How to get sponsored as an accountant in Australia

Which visa can an accountant be sponsored on?

482 Core Skills: available, up to 4 years. The caveat applies.

482 Specialist Skills: available where the position pays at least A$146,576. Accountants are in ANZSCO major group 2, which is not excluded from the stream.

494: available for employers in designated regional areas; 5-year visa, 191 after 3 years.

186 Direct Entry: available; the caveat applies. The Temporary Residence Transition stream is available after 2 years of full-time work with approved sponsors in the 3 years before nomination.

Occupation list status, ANZSCO code and assessing authority

• Occupation: Accountant (General), ANZSCO 221111. Lists: MLTSSL and Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL: yes).
• Employer visas: 482 Core Skills, 494 employer sponsored stream, 186 Direct Entry. Also listed for 189, 190, 407, 485, 489 and 491.
• Assessing authorities: CAANZ, CPAA or IPA.

Caveat, quoted from the occupation data: "report caveats apply Accountant (General) Caveats apply 482 - Skills in Demand (subclass 482) - Core Skills stream Low skilled tasks Excludes clerical, bookkeeping or accounting clerk positions Business size Excludes any position in a business that has an annual turnover of less than AUD1,000,000. Business size Excludes any position in a business that has fewer than 5 employees. report caveats apply Accountant (General) Caveats apply 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) - Direct Entry Pathway Low skilled tasks Excludes clerical, bookkeeping or accounting clerk positions Business size Excludes any position in a business that has an annual turnover of less than AUD1,000,000. Business size Excludes any position in a business that has fewer than 5 employees."

Salary versus the threshold

The nominated position must pay at least A$79,423 and no less than an Australian accountant in the same role at the same employer would be paid. If the position pays A$146,576 or more the employer can use the Specialist Skills stream instead. SponsorTalent does not publish average accountant salaries; compare the written offer with the thresholds below.

Skills assessment and licensing

The assessing authorities are CAANZ, CPA Australia and IPA. A skills assessment is required only where the Department's instrument lists Accountant (General) for your passport country. No state licence applies to working as an employed accountant; tax agent or auditor registration is regulated separately and is not a visa requirement.

Work experience and English

• 482 Core Skills: at least 1 year of relevant experience in the last 5 years; IELTS 5.0 in each band or equivalent (tests from 13 September 2025); up to 4 years.
• 494: 3 years of experience, IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent, under 45 unless exempt; 5-year visa, 191 after 3 years.
• 186: under 45 unless exempt, IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent; TRT stream needs 2 years of full-time work with approved sponsors in the 3 years before nomination.

Step by step: accountant applying from outside Australia

1. Confirm you are inside the rules before spending money: the employer has turnover of at least A$1,000,000 and at least 5 employees, and the role is an accountant position rather than a bookkeeping or accounting clerk role.
2. Sit an English test unless your passport exempts you (IELTS 5.0 each band for a 482, 6.0 for a 186 or 494). Accountants are assessed by CAANZ, CPAA or IPA where the instrument lists the occupation for your passport country.
3. Register at /register-candidate; employers searching /find/accountant see your profile. Apply at /sponsored-jobs/accountant and accept only a written offer of at least A$79,423.
4. The employer obtains Standard Business Sponsorship and lodges a nomination; you lodge the visa after that. Do not resign or travel until it is granted.

Step by step: accountant already in Australia

On a 485, 417, 462 or 500 visa you cannot move to a sponsored visa on your own: an employer must hold Standard Business Sponsorship and lodge a nomination before you can apply. A job offer is not a nomination.

1. Keep meeting your current visa conditions while the nomination is prepared.
2. Check the caveat. Many 485 graduates work in small firms; an employer with turnover under A$1,000,000 or fewer than 5 employees cannot nominate an accountant for the 482 Core Skills stream or 186 Direct Entry.
3. If your employer will not sponsor you, register at /register-candidate and apply to sponsored accountant vacancies; employers seeking onshore candidates use /find/accountant.
4. Apply for the visa before your current visa expires so you receive a bridging visa.

Already on a 482? You may be without a sponsor for up to 180 consecutive days, and 365 days in total across the visa, while a new employer lodges a nomination.

For employers: how to sponsor an accountant

1. Standard Business Sponsorship. A$420, once; half decided in 12 days, 90% within 4 months.
2. Nomination. A$330 for a 482; half decided in 5 days, 90% within 9 months. Show the position is genuine, pays at least A$79,423 and the market rate, and that the business has annual turnover of at least A$1,000,000 and at least 5 employees, and the position is not a clerical, bookkeeping or accounting clerk role.
3. Visa. Lodged by the candidate. 482 Core Skills: 69 days for half of cases, 10 months for 90%; 186 Direct Entry 10 / 14 months; 494 7 / 11 months (Department figures, 4 August 2026).
4. SAF levy. A$1,200 per year of the 482 if turnover is under A$10 million, otherwise A$1,800; one-off A$3,000 or A$5,000 for a 186 or 494. Levy and fees cannot be passed to the worker.

Search sponsorship-ready accountant candidates at /find/accountant; profiles show visa status, location and experience before you unlock contact details.

Frequently asked questions

Can an accountant be sponsored on a 482 visa in Australia?

Yes. Accountant (General), ANZSCO 221111, is on the Core Skills Occupation List and eligible for the 482 Core Skills stream, the 494 and the 186 Direct Entry, subject to the business size and duties caveat.

Can a small accounting firm sponsor an accountant?

Not under the 482 Core Skills stream or 186 Direct Entry if it has annual turnover under A$1,000,000 or fewer than 5 employees. The caveat also excludes clerical, bookkeeping and accounting clerk positions.

What salary does a sponsored accountant need?

At least A$79,423 for 2026–27 (CSIT for the 482 and 186, TSMIT for the 494) and no less than an Australian in the same role. A position paying A$146,576 or more can use the 482 Specialist Skills stream.

Who assesses an accountant's qualifications?

CAANZ, CPA Australia or IPA. A skills assessment is only required where the Department's instrument lists Accountant (General) for your passport country.

I am on a 485 visa working as an accountant. How do I get sponsored?

Your employer must hold Standard Business Sponsorship, meet the caveat on turnover and staff numbers, and lodge a nomination for you before you can apply. Your 485 does not convert to a 482 on its own.