If you are an affiliated member of a GAA organisation and are planning to live or work in Australia or New Zealand, CA ANZ is here to support you. There are two ways to connect with us, each designed to give you resources, support and professional connections to help you succeed. 

Your pathways 

As a GAA member*, you can choose a pathway that best fits your plans. Read below for information about the reciprocal pathway to CA ANZ membership or scroll down the page to learn more about GAA Passport. 

1. Reciprocal membership – full CA ANZ recognition 

For those who want to fully establish their career in Australia or New Zealand, CA ANZ membership gives you: 

• the right to use the CA (ANZ) designation 
• full access to advisory services, CPD, networking and local practice opportunities 
• subject to certain requirements, you may be eligible for a Certificate of Public Practice (CPP) and audit rights if you wish to provide services to the public or perform audits locally 

Who can apply

Individuals who qualified through the standard examination pathway and are full members in good standing of the following GAA-affiliated bodies may be eligible to apply: 

• AICPA - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants 
• ICAEW - Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales 
• CPA Canada - Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CA, CMA, CGA members) 
• ICAS - Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland 
• CAI - Chartered Accountants Ireland 
• HKICPA - Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants 
• SAICA - South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. 

Note: *We do not have reciprocity with JICPA or IDW. Direct membership applications cannot be made through these two bodies. 

CA ANZ membership ensures your global expertise is recognised locally, giving you the support and connections to thrive in Australia and New Zealand.

How to apply: Reciprocal membership pathway 

Step 1: Prepare your documents 

Gather the following before starting your application: 

• Letter of Good Standing / Confirmation Letter (dated within 3 months) confirming: 
  • current full membership in good standing 
  • date your full membership was granted 
  • membership number 
  • membership gained via standard examination pathway 
  • If date missing, include your Membership Certificate. 
• Proof of identity: Colour copy of your passport, driver’s licence, national ID card (except Singapore), birth certificate, citizenship certificate, proof-of-age card, or refugee/emergency travel documents. Black and white documents must be certified.
• Two references from full CA ANZ members or full members of a GAA body with which we have a reciprocal arrangement, each with at least 3 years’ standing – Download Member Reference Form
• Current CV / resume detailing roles, employers, and responsibilities
• If you reside in NZ, you will also need:  Ministry of Justice report (within last 6 months) and a police report from any country where you lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years. Black and white documents must be certified. 

Additional requirements by body:

• AICPA: Letter of Good Standing from the State Board confirming completion of the US Uniform CPA Exam and that you hold a current US CPA Licence.
• CPA Canada – CMA & CGA members: Letter of Good Standing confirming 2 years of relevant post-qualification experience and a Verification of Core Values & Skills Report – Download Report.
• CPA Ireland members of CA Ireland: Letter of Good Standing signed off by CA Ireland confirming 2 years of full time (or part time equivalent) post-qualifying experience.

Step 2: Apply for special admission 

• Submit your application and supporting documents online. 
• Processing typically takes up to 40 business days, with updates provided via email. 

Thinking ahead 

If you plan to offer services to the public or perform audits in Australia or New Zealand, you will need to also apply for: 

• A Certificate of Public Practice (CPP) 
• Audit rights in Australia or New Zealand 

Certificate of Public Practice (CPP) 

If you intend to offer public accounting services in Australia or New Zealand, you’ll need a Certificate of Public Practice (CPP). This certificate confirms you meet Australia and New Zealand’s professional and regulatory requirements to practise as a public accountant. 

Audit rights 

Being admitted as a CA ANZ member does not automatically grant you statutory audit rights. These are separately regulated in each country. 

Audit regulation in New Zealand

In New Zealand, audit rights are regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). To conduct audits of certain entities, you must register as a licensed auditor and meet additional requirements. 

Audit regulation in Australia 

In Australia, audit regulation is overseen by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). To sign off on audits of companies or regulated entities, you must be a registered company auditor with ASIC. 

2. GAA Passport 

For those exploring the market or staying short term, the GAA Passport gives you: 

• member rates at CPD events, seminars, and conferences 
• access to CA ANZ’s library and research tools 
• use of meeting rooms and member rewards 
• advisory support and local guidance while you’re based in Australia or NZ 
• cost: free. 

