Master of Professional Accounting in Australia: A Route for Graduates of Any Field

TL;DR: A Master of Professional Accounting in Australia is a conversion degree built for graduates who studied something other than accounting. Most programmes take 1.5 to 2 years full time, and accredited ones meet the academic entry requirements for professional bodies such as CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). Check accreditation, length and intakes before you compare fees.

If you hold a degree in business, engineering, science or the arts and want to move into accounting, you do not need to start a second bachelor's degree. Australian universities and colleges run professional accounting master's designed for exactly that switch. The catch is that programmes with the same name vary widely in length, accreditation, delivery and price.

This guide explains what the degree is, compares three real programmes, and shows what to check if you are planning a February or August start from Sri Lanka or anywhere else.

Not sure whether your degree and English scores fit an Australian accounting master's? Check your eligibility with Prosper.

What a Master of Professional Accounting in Australia is

A Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) teaches the core of an accounting degree, including financial and management accounting, auditing, taxation, corporate law and finance, at postgraduate level. It is aimed at graduates from other fields. The University of Canberra, for example, describes its programme as being for students who already hold an undergraduate degree in another field, and for internationally educated accountants who need to meet Australian entry requirements.

The professional value comes from accreditation. An accredited MPA meets the academic entry requirements for the CPA Program or the CA Program, which are the next steps towards a professional accounting designation. Some programmes also carry exemptions from other bodies: completing listed courses in Griffith University's MPA gives exemptions from the ACCA Foundation Level exams F1 to F9.

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Three Australian programmes compared

Delivery rules matter for student visa holders. Torrens, for example, requires international students to study full time, take at least one face-to-face subject per study period, and take no more than one third of their subjects online.

How to choose the right programme

1. Confirm accreditation first. Check that the exact course meets the academic entry requirements for CPA Australia or CA ANZ, or both. A lower-cost course that is not accredited can cost more in extra study later.
2. Compare length against your budget. A 1.5-year programme reduces tuition and living costs compared with a 2-year one, but check whether the shorter version still meets accreditation requirements.
3. Check credit for prior study. If your first degree included accounting subjects, ask about credit. It can shorten the course.
4. Match the intake to your visa timeline. February intakes need your offer, Confirmation of Enrolment and visa lodged months ahead. Our guide to the Australia February intake explains why the university deadline is not your real deadline.
5. Check the English score by band, not just overall. Our guide to Australia student visa English requirements covers the visa side.

What the degree leads to

Graduates typically move into roles in auditing, taxation, financial accounting, management accounting and treasury, the career areas Griffith lists for its MPA. The accredited degree is the academic step. The professional designation comes after, through the CPA or CA Program and relevant work experience. While studying, international students can work within student visa limits, covered in our guide to Australia student visa work hours.

FAQ

Can I do a Master of Professional Accounting without an accounting degree?

Yes. These programmes are designed for graduates from other fields. Torrens University Australia asks for a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and the University of Canberra aims its programme at graduates of another discipline.

How long is a Master of Professional Accounting in Australia?

Usually 1.5 to 2 years full time. Torrens offers 1.5 years with a 1-year accelerated option, while Canberra and Griffith run 2-year programmes.

Does a Master of Professional Accounting lead to CPA?

An accredited programme meets the academic entry requirements for the CPA Program. You then complete the CPA Program and the required experience to become a CPA.

What IELTS score do I need?

Requirements vary. Torrens University Australia asks for Academic IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or an equivalent test.

When are the intakes if I apply from Sri Lanka?

The intakes are the same for every applicant. Canberra starts on 15 February 2027 and 9 August 2027, and Torrens on 2 November 2026 and 15 February 2027.

PS: The right accounting master's is accredited, fits your budget and starts at a time your visa can meet. If you want help shortlisting Australian programmes that match your degree, check your eligibility with Prosper.

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