Study Accounting in Australia 2027: Fees & Requirements

If you want to study accounting in Australia in 2027, choosing a university is only part of the decision. You also need to compare the course itself, tuition fees, entry requirements, professional recognition, intake dates and where the qualification could realistically take you after graduation.

The short answer is that Australia remains a strong place to study accounting. International students can choose a Bachelor of Accounting, a Bachelor of Commerce with an accounting major, a Master of Professional Accounting or, in some cases, a diploma or pathway programme.

The important bit is choosing the right one.

A famous university name will not fix a course that does not fit your background, budget or professional plans. This guide focuses on the decisions a 2027 applicant actually needs to make.

Study Accounting in Australia 2027: Quick Facts

Area	2027 planning guide
Main accounting study routes	Diploma or pathway, Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Commerce with Accounting, Master of Professional Accounting
Typical duration	Diploma: about 6 to 18 months; Bachelor: usually 3 years; Master: commonly 1.5 to 2 years
Indicative university tuition	Roughly AUD 25,000 to AUD 62,000+ per year
Main intakes	February or March and July; some universities offer additional intakes
Student visa	Usually Student visa subclass 500 for eligible on-campus international study
Current Student visa charge	AUD 2,500 for most primary applicants
Student living-cost benchmark	AUD 29,710 for 12 months
Student work limit	Up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session, subject to visa conditions
Professional bodies	CPA Australia, CA ANZ and IPA
2027 international education planning level	295,000 new international student commencements
Accounting Professional Year	Discontinued

These are useful planning figures, not universal quotes. Course fees, scholarships, entry rules and intake availability differ between universities.

If you are still comparing subject areas, looking at the wider Australian study route can help you place accounting within the full admission and visa journey.

What Has Changed for Accounting Students in Australia in 2027?

There is a good reason to be careful with older accounting guides.

Australia has set a National Planning Level of 295,000 new international student commencements for 2027, keeping it at the same level as 2026. Course availability therefore matters, particularly at universities with strong international demand.

Visa costs have also changed. From 1 July 2026, the standard Student visa application charge increased to AUD 2,500 for most primary applicants.

Most Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. That can help with day-to-day expenses, but it should not become the foundation of your tuition plan.

There is also an accounting-specific change that still appears incorrectly in older articles.

The Accounting Professional Year Programme has closed. New students planning for 2027 should not choose an accounting degree because somebody has promised a Professional Year pathway afterwards. Instead, focus on course recognition, professional accreditation, skills and employability.

For a broader view of the application process, it can help to understand how international students typically prepare for Australian study.

Why Study Accounting in Australia?

Accounting is sometimes described as a "safe" degree. That is not quite the right way to think about it.

A better reason to study accounting is its reach.

Accountants work in public practice, banking, government, technology companies, healthcare, construction, retail, education and almost every other sector that needs financial reporting, budgeting, taxation, controls or business advice.

A well-structured accounting course can develop knowledge in:

• financial accounting and reporting
• management accounting
• audit and assurance
• taxation
• business and corporations law
• economics and finance
• accounting information systems
• business analytics
• professional communication

Here is the thing many students realise quite late: employers do not hire an accounting graduate simply because the word "Accounting" appears on the certificate.

A graduate who can use Excel confidently, understand Xero or MYOB, interpret financial data and explain a problem clearly to a manager may have a much stronger practical profile.

There is another slightly counterintuitive point. The highest-ranked university is not automatically the best accounting choice.

Suppose one suitable degree costs AUD 47,000 a year and another costs more than AUD 60,000. Over three years, that difference becomes substantial. If both support your professional pathway, the more expensive name needs to offer something valuable enough to justify the extra cost.

That is the type of comparison worth making.

Accounting Courses in Australia for International Students

There is no single accounting programme that suits every international student.

Your academic background should normally decide where you start.

Course type	Usually suitable for	Typical duration	Indicative annual tuition
Diploma or pathway	Students seeking an alternative entry route	6 to 18 months	AUD 8,000 to AUD 25,000
Bachelor of Accounting	School leavers focused on accounting	Around 3 years	AUD 25,000 to AUD 55,000+
Bachelor of Commerce with Accounting	Students wanting accounting plus broader business study	Around 3 years	AUD 30,000 to AUD 60,000+
Master of Professional Accounting	Graduates, including many from non-accounting backgrounds	Commonly 1.5 to 2 years	AUD 30,000 to AUD 62,000+

Which Accounting Course Is Right for You?

