Accounting jobs in Australia & New Zealand for US CPAs
Accounting jobs across Australia and New Zealand, straight from employers' hiring pages.
Most Americans move on an employer-sponsored work visa, in Australia and in New Zealand. Tick Sponsors visas to see employers that say they sponsor. What it takes, step by step ↓
CPA Australia and CA ANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand) both have recognition agreements with the US CPA bodies, which give US CPAs a shorter route to the local designation.
Super is the employer's retirement contribution in Australia: 12% of salary, paid on top when the ad says "+ super". New Zealand's version is KiwiSaver, 3.5% from the employer. US dollar amounts use today's exchange rate.
| Found | Employer | Location | Job | US skills | Work mode | Visa | Pay | Source |
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What it takes to work in Australia or New Zealand as a US CPA
Most Americans need a job offer first: the employer sponsors the visa. Accounting jobs qualify, and the rules are friendlier than US sponsorship (no lottery, no cap). In Australia, three ways in:
Most common
Employer-sponsored: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
- A job offer from an employer approved to sponsor. Ads that say "sponsorship available" are the easy ones; big firms and banks sponsor regularly even when the ad doesn't say.
- An accounting job on the list. Accountant (General), Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant and External Auditor are on the Core Skills Occupation List. Bookkeeping and clerk roles don't count.
- 1 year of relevant experience, which most US CPAs clear easily.
- A salary floor: at least A$79,499 a year (Core Skills stream, from 1 July 2026), and at market rate for the role. Pay of A$146,717 or more qualifies for the faster Specialist Skills stream. Both floors rise each July.
- The employer advertises in Australia first (labour market testing), then nominates you.
- No English test for US passport holders. Expect a health check and an FBI police certificate.
Lasts up to 4 years. After 2 years with your sponsor you can usually apply for permanent residency (Employer Nomination, subclass 186).
No employer needed
Points-tested permanent residency (subclass 189 or 190)
- A skills assessment of your degree and experience by CPA Australia, CA ANZ or IPA.
- Points for age, experience, English and qualifications; you're invited only if your score beats the cutoff, which is high for accountants.
- Subclass 190 adds a state nomination, and states pick the occupations they need.
Slow and competitive, but you arrive as a permanent resident.
Under 31
Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
- For US citizens aged 18 to 30. You must apply before your 31st birthday.
- Up to 12 months, usually no more than 6 months with one employer.
- A low-risk way to try Australia, network, and land a sponsoring employer.
Not a long-term route on its own.
- Get the offer. Apply to jobs here; mention you're a US CPA who needs sponsorship.
- Employer nominates you after advertising the role in Australia.
- You apply for the visa online, with your passport, resume, references, health check and FBI check.
- Move. Budget for 2 to 4 weeks of temporary housing while you get a tax file number, bank account and lease.
New Zealand
The usual route is the Accredited Employer Work Visa: a full-time job offer (30+ hours a week) from an employer accredited with Immigration New Zealand, paying at least the median wage for most accounting roles. It lasts up to 5 years.
Accountants aren't on New Zealand's Green List, which gives a direct path to residence (auditors are), so most go from the work visa to the Skilled Migrant Category for residence. Full CA ANZ membership counts toward the points it needs, and US CPAs can get it through the recognition agreement.
Check the official rules at immigration.govt.nz or ask a licensed immigration adviser.
General information, not legal advice. Last checked 4 October 2026; thresholds and lists change, often each July. Check the official rules at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or ask a registered migration agent.
Postings come from employers' own hiring pages (no recruitment agencies) and are rechecked weekly. Visa and pay notes are general information, not legal or tax advice. Also see accounting jobs in the US and in Europe.