Who can apply: 

If you are a member of a GAA-affiliated body coming to Australia or New Zealand, compare pathways in detail

	GAA Passport member benefits	CA ANZ member benefits
Use of CA designation	No	Yes
Able to practice	No	Yes; if certain conditions are met
Access to advisory services and helplines	No	Yes
CA ANZ magazines	Yes	Yes
My CA online support	No	Yes
CPD events	Charged at CA ANZ Member rate	Member rate
Use of library and information service	Yes. Access to the online library, enquiry desk, document delivery and book borrowing services while based in Australia or NZ	Yes
Online subject gateways and country resources	Yes, but access to some materials restricted	Yes
Online accounting and tax developments by country, industry guides, market research reports, articles from key business magazines and e-books	No	Yes
Access to CA ANZ website	Public pages only	Yes
Special rates on room bookings at CA ANZ meeting and conference rooms	Yes	Yes
Eligible for CA ANZ member rewards and discounts	Yes, with some restrictions on eligibility for finance and insurance based products	Yes

How to apply: GAA Passport 

• Provides temporary access to CA ANZ CPD, events, library, advisory support, and member pricing. 
• No full membership fees required. 

FAQs

Will I need to pay an admission fee and an annual subscription when joining CA ANZ? 

You will be charged an application fee when you submit your membership application. Once approved, you will pay the annual membership fee (pro-rated depending on when you join). As a member, you will pay the annual membership renewal fee to continue accessing all CA ANZ member benefits, including discounts with some of our partners.

Do I need to maintain my home body membership once I hold CA ANZ membership?

CA ANZ strongly recommends that you maintain your home body membership once you are a reciprocal member of CA ANZ. Contact your home body to discuss any questions about maintaining membership.

If I am a GAA member, will I qualify for a practicing certificate? 

Not automatically. You will need to apply for a Certificate of Public Practice to provide services as a CA to the public in Australia or New Zealand. 

Read more about applying for CPP with CA ANZ. 

If I become a member of CA ANZ, will I automatically qualify for audit rights? 

Not automatically. You will need to apply for audit rights to enable you the right to practice and perform audit duties in Australia and New Zealand if you are living in Australia or New Zealand. 

Understand the requirements for members performing regulated audits in New Zealand. 

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is responsible for Audit regulation in Australia. For more information visit Company auditors | ASIC. 

Can GAA members use the CA ANZ member designation when visiting or working in Australia or New Zealand? 

No. The CA (ANZ) designation is widely recognised in Australia and New Zealand. Members of GAA institutes are encouraged to join CA ANZ if they are working in Australia or New Zealand so they can use the designation. 

Does CA ANZ allow GAA members to use its library services? 

Yes, GAA members are welcome to access the resources of the CA ANZ libraries if they are visiting, working and residing in Australia or New Zealand. You will need to provide the membership number of your affiliated institute. Please contact our library team. 

What library services does CA ANZ have? 

We have an online library catalogue so you can select and request items yourself. We lend hard copy books, magazines, journals and documents to addressees within Australia and New Zealand. Our lending period is for 21 days, with the opportunity to extend for another three weeks. We also have a personalised research service. See the Library homepage for more on library services and contact details. 

Can I participate in any of the CA ANZ educational, technical and social events? 

Yes. GAA members are welcome to attend CA ANZ events at the discounted price available to CA ANZ members. Our events are promoted on our website and in our newsletters. Visit Education Store to see what's coming up. 

Do you have meeting rooms or conference facilities? 

GAA Passport holders can hire our meeting rooms and conference facilities for business or social networking events at member discounted rates. CA ANZ has meeting rooms and modern conference facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and Adelaide in Australia, and in Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand. 

What other CA ANZ services can GAA passport holders access? 

CA ANZ has other resources available to GAA Passport holders, including access to special interest groups that meet regularly or occasionally. There is also a range of professional tools, templates, engagement letters, checklists and insights that may be available to help you work. You will need to provide your membership number as a minimum to access these resources, and there may be additional requirements, depending on the service or resource. 

Certificate of Public Practice (CPP) & Audit Rights 

• Apply for a CPP if you plan to offer services to the public as a Chartered Accountant 
• Apply for Audit Rights if you intend to perform audits in Australia or New Zealand 

Questions? 

For questions about membership, GAA Passport, CPP, or Audit Rights: 

Australia: 1300 137 322 
Outside Australia: +61 2 9290 5660 
Email: [email protected]  

Already a CA ANZ Member? 

If you are a CA ANZ member looking to access the global opportunities offered through the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA), including networking, professional development, and international support, find out how to tap into these benefits.