A quick way to narrow the options is to start with what you have already studied.

Your background or goal	Route worth considering
You have completed secondary school	Bachelor of Accounting
You want accounting plus broader business options	Bachelor of Commerce with an accounting major
You already hold a non-accounting Bachelor degree	Master of Professional Accounting
You already have an accounting qualification	Check CPA Australia or CA ANZ academic eligibility
You do not yet meet direct Bachelor entry	Diploma or recognised university pathway

That table is only a starting point. Individual universities set their own admission requirements.

Diploma and Accounting Pathway Courses

A diploma or pathway can work well if you need an alternative entry route into university or want more practical introductory study.

Subjects may cover bookkeeping, payroll, accounting software, business records, basic taxation and financial reporting.

Do not choose a pathway simply because the first-year price looks low.

Check whether the programme appears on the official CRICOS register, whether it provides credit towards a Bachelor degree and whether the course structure supports your longer-term plan.

Students working with a tighter budget can also compare lower-cost study options in Australia before settling on one route.

Bachelor of Accounting in Australia

A Bachelor of Accounting in Australia is the most direct undergraduate option for many school leavers who already know they want an accounting-related career.

Most programmes take about three years full-time.

Typical subjects include:

• financial accounting
• management accounting
• audit
• taxation
• business law
• economics
• finance
• accounting systems

Real 2027 fees show why comparing programmes matters.

RMIT University lists its Bachelor of Accounting at approximately AUD 47,040 for a 2027 international student's annual tuition, with February and July intakes.

Macquarie University's 2027 international guide lists its Bachelor of Professional Accounting at approximately AUD 46,900 per year, also with February and July entry.

The figures are close. Other Australian universities can be considerably more expensive.

Bachelor of Commerce with an Accounting Major

A Commerce degree can make more sense if you want accounting without making your entire undergraduate programme narrowly accounting-focused.

Depending on the university, you may combine accounting with finance, economics, analytics, marketing, information systems or another business discipline.

Think about it this way.

A Bachelor of Accounting says, "I know my main field."

A Bachelor of Commerce with Accounting says, "Accounting is my main business specialisation, but I want room to build around it."

Neither is automatically better.

What matters is whether the accounting units cover the professional knowledge areas you may need later.

Master of Professional Accounting in Australia

A Master of Professional Accounting, often shortened to MPA, is particularly relevant to graduates.

Your first degree does not always need to be in accounting.

For example, someone with an engineering degree who later moved into project budgeting may not want to restart with another three-year undergraduate degree. An MPA may offer a more logical route into professional accounting study if the university accepts that applicant's previous qualification.

A typical MPA includes:

• financial reporting
• management accounting
• audit
• taxation
• economics
• finance
• business law
• accounting systems

Deakin University's 2027 Master of Professional Accounting provides a useful real-world price point. Its published estimate is approximately AUD 48,000 for a typical full-time year, with March, July and November 2027 intakes.

The actual total depends on your entry point, course length and any recognised prior learning.

Study CPA in Australia for International Students: How Does It Work?

This is one of the easiest parts of Australian accounting study to misunderstand.

CPA Australia is not simply another university accounting degree.

For many students, the route looks like this:

Eligible tertiary qualification → required accounting knowledge → CPA Program eligibility → CPA Program and professional experience requirements

CPA Australia checks whether university programmes meet its academic requirements. Before accepting an accounting offer, use the CPA Australia accredited course search to check the institution, programme and relevant study year.

Here is a simple way to think about the pathway:

Your position	What to investigate
School leaver	A recognised Bachelor accounting route
Graduate from another subject	Master of Professional Accounting
Existing accounting graduate	CPA Program eligibility
Interested in becoming a Chartered Accountant	CA ANZ academic requirements
Missing required knowledge areas	Recognised additional study or foundation requirements

CPA Australia generally expects a recognised degree comparable to Australian Bachelor level, or qualifying postgraduate study, before full progression through its professional pathway.

