Australia’s demand for qualified accountants continues to grow this year. Recent data from Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 Occupation Shortage List (OSL) shows that shortages are not only persistent, but becoming more specialised.

Despite a cooling economy, businesses across Australia are still struggling to fill key accounting and finance roles, prompting strong calls from industry bodies to maintain (and in some areas, expand) skilled migration pathways.

If you’re an accounting professional exploring migration, or an employer looking to fill critical roles, here’s what the latest 2025 insights mean for you.

What the Latest 2025 Reports Are Saying

Accounting roles remain in shortage — nationally and regionally

The 2025 OSL report released by Jobs & Skills Australia shows improvement across the broader labour market — but accounting remains a clear pressure point. According to the report, fewer occupations are in shortage overall, but specialist accounting roles remain hard to fill, with employers reporting recruitment delays and limited talent availability.

A key body representing the profession, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), has been vocal in its 2025 submissions:

• Taxation Accountants, Management Accountants, and Finance Managers are experiencing national shortages.
• Accountant (General), External Auditors, and Internal Auditors face state-level shortages, particularly in regional areas.
• Roles with an estimated fill rate below 67% are flagged as “high-risk” occupations — and several accounting positions fall well under this threshold.

This should immediately signal to skilled migrants and employers. The gap between supply and demand is not closing — and businesses continue to rely on migration to fill these roles.

Hard Numbers: 2025 Fill Rates Show Significant Talent Gaps

A March 2025 analysis by Accounting Times based on CA ANZ’s member survey highlights the extent of the shortages:

• Financial Investment Advisers: 29% fill rate
• Finance Managers: 37% fill rate
• Management Accountants: 45% fill rate
• Taxation Accountants: 59% fill rate

In practical terms, this means:

• A large portion of advertised positions remain unfilled, often for months.
• Employers are widening search efforts and becoming more open to sponsorship.
• Skilled migrants who match these occupations are entering the market with a significant advantage.

Regional areas are especially impacted. If you’re open to working outside major cities, demand is even stronger — and visa pathways can be more favorable.

Why Is Australia Facing an Accountant Shortage in 2025?

A shrinking domestic talent pipeline

CA ANZ reports that accounting degree enrolments have been declining since 2018, leaving fewer graduates to replace an ageing workforce. This downward trend continues in 2025.

Rising business complexity

With increased regulations, digital transformation, and cybersecurity obligations, demand for specialists in tax, audit, and financial compliance continues to climb.

Strong competition for talent

Accounting firms — especially in audit and tax — are competing for the same limited pool of professionals. Many are offering:

• Higher salaries
• Flexible work arrangements
• Overseas recruitment and sponsorship
• Career development incentives

Despite this, shortages persist.

Policy shifts affecting the pipeline

Changes proposed in the 2025 Federal Budget — including migration caps and stricter student visa settings — risk reducing the number of international graduates who traditionally enter accounting roles.

This means employers are becoming more reliant on experienced overseas professionals who can fill critical gaps.

Skilled Migration Outlook for Accountants in 2025

Accounting occupations remain recommended for the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

In its 2025 submission to Jobs & Skills Australia, CA ANZ recommended that the following occupations remain on Australia’s skilled migration lists:

• General Accountant
• Taxation Accountant
• Management Accountant
• External Auditor
• Internal Auditor
• Finance Manager

They even proposed adding Forensic Accountant as an emerging priority occupation, reflecting growing demand in risk and compliance sectors.

For skilled migrants, this is an encouraging signal:

your skills are still considered critical to Australia’s economy.

Visa pathways likely to remain favourable for accounting roles

Because these occupations are widely recognised as “hard to fill,” accountants generally have strong prospects in:

• Skilled Independent pathways (points-tested)
• State nomination programs
• Employer-sponsored visas
• Regional visas such as the 491 and 494

While the migration landscape continues to shift in 2025, accounting roles consistently remain high-value, high-priority candidates for both government and employers.

What This Means If You’re an Accountant Considering Migration

Here’s the good news:

2025 is still an excellent time for accountants to explore migration to Australia.

With shortages in key roles and low fill rates across the country, experienced accountants — especially those with tax, audit, financial reporting, and management accounting backgrounds — remain highly competitive.

You’re likely to be in demand if you have experience in:

• Tax compliance and advisory
• External or internal audit
• Financial management
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Assurance and regulatory reporting
• Business analysis and planning

Strong English skills, professional body accreditation, and relevant software experience (e.g., Xero, MYOB, SAP) further boost your prospects.

What Employers Need to Know

If you’re an employer struggling to fill accounting roles, you are not alone.

Surveys from CA ANZ and the Hays 2025 Skills Report show that more than 80% of accounting and finance teams are facing staffing shortages.

This has two implications:

Skilled migration remains a strategic solution.

Many firms are now actively sponsoring overseas talent to stay competitive.

Acting early is crucial.

With migration policy tightening in some areas, businesses that prepare early — by identifying roles, planning sponsorship pathways, and understanding requirements — secure better outcomes.

2025 Is Still a Strong Year for Accounting Professionals

Despite improvements in other sectors, the accounting shortage remains one of Australia’s most persistent skill gaps.

The latest 2025 data shows:

• Shortages remain across key accounting specialties
• Employers continue to struggle with recruitment
• Migration continues to play a critical role in workforce planning
• Experienced accountants are in a strong position to take advantage of opportunities

At JS Migration, we’re here to help you navigate this landscape with clear, practical advice — whether you’re an accountant planning your move, or an employer searching for the right talent.

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POSTED: 21 Nov, 2025

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