Your skilled employment assessment must be completed by the same assessing body responsible for the assessment of your qualifications.

No. Your qualifications must have been assessed 'suitable' before your skilled employment assessment application may be considered.

Only skilled employment gained after the completion of your relevant qualification that resulted in a 'suitable' outcome whereby you meet all the educational criteria will be considered.

The employment in question must require you to work a minimum of 20 hours per week paid at market rate, in your nominated or closely related occupation, in order for your skilled employment to be considered.

No. Your employment must be in your nominated occupation or closely related to your nominated occupation. To determine if an occupation is closely related to your nominated occupation you should refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics website for information on ANZSCO code occupations in the same unit group as your nominated occupation.

Yes, we will assess and provide advice on your skilled employment both in Australia and overseas. DIAC will take this into consideration when making a decision on awarding the points. IPA has no part in DIAC's decision making on this matter.

We will only assess your skilled employment if we have assessed your qualifications as 'suitable'.

Please refer to our FEES AND CHARGES page for current fees.

Yes, we will refund the skilled employment assessment fee.

No. The assessment is based on information and references provided with your application. We will not seek or accept further information at any time. We will not consider a reassessment of skilled employment.

No. You must provide supporting evidence.

Please attach certified true copies of work references on the letterhead of the company or government department providing the employment reference. The letterhead should: show clearly the full address of the company, telephone and fax numbers, email and website address; include the name and position of the referee signing the employment reference, typed or stamped below that referee's signature. The signatory must be your line manager, CEO or HR Manager. A reference where the details of the signatory are illegible will not be accepted; and include the direct contact details of the referee. The reference must include: the period of employment; whether it is permanent, temporary, full or part time employment; the main duties and responsibilities; and your job title/position. Other documents to support your claim may include: contracts of employment; tax returns; and payslips. References for Australian and overseas work experience must relate to employment that is no more than ten years old at the time of lodging your visa application.

1.You may provide a work reference from a senior colleague in the same organisation with expertise closely related to your nominated occupation. This reference must be on or submitted with a Statutory Declaration. A Statutory Declaration is a legal document to be signed and witnessed by an authorised person. The referee must verify their employment and position. This may be by way of their business card, payslips and other relevant evidence. The work reference / Statutory Declaration must include full employer details: i.e. name, address, telephone and fax numbers, email and website address. Information to be provided is per FAQ 12. You should also outline reasons for being unable to obtain an employment reference from your employer. Please note the Institute of Public Accountants is under no obligation to accept references provided by colleagues. There are heavy consequences for applicants who provide fraudulent declarations.

1.You may provide a Statutory Declaration with a detailed explanation of the nature of your business. The following documents must be attached: o Certificate of Business Registration; o Tax Returns for your business; o References/recommendations from business associates (with business cards attached); o Contracts for works undertaken; and o Any other information that demonstrates relevant skilled employment in the course of self-employment. If you worked as a contractor through an agency, a reference from the agency is acceptable. This reference must detail the nature of contract(s), the period(s) of your contract(s) and your key duties and responsibilities. There are heavy consequences for applicants who provide fraudulent declarations.

Please do not include any information that is sensitive or confidential. We only need details of your employment and responsibilities.

Yes. Please ensure they quote the reference number allocated to you by the Institute of Public Accountants. The work reference must be on company letterhead and include the details noted in FAQ 12. The reference must be signed by your immediate supervisor/manager, with their name and position clearly indicated and business card attached.

Fast Track assessments are only available to applicants who have fully completed: all 16 units of a Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) degree with an Australian university, an undergraduate degree with an Australian university, or a 12 unit MPA with an Australian university after an underpinning undergraduate degree. Fast Track assessments will not normally be available to applicants who have received exemptions or advanced standing for prior studies from overseas. If you have an approved Australian degree, but currently reside overseas, you can still take advantage of the Fast Track 5 option. Please remember that whilst we will finalise your assessment within five business days, receipt of the assessment outcome letter will depend on the postal services.

pplications submitted with the Institute of Public Accountants Head Office by holders of approved Australian degrees by 11am Monday through Thursday will be assessed and the assessment outcome letter ready for collection by 5pm the next business day. For example: if you were to lodge by 11am Monday, your assessment outcome letter would be ready for collection by no later than 5pm on Tuesday.

Distances mean it will not be possible for applications lodged outside the Melbourne area to be returned within 30 hours. These will, however, be assessed in no more than five business days from the date of receipt, and the assessment outcome letter mailed to the applicant by Express Post. For example: If an application is received at 4pm Friday at Head Office, the assessment will be completed and the assessment outcome letter express posted not later than 4pm Friday of the following week (five business days later). Please note: the 'five business days' does not include the time Australia Post takes to deliver the letter.