An accredited university degree can make that process easier, but a course not appearing in the accreditation search is not automatically useless. CPA Australia can assess qualifications individually.

The smart move is to check before enrolment rather than after graduation.

CPA Australia vs CA ANZ: What Should You Check?

CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, usually known as CA ANZ, are two major professional accounting bodies.

Students sometimes ask which one is "better". That question is too broad.

First ask whether your chosen degree covers the right academic areas.

CA ANZ identifies competence areas including:

• Accounting Fundamentals
• Audit and Assurance
• Business Law
• Economics
• Financial Accounting and Reporting
• Finance
• Information and Communications Technology
• Management Accounting
• Taxation

You can review the current CA ANZ accredited study requirements before choosing a programme.

This matters because two universities can both advertise a "Master of Professional Accounting" while using different subject structures.

The title alone does not tell the full story.

Best Universities for Accounting in Australia

Students searching for the best universities for accounting in Australia often start with rankings.

Use rankings to create a shortlist, not to finish it.

Universities commonly considered for accounting and business study include UNSW Sydney, Monash University, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, Macquarie University, RMIT University, Deakin University, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia and University of Technology Sydney.

For an international student, this comparison is more useful than a simple top-ten list:

Example 2027 option	Course	Typical duration	Main 2027 intake	Indicative annual international tuition
RMIT University	Bachelor of Accounting	3 years	February, July	AUD 47,040
Macquarie University	Bachelor of Professional Accounting	3 years	February, July	AUD 46,900
Deakin University	Master of Professional Accounting	Depends on entry point	March, July, November	AUD 48,000 for a typical full-time year

These examples show something useful: good accounting options exist across different course formats and universities, and their prices do not move in perfect step with ranking positions.

Before applying, compare at least these factors:

What to compare	Why it matters
Exact qualification	Accounting may be a degree, major or postgraduate conversion route
CRICOS registration	Important for eligible international on-campus study
CPA or CA recognition	Protects future professional options
Tuition	Changes your full study budget
Duration	Affects total tuition and living costs
2027 intake	Not every programme starts at the same time
Course subjects	Check tax, audit, law, reporting and systems
Practical experience	Internships and work-integrated learning can add real value
Location	Housing and transport can alter your total cost significantly

If you prefer government-backed institutions, compare public university choices across Australia.

Students who want to compare accounting within wider business education can also look at Australian business-school options.

Accounting Degree Cost in Australia

The accounting degree cost in Australia varies widely enough that using one national figure can be misleading.

A practical 2027 planning range is:

Course	Indicative annual tuition
Diploma or pathway	AUD 8,000 to AUD 25,000
Bachelor of Accounting	AUD 25,000 to AUD 55,000+
Bachelor of Commerce with Accounting	AUD 30,000 to AUD 60,000+
Master of Professional Accounting	AUD 30,000 to AUD 62,000+
Higher-fee business programmes	Can exceed AUD 60,000

For comparison, an international student paying about AUD 46,900 to AUD 48,000 per year faces roughly AUD 140,000 to AUD 144,000 in tuition over a three-year Bachelor programme if fees stayed unchanged.

They usually do not stay unchanged.

Universities commonly review international tuition each year, so leave room for annual increases in your budget.

What Else Does an International Student Need to Pay?

Tuition is only one line.

The current Student visa financial-capacity calculation uses AUD 29,710 for 12 months of living costs for the student applicant.

That is a visa benchmark, not a promise that AUD 29,710 will cover every lifestyle in every Australian city.

You should also budget for:

• the Student visa application charge
• Overseas Student Health Cover
• flights
• accommodation bond and advance rent
• food
• transport
• books or software
• laptop and study equipment
• emergency expenses

The current Student visa charge is AUD 2,500 for most primary applicants. Check the latest government visa charges before lodging because fees can change.

For a city-level estimate, the Study Australia cost-of-living calculator is more useful than guessing from somebody else's monthly budget.

OSHC is another unavoidable planning item for most students. Understanding how health cover fits into your Australian study budget can prevent a surprise after you receive an offer.

Scholarships for Accounting Students in Australia

Scholarships can reduce the cost, but treat them as an advantage rather than the foundation of your financial plan.

