Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is CA ANZ the correct assessing authority for my application?
A: Skills assessments are conducted by designated assessing authorities for each occupation listed on the skilled occupation lists. CA ANZ is the assessing authority for accounting occupations.

Q: Can you advise if my qualifications/skilled employment are suitable before I submit my application?
A: Due to the complexity of skills assessments, pre-assessment advice is not available. A formal assessment is required to provide any guidance.

Q: Do I need a migration agent to apply for a skills assessment?
A: Both individuals and migration agents can submit applications. It’s important to understand your visa requirements as outlined by the Department of Home Affairs or consult a registered migration agent (MARA) for assistance.

Q: Can my work experience as an accountant be assessed if I lack formal qualifications?
A: To be eligible to apply for a migration skills assessment in accounting occupations, you must hold a qualification comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree or higher. Without such a qualification, your credentials are considered insufficient.

• Professional roles often demand a blend of theoretical knowledge and soft skills. This involves evaluating various aspects:
  
  • academic achievements
  • professional development courses
  • work-based accomplishments
  • the individual’s ability to apply theoretical knowledge practically.

• Ensuring fairness and consistency in these evaluations is crucial to maintain the credibility of the RPL process for professional occupations.
• Admission to our Chartered Accountant (CA) professional program relies on core competencies demonstrated through academic qualifications.
  • If a candidate’s qualifications do not cover certain competencies, yet they have relevant work experience, they can showcase their abilities by taking CA foundation exams, which are recognised for migration skills assessment.

Q: If my overseas qualification is not comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree, am I eligible to apply for skills assessment?
A: Eligibility requires an overseas qualification comparable to the educational level of the Australian Qualification Framework bachelor’s degree (or higher).

Q: I hold an overseas degree and am currently completing an Australian master’s degree. Will my master’s degree be recognised for migration purposes?
A: CA ANZ would assess your overseas degrees for comparability to an Australian bachelor’s degrees. Completed subjects from an incomplete Australian master’s degree may be considered to determine coverage of the competency areas. If your overseas degree is assessed as not being comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree, CA ANZ can only continue with your assessment upon completion of you master’s degree through an Australian University. In this case, the degree must consist of at least 12 semester subjects, including all the competency areas required by CA ANZ. Please note that you should only apply for skills assessment when you have completed the 12 subjects, and the master’s degree has been awarded to you.

Q: Can you provide me with a list of recognised universities and degree qualifications?
A: For a list of recognised qualifications, please refer to our CA ANZ Accredited Tertiary Courses, under ‘related download section’.

To assess the general education level of overseas tertiary and professional qualifications, CA ANZ follows the guidelines of the Country Education Profile (CEP), Australian Government, Department of Education.

Q: I am a member of a professional accounting body. Do you consider my studies for the qualification assessment?
A: CA ANZ adheres to the Country Education Profile (CEP) guidelines, Australian Government, Department of Education. We will consider studies from associate members in good standing of professional accounting bodies listed on CEP as comparable to the educational level of the AQF bachelor’s degree. If you are not a full member of one of the professional accounting bodies listed on CEP or hold a different professional qualification, you are required to hold a qualification award at Level 7 (bachelor’s degree) or higher on the Australian Qualifications Framework (or overseas equivalent) to be eligible to apply.

Q: I am a provisional/student member of a recognised accounting body. Can I submit my skills for assessment?
A: Without full membership, you must have a qualification assessed as comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree for eligibility.

Q: I am a citizen from a country where English is the spoken language. Do I have to provide evidence of English Language proficiency?
A: All applicants, regardless of their background or country of origin, are evaluated using the same assessment criteria. This ensures fairness and consistency in the process. Even citizens from English-speaking countries and members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) must provide evidence of English language proficiency.

Q: How detailed should my course syllabus be?
A:

Detailed subject content corresponding to your academic record for the required competency areas.

Include the university/institution name and syllabus date on every page.

Ensure the syllabus is relevant to the period of your study completion.

We refrain from providing a syllabus assessment checklist.

Q: What if I am missing my university handbook or course outline?
A: Most universities keep information about their courses. If you have not retained your course outlines, you must contact your university and ask them to provide you with the description of the subjects.

