External Auditor – ANZSCO 221213

External Auditor (ANZSCO 221213) is a skill level 1 occupation assessed by Accounting bodies (CPA Australia, CA ANZ or IPA) for Australian skilled migration. It is on the MLTSSL, CSOL lists and can be used for subclass 189, subclass 190, subclass 491, subclass 491F, subclass 485, subclass 482, subclass 186, subclass 494, subclass 407. 5 of 8 states and territories currently nominate it.

Open External Auditor in the interactive ANZSCO search · Book a free migration assessment

Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 221213
Skill level: 1 – Bachelor degree or higher, or at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Assessing authority: CAANZ CPAA IPA
Occupation lists: MLTSSL, CSOL
English test for skills assessment: Required
ANZSCO unit group: 2212 Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers

External Auditor job description and duties

Designs and operates information and reporting systems, procedures and controls to meet external financial reporting requirements. Registration or licensing may be required.

Tasks include

Arranging, giving notice of and attending meetings of directors and shareholders
Advising organisations' governing boards on matters concerning compliance with stock exchange listing rules, relevant legislation and corporation practice
Supervising organisations' share capital by preparing documents and share issues, and handling share transfers
Controlling treasury and treasury systems and establishing and reviewing risk management objectives and treasury policies
Identifying, managing and reporting on financial risks
Assisting with equity management, debt management, securities and taxation planning issues
Collecting, analysing and interpreting information on the financial standing, cost structures and trading effectiveness of organisations
Devising, re-organising and establishing budgetary cost control and other accounting systems such as computer-based systems
Conducting audits and investigations and preparing financial statements and reports for management, shareholders, and governing and statutory bodies
Evaluating the cost effectiveness and risks of operational processes, activities, policies and systems
Reporting to management on the existence and effectiveness of the system of internal controls
Establishing audit objectives, and designing and implementing audit methodologies, processes and audit report criteria

Education and skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. In the case of Corporate Treasurers and Company Secretaries, at least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). Registration or licensing may be required.

What the assessing authority expects: Bachelor-level degree covering the core accounting knowledge areas, plus an English test.

Visa options for External Auditor

Eligible means the occupation is on a list the visa accepts. You still need to meet every other requirement.

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: Eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL)
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work: Eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream: Eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry: Eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 407 Training visa: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)

State and territory nomination for External Auditor

5 of 8 states and territories currently list this occupation: Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Onshore means already living in that state; offshore means living outside Australia.

New South Wales: 190 No, 491 Closed 26–27, onshore No, offshore No. Unit group 2212 is not on the NSW Skills List.
Victoria: 190 Yes, 491 Not yet open, onshore VIC residents, offshore Yes. All 190-eligible occupations (no state list).
Queensland: 190 No, 491 No, onshore No, offshore No. Not on the Queensland onshore or offshore list.
South Australia: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore SA residents, offshore No. SA Graduates: 190 & 491; Skilled Employment in SA: 190 & 491; Outer Regional Skilled Employment: 190 & 491.
Western Australia: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore WA graduates, offshore No. Graduate stream (WA study): 190 & 491.
Tasmania: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore TAS residents, offshore No. Living in Tasmania: Skilled Employment, Graduate or Established Resident pathways; Overseas 491 (OSOP) closed for 2026–27.
Australian Capital Territory: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore Canberra residents, offshore Yes. ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
Northern Territory: 190 Closed, 491 By exception, onshore NT grads/residents only, offshore No. 491 onshore only, by exception for NT Graduate or Resident applicants with urgent visa or age deadlines.

Based on each state's official 2026–27 lists and program pages. Being listed does not guarantee an invitation.

Skills assessment for External Auditor

You can choose any of the three accounting bodies. Each checks that your degree is comparable to an Australian bachelor degree and covers the required accounting knowledge areas, and asks for an English test result.

The process

Choose a body: CPA Australia, CA ANZ or IPA.
Check your degree: Bachelor level or higher, covering the core accounting knowledge areas.
English test: Provide a test result that meets the body's current minimum.
Apply and pay: Upload qualifications and transcripts.
Outcome: Optionally add a skilled employment assessment for points.

What you need for this occupation

A degree comparable to an Australian bachelor degree or higher
Coverage of the required accounting knowledge areas (for example financial accounting, auditing, taxation, finance and law)
An English test meeting the body's current minimum
Optional skilled employment assessment for points

Documents checklist

Passport
Degree certificate and full transcripts with subject descriptions
English test results
Employment evidence (if requesting an employment assessment)

Key facts

Choice of assessor: Any one of CPA Australia, CA ANZ, IPA
Focus: Accounting knowledge areas covered by your degree
Validity for visas: Home Affairs generally accepts an assessment for 3 years unless the letter says otherwise

English language requirement

For the CAANZ skills assessment

English test required. All three accounting bodies require an English test for the skills assessment. Only tests taken at a secure test centre are accepted (no online or at-home tests); results are valid for 3 years.

IELTS Academic (all three bodies): Listening 7.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.0
PTE Academic – CPA Australia, IPA: Listening 65, Reading 65, Writing 65, Speaking 65
PTE Academic – CA ANZ (tests from 7 Aug 2025): Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 69, Speaking 76

CPA Australia: holders of UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland passports are exempt.
IPA: no exemption for native English speakers.
TOEFL iBT and Cambridge C1 Advanced are also accepted; minimum scores differ by body.

For the visa (189, 190 and 491)

Separately, the visa needs at least Competent English. Minimum scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:

IELTS (Academic or General): Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0
PTE Academic: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54
TOEFL iBT: Listening 16, Reading 16, Writing 19, Speaking 19
OET: Listening 290, Reading 310, Writing 290, Speaking 330

Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points in the points test.

Related occupations in unit group 2212

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for External Auditor?

The ANZSCO code for External Auditor is 221213. It is a skill level 1 occupation.

Who assesses External Auditor for Australian migration?

External Auditor is assessed by Accounting bodies (CPA Australia, CA ANZ or IPA). You need a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas.

Which Australian visas can a External Auditor apply for?

External Auditor is on the MLTSSL, CSOL lists, so it can be used for: 189 Skilled Independent; 190 Skilled Nominated; 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated; 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored; 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work; 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream; 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry; 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored; 407 Training visa. You must still meet every other visa requirement.

Which states nominate External Auditor?

5 of 8 states and territories currently list External Auditor: Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Each state has extra criteria such as residence, employment and points.

Do I need an English test for the External Auditor skills assessment?

Yes. All three accounting bodies require an English test for the skills assessment. Only tests taken at a secure test centre are accepted (no online or at-home tests); results are valid for 3 years.

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0), Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists, CAANZ CPAA IPA and state and territory nomination pages. Checked November 2026. General information only, not migration advice. Search all ANZSCO occupations.