Universities offer different types of support:

• academic merit awards
• international student grants
• country-specific grants
• faculty scholarships
• tuition discounts
• leadership scholarships

Some current 2027 examples are quite concrete.

Monash University has published international study grants of AUD 5,000, AUD 10,000 or AUD 15,000 for eligible applicants from selected countries, including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Other awards use percentage tuition reductions rather than a fixed amount.

That leads to a sensible budgeting rule: shortlist courses you can realistically finance without winning a scholarship, then calculate how an award would improve the position.

You can compare Australian funding opportunities for international students while checking each shortlisted university's own scholarship rules.

Accounting Requirements in Australia for International Students

Accounting requirements in Australia depend on the course level and university.

Bachelor Entry Requirements

A Bachelor applicant will generally need:

• a recognised secondary qualification comparable to Australian Year 12
• the required academic result
• English-language evidence
• academic transcripts and certificates
• passport or identity documents
• any subject prerequisites required by the university

Some accounting or Commerce courses may require mathematics. Others may not.

Check the exact programme.

Master of Professional Accounting Entry Requirements

A Master's applicant will usually need:

• a recognised Bachelor degree
• the university's minimum academic result
• English-language evidence
• academic transcripts
• passport
• any additional documents requested for the application

Many Master of Professional Accounting programmes accept students who did not major in accounting before.

That is one reason the MPA has become a popular accounting conversion route for international graduates.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic requirements around 6.0 to 6.5 overall are common across Australian business programmes, although minimum component scores vary.

Universities may also accept alternatives such as PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT.

Do not rely on a general English-score table to decide whether you qualify. University admission rules and Student visa evidence are separate checks.

If your academic history includes a long break, it is also worth understanding how to present a study gap for Australia before submitting an application.

2027 Intakes for Accounting Courses in Australia

February or March and July remain the main intake periods for accounting courses, but not every university follows the same calendar.

For example:

University and course	2027 intake examples
RMIT Bachelor of Accounting	February, July
Macquarie Bachelor of Professional Accounting	February, July
Deakin Master of Professional Accounting	March, July, November

That third intake can matter.

A student who misses a mid-year application at one university may still have a later postgraduate option elsewhere. On the other hand, assuming every programme has three intakes can create a costly delay.

Always check the course page, not just the university's general academic calendar.

Leave enough time for the offer, financial preparation, Confirmation of Enrolment and Student visa process.

Student Visa for Accounting Courses in Australia

Most international students studying an eligible accounting programme on campus will use the Student visa subclass 500.

Depending on your circumstances, you may need:

• a Confirmation of Enrolment
• valid passport
• Overseas Student Health Cover
• evidence of financial capacity
• Genuine Student responses
• academic documents
• English-language evidence where required
• health or character information where requested

Most Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.

Part-time employment can help with everyday expenses. It should not be the plan that makes an otherwise unaffordable accounting degree look affordable.

That distinction matters.

Accounting Jobs and Career Opportunities in Australia

An accounting degree can lead towards several career directions.

Career	Typical work
Graduate accountant	Financial records, reconciliations and reporting
Auditor	Assurance, financial controls and compliance
Tax accountant or consultant	Tax preparation, compliance and advice
Management accountant	Costing, budgeting and internal planning
Financial analyst	Forecasting, analysis and decision support
Accounts officer	Payables, receivables and financial administration
Compliance professional	Governance and regulatory controls
Business adviser	Financial and operational business support

Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time earnings of about AUD 2,003 per week before tax for Accountants.

You can check the official labour-market profile for Accountants for the underlying occupation data.

One caution matters here.

That figure is an occupation-wide median. It is not a guaranteed graduate starting salary.

A fresh graduate's pay can differ considerably depending on experience, city, employer, visa status and role.

Skills make a difference too. Learn the accounting theory, but do not stop there. Excel, accounting software, Power BI, communication and workplace experience can separate two graduates who technically hold similar degrees.

Post-Study Work and PR Planning

Many international students ask whether accounting is a PR course in Australia.

There is no accounting degree that guarantees permanent residency.

Eligible graduates may be able to use the Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485 after completing eligible study, subject to the rules applying at that time.

