    FAQs and resources

    Find out more

    Need help?

    Get in touch

    Disclaimer

    The content on this website is provided for general information purposes and may not take into account detail that could be significant in your particular context. The website and its content is not a substitute for reading and understanding (as applicable) the Chartered Accountants ANZ’s Member Handbook, constitutional documents, legislation, regulations, professional guidelines or other applicable laws, or where necessary, obtaining specific advice regarding a specific issue.