Accountant (General) Career Information

 
Occupation snapshot

157,600 accountants in Australia1

39,242 accountants in Victoria (24.9%)1

Average gross weekly earnings AUD$1,2652

Average weekly hours 40.93

Download Skills Australia’s labour market report for accountants (RTF, 130kb)

A young, Asian accountant walking to work

Victoria is currently offering visa sponsorship for eligible accountants. To be eligible to apply for sponsorship, accountants must:

  • have a minimum of three years experience in a large, international firm and managerial experience
  • have an IELTS score of seven or above in each band
  • meet Victoria's other minimum eligibility requirements
  • address Victoria's sponsorship assessment requirements in your application.

Detailed information about applying for Victorian Government visa sponsorship is available in the Visas and Immigration section.


Licensing and registration

Licensing is only compulsory for accountants wishing to work as tax agents. Please contact the Tax Practitioners Board for further information.

Tax Practitioners Board

PO Box 9825

Penrith NSW 2740

Telephone: 1300 362 829

Website: www.tpb.gov.au
Email: enquirymanagement@tpb.gov.au


Tip

Think about applying for licensing and registration before you arrive in Australia, once you have your visa, as the process can take some time.


Industry contacts

Professional bodies and industry associations are a good source of information about accountants in Victoria.

  • CPA Australia conduct qualifications assessments as well as providing professional development activities and other resources.
  • The Institute of Chartered Accountants plays a role in determining professional and educational standards. The ICAA administers the chartered accountants program as well as providing technical training.
  • The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) has over 20,000 members. It provides professional development activities and business support.
  • Invest Victoria is part of the Department of Business and Innovation. It has strong links to the financial services sector.

Finding a job

Accountants are employed across several industries including: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Financial and Insurance Services; Manufacturing; Public Administration and Safety; and Wholesale Trade.3

Tip

We suggest that you only apply for jobs when your visa to live and work in Australia has been issued. The visa application process can take time, and employers are less likely to employ you if you don’t know when you will arrive in Australia and don’t have a work visa.

To search for Victorian recruiters who specialise in accountants, visit the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association's Member Index.

For more general information on Victoria’s job market, including where and how to find jobs, and workplace culture, visit our Working and Employment section.


Migrating to Victoria

Detailed information about how to migrate to Australia, including information about visa sponsorship from the Victorian Government, is available in the Visas and Immigrating section. You can also find detailed information about visa pathways including employer sponsorship on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s website.



Skill assessment information

For information on obtaining a skill or qualification assessment, and the requirements for practicing your occupation in Australia, please refer to the Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI) website.

The ASRI website provides:

  • a list of all occupations which require skills assessment to practise in Australia if you gained your skills or qualifications overseas
  • information on who to contact to get your skills or qualifications assessed
  • information on who to contact to obtain licensing and registration in a particular state or territory of Australia, if it is required by Australian law
  • links to the websites of the organisations that carry out skills assessment in Australia and the relevant state-level organisations that carry out licensing and registration.

1 Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Job Outlook – Occupation pages – Employment levels. Retrieved February 29 2012 from joboutlook.gov.au

2 Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Job Outlook - Occupation pages. Retrieved February 29 2012 from joboutlook.gov.au. Please note that wages will vary according to your level of skill and qualification. For more information about your wage earning potential, visit the job seeker sites listed above under Finding a Job.

3 Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Job Outlook - Occupation pages - Prospects for Employment. Retrieved February 29 2012 from joboutlook.gov.au

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