Accounting courses
9 accounting qualifications in Australia, from certificates to the degree, compared side by side: cost, duration, providers and where each one leads.
- Qualifications
- 9
on this page
- Providers
- 244
across all qualifications
- Median pay
- $104,200–$109,400
across roles in this field
- Employment growth*
- +15%
1 of 3 roles in shortage
Which of these is right for you?
We don't recommend one provider over another, but four things usually decide which qualification is the right one to start with.
- How much time can you give it?
- A certificate usually runs months, not years, and gets you working sooner. A degree is a multi-year commitment, but it's the only route into a registered profession like pharmacist.
- Do you want to study online, on campus, or both?
- Check each qualification's study modes below. Some are online only, some require placements or on-campus units even in a mostly online course.
- What's your entry point?
- If you're starting from school leaver or career change with no background in the field, the lowest rung on the ladder is usually the realistic start, not the top qualification.
- Which role are you aiming for?
- Some roles need one specific qualification. Others accept several. The roles section below says which qualification on this page actually gets you there.
The accounting qualifications
9 qualifications, from certificates through to a degree. Each links through to cost, duration and the providers that teach it.
Certificates and diplomas
Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
115 providersThis qualification prepares you to keep the books for a business, either as an employee in an accounts team or as a contract bookkeeper working for several clients.
Certificate IVView qualification →Diploma of Accounting
78 providersThe Diploma of Accounting builds on bookkeeping study and moves you into accounting work proper: preparing financial reports for companies, setting and managing budgets, and producing management accounting information that helps a business make decisions.
DiplomaView qualification →
Degrees
Bachelor of Accounting
22 providersBachelor degree3 yearsExternal AuditorFinancial AccountantFinancial AnalystView qualification →Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
13 providersBachelor degree3 yearsExternal AuditorFinancial AccountantFinancial AnalystView qualification →Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
5 providersBachelor degree3 yearsExternal AuditorFinancial AccountantFinancial AnalystView qualification →Bachelor of Professional Accounting
4 providersBachelor degree3 yearsExternal AuditorFinancial AccountantFinancial AnalystView qualification →Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting
3 providersGraduate certificate0.5 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Accounting and Finance
2 providersBachelor degree3 yearsExternal AuditorFinancial AccountantFinancial AnalystView qualification →Diploma of Business (Accounting)
2 providersDiploma1 yearView qualification →
What accounting study leads to
The 3 roles where a accounting qualification is a recognised route in, which qualification on this page it is, and what else you need.
External Auditor
Enter through the Bachelor of Accounting or the Bachelor of Business (Accounting) or the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) or the Bachelor of Professional Accounting or the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance. Complete the accounting major and relevant professional subjects. Professional designations, statutory audit sign-off and tax-agent registration have further requirements; this route does not confer them.
Median salary for the role
$109,400
A year, before tax. Median for everyone in the occupation, not a graduate starting salary. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO Occupation data, February 2026.
Financial Accountant
Enter through the Bachelor of Accounting or the Bachelor of Business (Accounting) or the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) or the Bachelor of Professional Accounting or the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance. Complete the accounting major and relevant professional subjects. Professional designations, statutory audit sign-off and tax-agent registration have further requirements; this route does not confer them.
Median salary for the role
$104,200
A year, before tax. Median for everyone in the occupation, not a graduate starting salary. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO Occupation data, February 2026.
Financial Analyst
Enter through the Bachelor of Accounting or the Bachelor of Business (Accounting) or the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) or the Bachelor of Professional Accounting or the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance. Complete the accounting major and relevant professional subjects. Professional designations, statutory audit sign-off and tax-agent registration have further requirements; this route does not confer them.
Median salary for the role
$109,200
A year, before tax. Median for everyone in the occupation, not a graduate starting salary. Indicative estimate, not yet verified against official Jobs and Skills Australia / ABS data, Estimate.