How to hire an accountant with visa sponsorship

The candidates available now

Live counts from candidate profiles on SponsorTalent. Search and filter them at /find/accountant; profiles show visa status, location and experience before you unlock contact details.

Where they want to work

Can your business sponsor an accountant?

Accountant (General), ANZSCO 221111, is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Eligible employer visas in our list data: 482, 494 and 186. The occupation you nominate must match the duties of the job: the ANZSCO title is Accountant (General).

Caveat: for the 482 Core Skills stream and the 186 Direct Entry stream the occupation excludes clerical, bookkeeping or accounting clerk positions, and positions in a business with annual turnover under A$1,000,000 or fewer than 5 employees. A position inside a caveat cannot be nominated under this occupation (WIDEN's copy of the Home Affairs list, read 6 November 2026).

The 482 Specialist Skills stream is open to occupations outside ANZSCO major groups 3, 7 and 8 where the salary is at least A$146,576, so it is an option when the salary reaches that level.

Sponsoring from regional Australia opens the 494 as well; see regional sponsorship and DAMA for employers.

What you must pay

The nominated position must pay at least A$79,423 (2026–27 Core Skills Income Threshold for the 482 and 186, and the TSMIT for the 494), and no less than an Australian accountant in the same role and location is paid. SponsorTalent's occupation data puts the market range for accountants at roughly A$70,000 to A$130,000, depending on experience and location. Check a specific offer with the sponsorship salary check.

Checks before you make an offer

The assessing authority is CPA Australia, CA ANZ, or Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). A skills assessment is not needed for every 482: it applies where the Department's instrument lists the occupation for the worker's passport country. Profiles on SponsorTalent show whether a candidate already holds an assessment.

Providing tax agent services for a fee or other reward requires registration with the Tax Practitioners Board, unless an exemption applies. CPA Australia members who offer public accounting services need a public practice certificate under CPA Australia's rules. Check whether the role involves either.

Sources: Tax Practitioners Board: who needs to register · CPA Australia: public practice certification

Who sponsors accountants

Accounting firms (Big 4 and mid-tier), corporate finance teams, government, small business advisors, in-house finance are the usual employers of accountants.

Where the shortage sits, according to our occupation data: consistent regional shortage; high demand for tax and management accountants in metropolitan markets.

The steps

1. Find the candidate. Search accountant candidates and unlock the profiles that fit, or post the role so candidates apply to you.
2. Sponsorship. Your business needs Standard Business Sponsorship (or a labour agreement or DAMA) before it can nominate. WIDEN explains the requirements in how to become an approved sponsor.
3. Nomination. You nominate the position as Accountant (General) at a salary that meets the threshold and the market rate. Costs are in WIDEN's cost to sponsor a worker and our sponsorship cost calculator.
4. Visa. The worker lodges the visa after the nomination. For the legal steps for your case, use a registered migration agent: book WIDEN Migration Experts.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sponsor an accountant on a 482 visa?

Yes. Accountant (General), ANZSCO 221111, is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). In SponsorTalent's list data it is eligible for the 482, 494 and 186 employer-sponsored visas. Your business needs Standard Business Sponsorship (or a labour agreement) before you nominate.

What is the minimum salary for a sponsored accountant?

At least A$79,423 for 2026–27, and no less than the market rate an Australian accountant would be paid for the same job.

How many accountants are looking for sponsorship on SponsorTalent?

The live count is on this page and on the Accountant candidate search at /find/accountant. Profiles are anonymous until you unlock one.

Who handles the sponsorship and nomination?

Your business lodges them, usually through a registered migration agent. WIDEN Migration Experts (MARN 1576536) can prepare the sponsorship, nomination and visa; SponsorTalent itself is a marketplace for finding candidates.