How to become an External Auditor

Designs and operates information and reporting systems, procedures and controls to meet external financial reporting requirements.

Main tasks

• Collects, analyses and interprets information on the financial standing, cost structures and trading effectiveness of organisations
• Verifies that an organisation's internal accounting procedures and financial operations run efficiently and meet legal requirements
• Conducts audits and investigations, and prepares financial statements and reports for management, shareholders and governing statutory bodies

Ways in

• University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Graduate Certificate in Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing (FNS80020); Graduate Diploma of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing (FNS80120); Advanced Diploma of Accounting (FNS60222); Diploma of Accounting (FNS50222); Diploma of Payroll Services (FNS50422)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $109,408 a year
• About 31,500 people work in this job group now, and about 36,600 are projected by 2035. (+15.9%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Internal Auditor
• Accountant (General)
• Corporate Treasurer
• Forensic Accountant
• Management Accountant
• Taxation Accountant

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Questions people ask

How do I become an External Auditor?

Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Graduate Certificate in Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing; Graduate Diploma of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing.

How much does an External Auditor earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $109,408 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an External Auditor a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 16% by 2035, from about 31,500 to about 36,600 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an External Auditor?

Usually. 77% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an External Auditor?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

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