FAQs and resources

Clear answers and helpful resources to guide your migration skills assessment journey.

General information

Is CA ANZ the right authority to assess my skills?
Yes. CA ANZ is the official assessing authority for accounting occupations listed on Australia’s skilled occupation lists.

Can I check if my qualifications or work experience are suitable before applying?
No. We do not offer pre-assessment advice. You need to submit a formal application to receive an assessment.

Do I need a migration agent to apply?
No. You can apply yourself or use a registered migration agent. Make sure you understand your visa requirements. Visit the Department of Home Affairs or speak to a registered migration agent for help. Refer to MARA for a list of migration agents.

What are the fees and processing times for a skills assessment?
Fees and processing times vary depending on the type of assessment you apply for. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Fees and Processing Times page on the CA ANZ website.

How long is my skills assessment application valid?
Your application is valid for three (3) years from the date of your initial outcome. Reassessments must be submitted within this period. Reassessments do not extend the original expiration date.

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

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

How does a combined application work?
Your qualification is assessed first. If it is suitable, your skilled employment (work experience) will then be evaluated.

Qualification comparability

Can my work experience be assessed if I do not have formal qualifications?
No. You must have a qualification comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree or higher. While work experience and professional development are valuable, migration skills assessments rely on academic evidence to confirm core competencies.

If your qualification does not fully meet the required competency areas, you may demonstrate your knowledge by completing CA Foundations program. These exams are recognised for migration skills assessment purposes and may help address gaps in your academic coverage.

Where can I find a list of recognised qualifications?
Check the CA ANZ Accredited Tertiary Courses in the ‘Related Downloads’ section.

For overseas qualifications, we use the guidelines from:

What if my qualification is not comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree?
You will not meet the qualification comparability requirement, which is a key part of the migration assessment process, and your application will be assessed as not suitable.

Overseas qualification must be comparable to the educational level of the Australian Qualification Framework bachelor’s degree (or higher).

I hold an overseas degree and am currently studying an Australian master’s degree. Will my master’s degree be recognised for my migration skills assessment?
We will first assess whether your overseas degree is comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree.

If it is, we may consider completed subjects from your incomplete Australian’s master’s degree to help determine if you meet the required competency areas.

If your overseas degree is not comparable, we can only proceed with your assessment after you complete your Australian master’s degree.

Professional accounting body

I am a member of a professional accounting body. Do you consider my studies for the qualification assessment?
If you are a full member in good standing of a recognised professional accounting body listed in the Country Education Profile (CEP) or UK Enic as comparable to an AQF Bachelor’s degree, your studies may be considered.

If you are not a full member, you must hold a qualification that meets the level of an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) Bachelor’s degree or its overseas equivalent to be eligible.

I am a member of a professional accounting body. Do I still need to submit academic records for my tertiary qualifications?
Yes, membership in a recognised accounting body does not exempt you from presenting tertiary qualifications. As a member you must submit:

  • Membership certificate
  • Examination results or mark sheets
  • A letter from the accounting body confirming your current membership status, including regulatory and disciplinary information (dated within the last 3 months)

If you hold an additional qualification, you must also provide:

  • Degree certificate
  • Academic transcript or mark sheets
  • Transcript for any exemptions granted

Please note: We do not accept unofficial transcripts.

I am a student or provisional member of a recognised accounting body and do not hold another qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor’s degree. Can I apply?
No. You must be a full member or hold a qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor’s degree.

Competency areas

My skills assessment outcome indicates I need further studies. What are my options?
You can:

Once completed, you can apply for reassessment.

My migration skills assessment outcome identified areas where I required further studies. I am not a Provisional Member. Can I address these skill gaps by completing bridging subjects through CA Foundations?
Yes. CA ANZ welcomes individuals who wish to enrol in individual CA Foundations subjects to meet competency areas identified in their migration skills assessment. You do not need to be a Provisional Member to enrol for this purpose.

Please note that enrolling in individual CA Foundations subjects does not confer Provisional Membership status, nor does it guarantee future admission into the full CA Foundations program or the Chartered Accountants Program.