Permanent residency can depend on:

• occupation eligibility
• skills assessment
• English score
• age
• points
• employment history
• state or territory nomination
• available visa pathways
• future policy changes

Accounting can form part of skilled migration planning, but the order matters.

Choose a qualification that works academically and professionally first. Then assess migration options under the rules that apply when you become eligible.

For deeper planning, compare possible PR routes after Australian study with course areas students often consider for skilled migration.

How to Choose the Right Accounting Course

Before paying a tuition deposit, ask these questions:

Question	What a good answer looks like
Is the course CRICOS-registered?	The exact programme has a valid registration
Does it fit my previous study?	The academic progression makes sense
Does it support CPA or CA requirements?	Accreditation or required subject coverage is clear
Can I afford the full programme?	Tuition and living costs remain manageable
Is my 2027 intake available?	The exact course accepts students in your intended period
Does the city fit my budget?	Housing and transport remain realistic
Does the course build practical skills?	Applied projects, technology or work experience are included

Location deserves more attention than it usually gets.

A university that saves you AUD 3,000 in annual tuition may not actually be cheaper if accommodation costs thousands more each year.

Compare Australian cities from a student-budget perspective alongside course fees.

Then shortlist three to five realistic options rather than applying to every university you recognise.

If the differences are still difficult to judge, you can talk through your shortlist with an adviser before submitting applications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Studying Accounting in Australia

Is accounting good to study in Australia?

Yes. Accounting can be a strong choice for international students interested in financial reporting, audit, taxation, management accounting, finance operations and advisory work. Choose a programme with suitable subjects, professional recognition and practical career support.

How much does it cost to study accounting in Australia?

University-level accounting tuition can broadly range from around AUD 25,000 to AUD 62,000+ per year. Actual fees depend on the university, qualification and study year. Living costs, OSHC and visa expenses come on top of tuition.

Which university is best for accounting in Australia?

There is no single best university for every accounting student. Universities such as UNSW, Monash, Macquarie, RMIT, Deakin, Melbourne, Sydney, UQ, UWA and UTS are commonly considered. Compare the exact programme, accreditation, fees, intake and location rather than rankings alone.

Can international students study CPA in Australia?

International students can work towards CPA Australia membership, but CPA Australia is not simply a university accounting degree. Students generally need an eligible tertiary qualification and must meet CPA Australia's academic requirements before progressing through the professional pathway.

How long does an accounting degree take in Australia?

A Bachelor of Accounting normally takes around three years full-time. A Master of Professional Accounting commonly takes about 1.5 to 2 years, although prior study and recognised credit can change the duration.

What subjects are needed to study accounting in Australia?

University accounting programmes commonly include financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, auditing, business law, economics, finance and accounting information systems. Admission prerequisites differ by university.

What are the entry requirements for accounting in Australia?

Bachelor applicants usually need a recognised Year 12 equivalent qualification and English-language evidence. Master's applicants generally need a recognised Bachelor degree plus the required academic and English results.

Can I study accounting in Australia without IELTS?

Possibly. Some universities accept approved alternatives such as PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT, while some applicants may meet English requirements through other recognised evidence. Check both university and visa requirements.

What are the main 2027 accounting intakes in Australia?

February or March and July are the most common. Some universities offer additional intakes. Deakin's Master of Professional Accounting, for example, lists March, July and November entry for 2027.

Is accounting good for PR in Australia?

Accounting can connect with skilled migration pathways, but studying accounting does not guarantee Australian permanent residency. Future eligibility depends on the occupation, skills assessment, English, points, age, work history, nomination and migration policy at the time.

Final Advice

If you plan to study accounting in Australia in 2027, start with the programme rather than the university logo.

Check the subjects. Check CRICOS registration. Check CPA Australia or CA ANZ recognition if professional accounting matters to you.

Then look at the numbers.

Tuition, scholarship possibilities, course duration, living expenses and the city can completely change which offer represents better value.

A prestigious university with the wrong course structure or an unrealistic total cost is not automatically the best decision.

Choose an accounting programme that fits your background, makes financial sense and leaves you with useful professional options after graduation. That is a much stronger starting point than choosing a course because somebody simply called it "the best".