Planning for Australian PR as an accountant? Boost your points strategy for ANZSCO 221111, 221112 or 221113 and explore the 189 & 190 visa pathways.
Securing Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia as an accountant—whether under ANZSCO 221111 (General Accountant), 221112 (Management Accountant), or 221113 (Taxation Accountant)—is highly competitive. While the baseline requirement to register an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect is 65 points, actual invitation rounds demand significantly higher scores for accounting profiles.
To stand out in the pool for the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) or the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190), you need a proactive strategy to maximize every category on the Points Test.
1. Secure Superior English Proficiency (+20 Points)
English test results remain the quickest leverage for boosting your total points. While “Competent English” gives you 0 points, achieving Superior English adds 20 points to your EOI.
- Competent English: 0 Points (IELTS 6.0 in each band / PTE 50 in each band)
- Proficient English: 10 Points (IELTS 7.0 in each band / PTE 65 in each band)
- Superior English: 20 Points (IELTS 8.0 in each band / PTE 79 in each band)
Pro Tip: Accounting candidates who miss Superior English by a narrow margin often benefit from structured PTE Academic preparation, as target scores are generally achieved faster through specialized practice.
2. Complete an Accounting Professional Year Program (+5 Points)
For onshore graduates, enrolling in a Department of Home Affairs-approved Professional Year (PY) Program in Accounting is a reliable pathway.
- Bonus Points: Completing a 44-week program (combining coursework and an internship) grants 5 additional points.
- Skills Assessment Advantage: A Professional Year can also satisfy the mandatory employment/training requirement for a positive skills assessment with CPA Australia, CA ANZ, or IPA if you fall short on English test thresholds for skills assessment purposes.
3. Pass the NAATI CCL Test (+5 Points)
The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) Community Language Credential (CCL) allows you to earn 5 points by interpreting dialogue in a community language at a conversational level.
- Format: Online, remote test consisting of two dialogue recordings.
- Timeline: Prep usually takes 4–8 weeks, making it one of the fastest options to gain 5 points.
4. Optimize Your Age Bracket (+30 Points Max)
Age allocation follows strict brackets based on your exact age when the invitation is issued:
Age Bracket | Points Awarded |
18 – 24 years | 25 points |
25 – 32 years | 30 points (Maximum) |
33 – 39 years | 25 points |
40 – 44 years | 15 points |
Strategy: If you are turning 33 soon, submit your skills assessment, NAATI CCL, and language tests as early as possible to lock in maximum points before dropping to the 25-point bracket.
5. Validate Skilled Employment Experience (+20 Points Max)
Skilled work experience must be relevant to accounting and performed for at least 20 hours per week for pay. Points are split between overseas and Australian work experience (capped at 20 points combined):
Australian Skilled Work Experience
- 1 – 2 years: 5 points
- 3 – 4 years: 10 points
- 5 – 7 years: 15 points
- 8+ years: 20 points
Overseas Skilled Work Experience
- 3 – 4 years: 5 points
- 5 – 7 years: 10 points
- 8+ years: 15 points
Important: Work experience points are only valid if recognized by your assessing body (CPA, CA ANZ, or IPA) or verified as closely related post-qualification work.
6. Maximize Partner Points (+10 Points)
Your marital or de facto status directly impacts your overall score:
- Single Applicants: 10 points automatically.
- Skilled Partner: 10 points if your partner is under 45, has Competent English, and holds a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the same skilled occupation list.
- Partner with Competent English Only: 5 points.
- Partner is Australian Citizen or PR: 10 points.
7. Target State Nomination via Subclass 190 (+5 Extra Points)
For the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa, you rely entirely on your points score and national invitation rounds. However, applying for State Nomination (Subclass 190) provides:
- An automatic 5 additional points added to your total.
- Access to state-specific allocation pools, which may have distinct selection criteria (e.g., local employment, regional residence, or specific earning thresholds depending on the state).
Example Maximum Strategy Breakdown for an Onshore Accountant
Factor | Detail | Points |
Age | 25–32 years | 30 |
English | Superior (PTE 79+ / IELTS 8.0+) | 20 |
Education | Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree | 15 |
Australian Work | 1 Year Skilled Australian Work Experience | 5 |
Professional Year | Completed Accounting PY | 5 |
NAATI CCL | Passed Credentialed Community Language | 5 |
Partner Status | Single or Skilled Partner | 10 |
190 Nomination | State Nomination | 5 |
Estimated Total | Subclass 190 Profile | 95 Points |
Strategic Advice from Mangalath Immigration
- Avoid Over-Claiming Points: Claiming points for work experience or study that cannot be substantiated during the visa application stage can lead to visa refusal under Public Interest Criterion 4020 (PIC 4020) for misleading information.
- Keep EOI Profiles Updated: Ensure your EOI is promptly updated when work experience thresholds cross a milestone (e.g., moving from 2 to 3 years) or when new test results arrive.
- Explore Parallel Regional Options: In addition to Subclass 189 and 190, consider the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa, which offers an additional 15 nomination points.
Contact the team at Mangalath Immigration Pty Ltd today to review your skills assessment, optimize your SkillSelect profile, and build an effective pathway to Australian Permanent Residency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The minimum requirement to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) on SkillSelect is 65 points. However, due to high demand in accounting occupations, successful candidates generally require significantly higher competitive scores.
Work experience can only be claimed if it is performed after obtaining your relevant qualification (or meeting the baseline skilled standard), paid, and for a minimum of 20 hours per week. Unpaid work or casual work under 20 hours per week cannot be claimed for points.
Accounting skills assessments can be completed through CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), or the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). All three are recognized by the Department of Home Affairs.
The Subclass 189 is an independent visa with no state sponsorship requirements. The Subclass 190 is a state-nominated permanent visa that adds 5 points to your score but requires a commitment to live and work in the nominating state for a specified period (typically two years).
📌 Disclaimer
This disclaimer applies to all social media posts / website from Mangalath Immigration and its associated entities. Content in these posts does not constitute immigration or legal advice, is not intended as a substitute for such advice and must not be relied upon as such. The material is designed to provide an informative guideline (current at the time of publication and subject to changes) for general informational purposes only. Please consult an Australian MARA registered agent or Australian Lawyer for professional advice before you make any type of application.