English language

What English language tests are accepted?
You can demonstrate your English language proficiency through one of the following approved test providers:

  • IELTS Academic – Digital or paper-based at a secure test centre. CA ANZ accepts IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR).
  • PTE Academic – Secure test centre only.
  • TOEFL iBT – Secure test centre only. Note: Tests taken between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 are not accepted. On January 21, 2026, TOEFL introduced an updated score scale (from 1 – 6 in increments of 0.5). For tests taken on or after 21 January 2026, you must select ‘Taking TOEFL for Australia’ during registration to ensure your test is valid for Australian visa purposes.
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced – Digital or paper-based at a secure test centre. Only paper-based results are accepted for tests taken between 12 February 2024 and 6 August 2025.
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General) - Digital or paper-based at a secure test centre. 
  • LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic) - Digital or paper-based at a secure test centre. 
  • Michigan English Test (MET) - Digital or paper-based at a secure test centre. CA ANZ accepts MET test results that include Single Section Retake (SSR).

Important: CA ANZ does not accept results from online or at-home test formats.

For full details, including minimum scores and validity periods, visit the English language requirement page.

I am from an English-speaking country. Do I need to provide English language test results?
You do not need to provide English language test results if you are a citizen of, and hold a valid passport issued by, one of the following countries:

1. Canada
2. New Zealand
3. The Republic of Ireland
4. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
5. The United States of America

Supporting documents

What documents are required for a migration skills assessment?
You must include the following documents with your application:

  • Passport details – Photo page and name change evidence (if applicable)
  • Passport photo – Recent, colour, and good quality
  • English language proficiency – Evidence from an approved test provider
  • Educational qualifications – Degree certificate and official academic transcript (mark sheets)
  • Course syllabus – For non-accredited degrees, include detailed subject descriptions
  • Professional membership (if applicable) – Membership certificate, exam results, and a letter confirming current membership status
  • Translations – Certified English translations for documents not in English
  • Third-party authorisation – If someone is acting on your behalf

Additional documents may be required for Chinese qualifications (VETASSESS verification) or skilled employment assessment.

For full details, visit the Supporting Documentation page.

What should my course syllabus include?
Your syllabus must:

  • Match your academic transcript
  • Include your university’s name and the syllabus date
  • Be relevant to when you studied

If you do not have your syllabus, contact your university. Online links or printouts are accepted if they include the webpage URL.

If there are differences in subject names or dates, ask your university to confirm the syllabus applies to your studies.

What if I cannot get my syllabus?
Most universities keep records of their course information. If you have not retained your course outlines, you must contact your university and ask them to provide subject descriptions that match your academic transcript.

If you cannot provide the official syllabus or course description, you may submit a Statutory Declaration or Affidavit. It must:

  • Explain why the syllabus is not available
  • Include all required details
  • Be signed by an authorised witness - Refer to the list of authorised witnesses within Australia

Digital Commonwealth statutory declarations are accepted.

If you are outside Australia, follow your country’s legal standards or contact an Australian Embassy.

My qualifications are from China. What do I need?
For qualifications from Chinese institutions, use an official, authorised Chinese qualification verification service to confirm degree awards and academic transcripts, including an official English translation of the validation. 

If you have a diploma qualification contributing to your bachelor's degree, provide verification and translations of degree awards and academic transcripts.

Consider using VETASSESS for this service and plan according to their processing time. 

Translation

Is English translation required for my documents?
Yes. If your documents are not in English, you must include both the original and a certified English translation with your application.

  • If you live in Australia: The translation must be completed by a translator accredited by NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters).
  • If you live outside Australia: The translation must be completed by a certified translator recognised by your country’s authorities. It must include:
    • Translator’s full name
    • Contact details
    • Name of the company or department (if applicable)
    • Certificate number or stamp (if applicable)

Skilled employment (work experience)

Do I need my skilled employment (work experience) assessed?
Skilled employment assessment is optional. While not mandatory, it may enable you to claim points for skilled employment in your visa application. The determination of points remains at the discretion of the Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs. For visa-specific advice, visit their website.

How can I assess my skilled employment?
You must first receive a suitable qualification assessment outcome (previously called a full or permanent skills assessment) from CA ANZ for the same nominated occupation.

Can my work experience be assessed if I do not have formal qualifications?
No. You must have a qualification comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree or higher.

While work experience and professional development are valuable, migration skills assessments rely on academic evidence to confirm core competencies.

If your qualification does not fully meet the required competency areas, you may demonstrate your knowledge by completing CA Foundations program. These exams are recognised for migration skills assessment purposes and may help address gaps in your academic coverage.

Can my skilled employment be considered if my qualification assessment was not suitable?
No. A suitable qualification assessment outcome is required before your skilled employment can be assessed.

