Accounting Job Market in Australia (2026 Data)
Accounting is one of the biggest and most stable professional job markets in Australia, and it is one of the easier ones to plan a migration around because the numbers are so consistent year over year. Here is what the current data shows.
How many accountants work in Australia
Jobs and Skills Australia’s occupation matrix counts 225,100 people working as Accountants as of November 2025. That makes it one of the largest single professional occupation groups tracked in the entire matrix.
Growth has been strong too. Employment rose by 25,100 people, or 12.5%, over the past three years. Few professional occupations of this size grew that fast.
Is accounting still growing
Jobs and Skills Australia projects 8.4% growth for accountants over the five years to May 2030. That is a healthy, above-average outlook for a profession this large.
Some other details about who works in accounting in Australia right now:
- 15.7% work part-time
- Women make up 53.5% of the workforce, one of the more balanced splits among Skill Level 1 professions
- Only 4.4% are aged 15 to 24, reflecting how much study and certification this career usually needs before you start
- Unemployment sits below the national average
What do accountants earn in Australia
This is where it pays to look at more than one source, because accounting salaries vary a lot by seniority.
SEEK’s broader salary data, refreshed September 2026, puts the average Accountant salary between $80,000 and $95,000 a year. That figure blends junior and senior roles together.
Robert Half’s 2026 Australia salary guide breaks it down by level, which paints a clearer picture:
- Assistant Accountant: $80,000 to $90,000
- Accountant: $95,000 to $115,000
- Senior Accountant: $110,000 to $135,000
- Financial Accountant: $95,000 to $115,000
- Senior Financial Accountant: $115,000 to $145,000
These are gross salaries and do not include bonuses, benefits or superannuation, according to Robert Half.
Can accountants get sponsored for a visa
Yes, and accounting has more pathways than most professions. Three separate accounting titles sit on Australia’s Core Skills Occupation List:
- Accountant (General), ANZSCO 221111
- Management Accountant, ANZSCO 221112
- Taxation Accountant, ANZSCO 221113
All three are Skill Level 1 occupations, so employers can sponsor eligible candidates through the Skills in Demand visa. Picking the right title for your role matters, since it needs to match what you actually do day to day.
If you are weighing up where to work, our guides on accounting job hubs in Australia and regional cities for accounting jobs cover where demand and visa pathways line up best. For a full breakdown of how sponsorship works now, read our Skills in Demand Visa guide.
FAQ
Is accounting a good career for migrants moving to Australia? Yes. It is a large, steadily growing profession with 225,100 people employed, 12.5% growth over three years, and three separate job titles on the Core Skills Occupation List.
What is the average accountant salary in Australia? SEEK’s blended average is $80,000 to $95,000 a year, but Robert Half’s 2026 guide shows Senior Accountants earning $110,000 to $135,000, so seniority matters a lot.
Which accounting roles are eligible for visa sponsorship in Australia? Accountant (General), Management Accountant and Taxation Accountant are all on the Core Skills Occupation List, making them eligible for the Skills in Demand visa.
Do you need a CPA or CA to work as an accountant in Australia? Full registration is not always required to be employed, but Jobs and Skills Australia rates accounting as Skill Level 1, meaning most employers expect a bachelor’s degree, and further certification like CPA or CA helps with visa skills assessments and career progression.