Recent course information might be available online; links and printouts are acceptable - ensure to include the webpage URL on all printed materials.
If there is a discrepancy between academic records and syllabus years or subject names, obtain documentation from the university confirming the syllabus’s applicability.

Alternative documentation

If you cannot provide the official syllabus or course description, a Statutory declaration or Affidavit may be accepted.

• Statutory declaration requirements:
  • clearly state why the official syllabus cannot be provided
  • include all details as outlined above
  • must be signed by an authorised witness. Refer to the list of authorised witnesses within Australia
  • Digital Commonwealth statutory declarations are accepted
  • for declarations or affidavits obtained outside Australia, consult an Australian Embassy or adhere to the legal standards of the country where you are applying.

Q: As a professional accounting body member, must I submit my academic records?
A: Membership in a recognised accounting body does not exempt you from presenting tertiary qualifications. Members with additional qualifications can provide degree evidence. Degree evidence includes a certificate or an academic transcript indicating completion. If exemptions were granted, you must provide the academic transcript from the institution where the study was completed that led to those exemptions. Please note that we do not accept unofficial academic transcripts.

Q: What if my academic credentials are from China?
A: All applicants with qualifications from Chinese institutions must have their documents verified by Vocational Education Training and Assessment Services (VETASSESS).

Required credential reports:

• Certificate of Graduation (in Chinese)
• Academic Transcript (in both Chinese and English)
• Degree Certificate (in English).

Note: Even if you have credential reports from other authorities, VETASSESS verification is mandatory.

Q: Is English translation required for my documents?
A:

Documents not in English requires an English translation completed by a certified translator. You must include the original language documents as well as the translated document with your application.

If you live in Australia, you must enclose an English translation completed by an accredited translator.

If you live outside Australia, you must enclose an English translation completed by a translator who is certified by the appropriate authorities of your country of residence. The translation must include the full name of the translator, contact details, the name of the company/ department the translator works for (if applicable) and certificate number (and/or stamp) of the translator (if applicable).

Q: Do I need my skilled employment (work experience) assessed?
A: Skilled employment assessment is optional. While not mandatory, an assessment may enable you to claim points for skilled employment in your visa application. Determination of the points remains at the discretion of the Department of Home Affairs. For specific visa requirements and points table, please contact the Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs.

Q: How can I assess my skilled employment?
A: To request a skilled employment assessment, you must have a valid and suitable qualification assessment outcome (previously known as full (permanent) skills assessment) under the same nominated occupation from Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).

Q: Can my skilled employment be considered if my qualification assessment was negative?
A: Skilled employment assessment requires a suitable qualification assessment from Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).

Q: Can my skilled employment gained pre-qualification be considered?
A: Only skilled employment gained after meeting the Australian bachelor’s degree comparability is assessable.

Q: How does a combined application work?
A: In a combined application, your qualification is assessed first; if deemed suitable, your skilled employment is then evaluated.

Q: Can I update my job description for a review application?
A: No, a review application is judged based on the initial submission. Amendments or additions to the job description are not accepted post-assessment.

Q: I am a full member in good standing of a professional accounting body; however I hold a bachelor's degree, which is not accounting related. Should I submit my non-accounting bachelor’s degree? From what date can my skilled employment be assessed?
A: Yes, submit all degree documents. Skilled employment assessment dates depend on the comparability of your degree to an Australian bachelor’s degree.

Q: What is the minimum work requirement for my employment to be considered?
A: A minimum of 20 paid hours per week in a role pertinent to your nominated occupation is required. These hours should be consistent over a period, not averaged.

Q: Is skilled employment unrelated to my nominated occupation considered?
A: No, employment must be closely related to your nominated occupation. To determine if your occupation/tasks are closely related to your nominated occupation and for information about occupations in the same unit group as your nominated occupation, refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Q: Are job descriptions copied from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) acceptable?
A: No, ABS-derived tasks are not accepted. Job descriptions must originate from your employer and reflect your actual duties. Ensure that job description or task list reflects daily, monthly and annually tasks you perform in your role.

Q: What if I cannot get a reference from an employer due to business closure?
A: In such cases, a Statutory declaration or Affidavit detailing the inability to provide documents and outlining your employment nature and duration may be considered. Supporting third-party documents like tax certificates or payslips should accompany this declaration.

