How to become an Accountant

Official title: Accountant (General)

Provides services relating to compliance-based financial, non-financial and sustainability-related reporting, auditing, insolvency and accounting information systems, and advises on association record-keeping requirements.

Main tasks

• Provides advice regarding business plans, structures and accounting systems
• Examines the income and expenditure of individuals and organisations
• Conducts financial investigations, prepares reports, and manages insolvency
• Assists in the formulation of budgetary and accounting policies

Ways in

• University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Accounting (FNS60222); Advanced Diploma of Business (BSB60120); Diploma of Accounting (FNS50222); Diploma of Business (BSB50120); Diploma of Credit Management (FNS51522); Graduate Certificate in Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing (FNS80020); Graduate Diploma of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing (FNS80120)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required for certain services such as auditing.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $104,156 a year
• About 210,300 people work in this job group now, and about 245,300 are projected by 2035. (+16.6%)
• Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

Related jobs

• Corporate Treasurer
• Forensic Accountant
• Management Accountant
• Taxation Accountant

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become an Accountant?

Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Advanced Diploma of Accounting; Advanced Diploma of Business.

How much does an Accountant earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $104,156 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Accountant a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 17% by 2035, from about 210,300 to about 245,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Accountant?

Usually. 86% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Accountant?

Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04