Can my skilled employment gained before qualifications be considered?
Only employment gained after your qualification was deemed comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree is eligible for assessment.

I am a full member of a professional accounting body, but my bachelor’s degree is not in accounting. Should I submit my non-accounting bachelor’s degree documents? From what date can my skilled employment be assessed?
Yes. You must submit all degree documents. The date from which your skilled employment can be assessed depends on when your degree was deemed comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree.

Is skilled employment unrelated to my nominated occupation considered?
No, your employment must be closely related to your nominated occupation. To check if your occupation and tasks are considered closely related, and to find information about occupations within the same unit group, refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Are job descriptions copied from the ABS acceptable?
No. Job descriptions must come from your employer and reflect your actual duties. Include tasks performed daily, monthly, and annually.

What is the minimum work requirement for employment to be considered?
You must have worked at least 20 paid hours per week in a role closely related to your nominated occupation. These hours must be consistent, not averaged.

What if I cannot get a reference from my employer due to business closure?
You may submit a Statutory Declaration or Affidavit explaining the situation and describing your employment. Include supporting documents such as employment contract, job descriptions, payslips, and tax records.

What documentation is needed for self-employment?
Submit a Statutory Declaration or Affidavit describing your business and work. Also include:

  • Business registration
  • Practising certificate
  • Tax reports
  • Client references

Is a CV or resume alone enough?
No. You must provide additional supporting evidence. For supporting documentation, refer to Skilled employment assessment | CA ANZ

Can references be sent directly by my employer?
Yes. Employers can send references directly to CA ANZ. Include a cover letter with your CA ANZ application reference number and the purpose of the reference.

Does CA ANZ contact employers for verification?
Yes. CA ANZ may contact employers during the assessment process.

Can I update my job description for a review application?
No. A review application is based on your original submission. You cannot add or change your job description after the initial assessment.

Reassessments and updates

What is a reassessment application?
A reassessment allows you to:

  • Submit new evidence not available during your initial application
  • Add new qualifications or employment roles
  • Include updated English test results
  • Apply for an additional occupation code
  • Transition from provisional to full (permanent) assessment

Note: Reassessments must be submitted within the original 3-year validity period and do not extend the expiration date.

Before you apply for reassessment

  • Log in to the Migration Skills Assessment portal to submit your request
  • Make sure your original outcome is still valid
  • Use the same email address you used in your original application

Review of the decision

What is a review application?
A review application is for disputing your assessment outcome. You must submit it within 60 days of receiving your outcome letter and include detailed reasons for your disagreement. No new or revised documents can be submitted.

Before you apply for review

  • Log in to the Migration Skills Assessment portal to submit your request
  • Make sure your original outcome is still valid
  • Use the same email address you used in your original application

Can I submit new or updated documents with my review application?
No. A review application is assessed only on the evidence submitted with your original application. New or updated documents cannot be included.

What is an external appeal application? 
External appeals provide a final opportunity to challenge both the original assessment and the internal review outcome, where both have been assessed as not suitable.

An external appeal involves a thorough review of the decisions made during the original and internal review assessments.

The appeal will be undertaken by an independent assessor who was not the assessor of the original assessment.1

1 CA ANZ will determine the manner external appeals are conducted in alignment with the requirements set out in the Guiding Principles and Standards for Skilled Migration Assessing Authorities (The Guide). The Guide permits external appeals to be conducted in a section of the organisation not involved with skills assessments or by an external assessor with expertise in the relevant occupation, such as a practitioner, academic, or regulatory/professional body representative, whose primary role is not with the Assessing Authority.

You can request an external appeal within 60 days of receiving your internal review outcome:

  • Your request must include clear reasons why you disagree with the decision.
  • The appeal will be based only on the evidence submitted in your original and internal review applications.

If the external appeal is successful, we will: 

  • issue you with a revised suitable skills assessment outcome letter.
  • update any internal and external system with the new outcome.
  • refund your external appeal fees.

Note: You cannot submit new or updated documents as part of an external appeal.
The appeal outcome is final and not subject to further review.

Before you apply for external appeal

  • Log in to the Migration Skills Assessment portal to submit your request
  • Make sure your internal review outcome is still valid
  • Use the same email address you used in your original and internal review applications

Links and Resources

Migration and visa information

Education and qualifications

Employment and skills

Occupation and employment classification

Qualification verification

  • VETASSESS – Verification service for Chinese qualifications

English language test providers

 

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.

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