All Fast Track applications costs can be found here. This amount is non refundable

No. The Institute of Public Accountants is obliged to apply the same standards to all assessments. The Fast Track is a rapid response assessment service, not a guarantee that your application will be successful

Distances mean it will not be possible for applications lodged outside the Melbourne area to be returned within 30 hours. Fast Track 5 is the alternative option.

Yes. The normal reassessment fee will apply.

When overseas qualifications are to be relied upon either fully or in part for an assessment, the applicant must provide full details. In these cases, because of the time involved in reviewing and assessing evidence in relation to overseas qualifications, the Fast Track service would not normally be suitable.

You will be required to have completed relevant studies that meet at least 9 out of the 12 core knowledge areas at tertiary level. Each nominated occupation has 4 compulsory and 5 optional core knowledge areas.

No. You must nominate the occupation that will also apply in your GSM application to DIAC. You may change your nominated occupation at any time, including after the assessment. This change request must be made on a reassessment application form. Supporting documentation relating to qualifications must show evidence that you meet the four compulsory core requirements for the changed nominated occupation.

A skills assessment is valid for a period of two years from the date of the assessment. Successful appeal/reviews are valid for two years from the reassessment outcome date.

Yes, you may request a withdrawal of your application. If we have not yet commenced your skills assessment you will be refunded the fee (less AUD80 administration fee). Please make your request in writing via email to our Assessment Unit on [email protected].

Yes, the application form must indicate the address to which all correspondence will be mailed. It is the authorised person's responsibility to pass correspondence on to the applicant. You must provide a written authority to allow us to discuss details of the assessment with the authorised third party.

Correspondence from the Institute of Public Accountants in relation to your assessment covers the following areas: General Information: A brief background of the qualifications required for a positive assessment. Assessment advice: Advice on whether your qualifications are comparable to at least an Australian Bachelor degree and, if so, whether your qualifications include adequate coverage of at least 9 of the 12 core curriculum areas. If you do not meet the core areas, the correspondence lists the core requirements needed by you in order to meet requirements for a positive assessment. The wording used has been approved by DIAC and AEI-NOOSR. If the correspondence advises that your qualification is comparable to an Australian Bachelors degree, and you meet at least 9 out of the 12 core knowledge areas (including the four compulsory core requirements for your nominated occupation); you may use this qualifications assessment for your migration application.

Yes. Please note that the migration agent's name, RMA number and date must also be clearly shown under the signature on every page.

You are welcome to seek a reassessment and can forward these further documents for review in support of your claim. You will need to complete a reassessment application form and forward it with certified true copies of all supporting documents.

From 1 July 2010 graduates of Australian accounting degrees who receive an assessment showing they have: a formal qualification; completed at least 9 of the 12 core knowledge areas at tertiary level, including the four that are compulsory for their nominated occupation; and IELTS Academic or General Training Test Report Form (TRF) showing a band score of at least 6.0 in each of the four components will be able to use their qualifications assessments to apply for a 485 visa. The IPA will only accept the applicant's IELTS TRF that is not more than two years old from the test date.

The 485 visa provides a stay period of 18 months.

The 485 visa is the first step. As part of the second step you will be eligible to apply for a permanent resident (PR) visa with DIAC if you provide evidence of: IELTS Academic English with a band score of at least 7.0 in all four components; or satisfactory completion of the Skilled Migration Internship Program - Accounting (SMIPA).

You must submit your application to the same body responsible for your first assessment. Your PR application must include all supporting documents showing you have achieved either: IELTS Academic English; or Satisfactorily completed the Skilled Migration Internship Program - Accounting (SMIPA).

The IPA has been advised by DIAC that graduates will be able to use this updated assessment to apply for general skilled migration (GSM). DIAC introduced SkillSelect on 1 July 2012, with transitional arrangements in place until 31 December 2012 for international students. Please check with DIAC or a migration agent/lawyer directly for more information or if you have queries regarding your personal situation.

You will lodge an application with the IPA, who will issue an updated assessment, which you are then able to provide to DIAC as evidence.

To receive a successful assessment of your qualification, you must have: A qualification (with a sequence in accounting or relevant field) from an accredited educational institution which is assessed as comparable to an Australian Bachelors degree; and The curriculum of your qualification(s) must be comparable to the curriculum of an Australian Bachelors degree in 9 of the following 12 core areas, including the four that are compulsory for each of the nominated occupations: Basic Accounting Cost and Management Accounting Financial and Corporate Accounting Auditing and Assurance Contemporary Accounting Issues (standards and theory) Business Finance Introductory/Commercial Law (including contract law) Economics Statistics Computer Information Systems Taxation Law Company Law