Q: What documentation is needed for self-employment?
A: Self-employed individuals must submit a statutory declaration/affidavit describing their business and work nature, along with business registration, practicing certificate, tax reports, and client references.

Q: Is a CV/resume alone adequate?
A: No, additional supporting evidence is required.

Q: Can references be sent directly by my employer?
A: Yes, employers can send references directly, including a cover letter with your CA ANZ reference number and the purpose of the reference.

Q: Does CA ANZ contact employers for verification?
A: CA ANZ reserves the right to contact employers during the assessment process.

Q: My skills assessment outcome indicates that I must complete further studies. What are my options?
A: If your assessment outcome indicates further studies are required, you have two options:

• Complete additional studies via our CA Foundations Pathway
• Complete additional studies via CA ANZ’s Accredited Tertiary Courses offered by higher education providers.

You can apply for reassessment after completing bridging subjects in the mandatory competency areas.

Q: Can I apply for more than one skills assessment for additional occupations?
A: Yes, you may apply for additional ANZSCO codes by submitting a reassessment application. A separate fee applies for each code.

Q: How long is my skills assessment application valid for?
A: Your application with CA ANZ is valid for three (3) years from the date of your initial skills assessment outcome. Reassessments must be applied for within this period. Note that reassessments do not extend the original expiration date.

Q: How long is my skills assessment outcome letter valid for?
A: The skills assessment outcome letter is valid with the Department of Home Affairs for three (3) years from the date of issue.

Q: What is a reassessment application?
A: You can request a reassessment of your migration skills assessment for the following reasons:

• Evaluating any new evidence that was not available during your initial application.
• Assessing additional courses or subjects to address any insufficient coverage of the required competency areas, particularly if the initial assessment was deemed not suitable.
• Including new English test results, particularly if the initial assessment was deemed not suitable.
• Adding newly acquired qualifications and/or employment roles.
• Obtaining an additional occupation (ANZSCO code).
• Transitioning from a provisional to a full (permanent) skills assessment.

Your application with CA ANZ remains valid for three (3) years from the date of your initial skills assessment outcome. Reassessment is only possible if your initial skills assessment outcome is still valid.

Expiration date

Subsequent reassessments do not extend the expiration date of your initial application.

Review application

Q: What is a review application?
A: A review application is for disputing the decision of a skills assessment - you disagree with your skills assessment outcome or suspect an error.

Q: I do not agree with my skills assessment outcome. How can I review?
A: Submit a review application within 60 days from the date of your skills assessment outcome letter, including detailed reasons for your disagreement. No additional or altered documentation can be submitted with the review application.

Links and Resources

Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) – Information about migration agents

Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) – Information on visa requirements, immigration and citizenship

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) – The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations works to ensure Australians can experience the wellbeing and economic benefits that quality education, skills and employment provide.

Country Education Profile (CEP), Australian Government, Department of Education – The Country Education Profiles (CEPs) is an online qualifications recognition tool designed to help organisations understand overseas higher education and postsecondary technical and vocational educational qualifications. It can be used by universities and other education providers, professional bodies, employers, international organisations and governments to help understand the level of an overseas qualification.

Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) – The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the policy for regulated qualifications in the Australian education and training system.

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) – The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is Australia’s regulatory and quality agency for higher education.

Australian Bureau Statistics (ABS) – The Australia’s national statistical agency and an official source of independent, reliable information.

ANZCO definition search facility, ABS – Search facility to help users find occupation definitions.

Jobs and Skills Australia – The Jobs and Skills Australia provide high quality data, analysis and insights to better understand Australia's skills and labour shortages across the economy.

Australian Government – Information and services on Australian government websites as well as selected state and territory resources.

My eQuals – The Official Platform of Australian and New Zealand Tertiary Education Providers - Providing secure access to certified official transcripts and degree documents.

VETASSESS – Information on Chinese qualification verification.

IELTS – English Language test provider.

Pearson (PTE Academic) – English Language test provider.

Cambridge – English Language test provider.

TOEFL iBT – English Language test provider.

Disclaimer

The content on this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, details or requirements. Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) does not provide specific advice in relation to migration or visa requirements. Enquiries relating to visa, points table and migration requirements should be directed to the Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs. You should seek independent professional advice regarding your specific circumstances and consult with the Department of Home Affairs as necessary.

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