If you have a qualification (with a sequence in accounting or relevant field) that is comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree and you have successfully completed any of the following professional qualifications by examinations: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK (ACCA) Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK (CIMA) Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, UK (CIPFA) Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales Only Associate membership obtained through a program of study and examinations and practical training will be considered Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) ) Only Associate membership obtained through a program of study and examinations and practical training will be considered Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) Only Associate membership obtained through a program of study and examinations and practical training will be considered. Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland Only Chartered membership obtained through a program of study and examinations and practical training will be considered Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka Only Associate membership obtained through a program of study and examinations and practical training will be considered Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP) Only Associate membership obtained through a program of study and examinations and practical training will be considered American Institute of Certified Public Accountants* Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants* Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants* Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland* Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland* Le Conseil Superieur de l'Ordre des Experts-Comptables, France* South African Institute of Chartered Accountants* If you are a member (by examination) of a professional body without an asterisk, it is likely that your professional qualification is comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree.

No. There are large numbers of institutions worldwide, and many qualifications are limited by the Division, Class or Aggregate Grade awarded. In determining the status of your educational institution and qualification, the Institute of Public Accountants uses the guidelines published in the relevant AEI-NOOSR Country Education Profiles.

Certified true copies of original academic awards and academic transcripts are required. Please note that documents submitted for assessment will not be returned. You should only submit certified true copies of original documents. You may also like to make extra copies for your own record. We will accept documents endorsed by any of the following in Australia: Commissioner for Oaths Justice of the Peace Notary Public Lawyer Medical Practitioner Member of the Police Force Registered Migration Agents For countries other than Australia, the following parties are acceptable as endorsees of documents and legal declarations, or as witnesses to sworn affidavits: Notary Public Commissioner for Oaths An Australian Consulate/High Commission/Embassy official. The endorsement must clearly state the officer's name, signature, title or role of capacity, registration number and date, and state that the copies are true and unaltered reproductions of the original documents. You must submit the original endorsement for assessment.

An academic transcript is the official record of your results produced by your education institution. Nothing apart from the official transcript of the education institution(s) will be accepted. If the official transcript is not in English, a certified English translation is also to be provided. Academic transcripts often contain information of the grading system or subject legend. This must be included. If your academic transcript indicates that you were given credit (exemption) towards your qualification from previous studies, you must also include documents relevant to and in support of this study.

Yes. You must provide adequate syllabus details which demonstrate that your studies fully cover the core curriculum areas. Failure to provide these details may adversely affect your assessment or delay its completion.

Most institutions retain historic course information. You should contact the institution first to determine whether they have archived the information. If the institution cannot provide the information, you should attempt to obtain information that is as close as possible to the course studied and indicate the differences between this information and the course studied. If providing the course handbook, please mark the relevant pages.

You must prepare your own summary of the topics covered in each subject and submit this with a Statutory Declaration that the information given is true and correct. The Statutory Declaration must include the reason for providing your own summary, and that all attempts have been made by you to obtain relevant syllabus details. Please note that a Statutory Declaration is a legal document and must be witnessed and signed by an authorised attester such as a Justice of Peace or Notary Public.

If your institution cannot provide syllabus details, you should prepare your own summary of topics and submit this with a Statutory Declaration stating that the information is true and correct. The Statutory Declaration must include the reasons for providing your own summary, and that you have made all attempts to obtain relevant syllabus details. Please note that a Statutory Declaration is a legal document and must be witnessed and signed by an authorised attester such as a Justice of Peace or Notary Public.

Each subject outline should contain enough detail to demonstrate that your studies adequately cover each of the core knowledge areas. The greater the detail, the easier the assessment will be.

Yes. You must provide full curriculum detail of all studies relevant to your assessment including studies for which you have received credit. The award (if any), transcripts and relevant subject outlines are required to support the exemptions.

No. You must wait until you have finished your studies. You will need to provide the letter of completion and full official academic transcript with your application as evidence of completion.

No. An AAT qualification is assessed as comparable to an Australian Advanced Diploma only.

A maximum of two PCs will be considered for assessment against basic core requirements.

No. Please note that only a full 12 and 16 unit Master of Professional Accounting program, without exemptions, from an accredited Australian University is accepted as equivalent to a relevant first degree

All Chinese qualifications must be verified by Vetassess in Melbourne, Australia. You must firstly submit an application to the Institute of Public Accountants, on receipt of which you will receive a reference number that must be quoted to VetAssess when you submit a verification application to them. Your Bachelor Degree Certificate and Academic Transcript in both Chinese and English translation must be submitted for verification. Vetassess must send the verification report direct to the Institute of Public Accountants quoting your IPA reference number. We will complete the assessment upon receipt of the verification report. Please note that this verification report will also be required by DIAC as part of the skilled migration application process.

Yes. You can request that these additional studies be taken into consideration. To do so you will need to complete a reassessment application form and forward it, together with a certified true copy of the official academic transcript/results and a completion letter from the university (if applicable).