Last Updated Dec 21,2023
Master of Professional Accounting in Australia: Top Universities, Admission Process & Eligibility Criteria
What is Master of Professional Accounting?
Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) is a two-year post graduate program in the field of accounting with an entry level of Master’s degree. This program has been designed for students who intend to work in the financial or accounting departments of organizations and is aimed at providing them with a higher level of knowledge and skills needed to advance in their careers.
Studying Master of Professional Accounting in Australia provides students a wonderful chance to build up successful careers; initially offering salaries of 60000 AUD to 120000 AUD (in INR 360000 to 6600000/-). A number of premier universities in Australia admit candidates for the MPA program during primary intakes.
Studying for MPA in Australia is beneficial because it is among the skilled occupations list that is recognized by the Home Affairs department in Australian government. This increases the chance of finding a job in Australia and opens up an opportunity for Garner to stay and work in Australia after the program.
Top Reasons to Study Master of Professional Accounting in Australia
- The need for accounting professionals in Australia has gone up a lot. There is a 34% increase in job openings compared to last year.
- Australia requires 30,000 professionals in accounting, auditing, and finance within the next three years to fulfill the increasing demand.
- Seven Australian universities that provide Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) programs are globally ranked among the top 100 universities, making Australia an excellent choice for studying the program.
- In addition to scholarships offered by Australian universities, the Australian Government has allocated over 300 million AUD for international students.
- The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) in Australia has global accreditation and is acknowledged and accepted worldwide.
- Upon finishing the Master of Professional Accounting (MPA), you will be granted a work permit lasting 2-3 years, and the MPA is among the prominent courses offering favorable opportunities for Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia.
Overview: MPA in Australia
The MPA course in Australia lasts for 1.5 to 2 years. It is designed for people who are currently employed in finance or accounting and need advanced skills and knowledge to succeed. Financial management, auditing, and taxation, as well as other specialized areas of accounting, are usually the main focus of this course.
Most universities of good repute within Australia run these programs at significant times of their academic calendar, i.e., February intake, also known as first semester intake, July intake, otherwise referred to as second semester intake, and November intake (summer school).
Upon completion, individuals may consider joining accounting firms, corporations, government departments, or any other organization with a strong financial base since the skills gained would be highly valuable in such institutions.
Major Subjects to Study Under MPA in Australia
The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) classes help students to understand different sections such as management, finance and auditing. The primary subjects of MPA are meant to build a strong base for learners in those important areas.
- Accounting and Finance
- Current Developments in Accounting Thought
- Accounting Information Systems
- Decision Support Tools
- Accounting System and Processes
- Auditing
- Economics for Business
- Business and Corporations Law
- Taxation Law
- Management Accounting for Costs and Control
Top Universities in Australia for Masters in Professional Accounting
To have a good academic and professional journey in Australia when you are doing your Masters in Professional Accounting, it is necessary to choose the best university. If you wish to study MPA in Australia, look for the renowned colleges that are known for high quality programs, experienced faculty and strong industry links. Exploring these options can help you to decide for a successful MPA journey and future career in accounting.
| Sr. No | Name of University | QS World Ranking for MPA | Program Offered |
| 1 | University of Sydney | 24 | Master of Professional Accounting and Business Performance |
| 2 | University of New South Wales | 20 | Master of Professional Accounting |
| 3 | Monash University | 34 | Master of Professional Accounting |
| 4 | Australian National University | 41 | Master of Professional Accounting |
| 5 | University of Queensland | 53 | Master of Commerce (Professional Accounting) |
| 6 | University of Adelaide | 101-150 | Master of Professional Accounting |
| 7 | University of Western Australia | 101-150 | Master of Professional Accounting |
| 8 | University of New Castle | 201-250 | Master of Professional Accounting |
| 9 | University of Technology Sydney | =76 | Master of Professional Accounting |
| 10 | Deakin University | 101-150 | Master of Professional Accounting |
Master of Professional Accounting in Australia: Admission Process
Eligibility Criteria for Master of Professional Accounting in Australia
To seek admission to the Master of Science program in Professional Accounting at an Australian university, you need to fulfill a specific set of criteria. It’s important to know that these requirements may differ among universities. Therefore, it is advisable to verify the specific prerequisites of the university to which you are applying.
- A bachelor’s degree in a similar subject is needed. However, certain universities may consider applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a different discipline. In such cases, additional criteria must be met by students with a non-relevant bachelor’s degree.
- Language proficiency test results at least 6.5 in the IELTS or TOEFL to meet minimum scores set by the applied university.
- Regarding academic qualifications, the majority of universities require students to achieve a minimum of 60% in their undergraduate degree.
- Top universities also require a GMAT score for admission in MPA program.
Documents Required for MPA in Australia
Apart from meeting the eligibility criteria, you must also provide the following documents as a part of your application process for admission in the MPA program. Here is a list of documents to prepare for admission in university and Australia Student visa:
- Marksheets, transcripts, certificates of previous studies
- LOR (Letter of recommendation) from professors, previous employers
- Language proficiency test results IELTS/ TOFEL
- Statement of purpose
- GMAT test report
Cost of Studying Master of Professional Accounting in Australia
Studying for an MPA in Australia costs between AUD 23,000 to AUD 55,000 a year. To pursue MP in Australia economically, international students are advised to do their research thoroughly and carefully select the university for their program. Here is a table describing the approximate tuition fees in the top-most universities in Australia.
| MPA Universities in Australia | Approximate Tuition fees (per year) | Duration of the Program |
| Australian National University | $49,000 | 1.5 Years |
| University of Sydney | $47,000 | 2 Years |
| Monash University | $45,800 | 2 Years |
| University of Queensland | $44,200 | 2 Years |
| University of Adelaide | $44,000 | 1.5 Years |
For students looking for affordable alternatives, there are other universities in Australia offering MPA at reasonable tuition fees. Here is the list of affordable universities offering master of professional accounting in Australia:
1). Australian Catholic University
2). University of Southern Queensland
3). University of Canberra
4). Charles Stuart University
5). Torrens University
All the above-listed universities offer MPA course in Australia at affordable cost, making it feasible for foreign students willing to study in Australia.
Scholarships Options to Study MPA in Australia
When students contemplate the costs of pursuing higher education abroad, Australia is often their first consideration. The Australian government actively promotes the enrollment of international students in Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) courses at its universities. To facilitate this, a range of scholarship opportunities is provided to students arriving from overseas, aiming to make a high-quality education reasonable to them. Some of the scholarships can waive 50-100% of tuition fees for eligible applicants. Here is the list of scholarships offering master of professional accounting in Australia for international students.
- Australian Merit-based Scholarships for Nepalese Students in Australia
- Destination Australia Scholarship
- Global Citizens Scholarship
- Dean’s International Scholarship
- Deakin Scholarship for International Students
- International Student Merit Stipend
- International Student Support Scholarships in Australia
- University of Canberra International Merit Scholarships in Australia
- VU International Excellence Scholarship
- UNSW International Scholarships
- International Tuition Fee Scholarship
- Melbourne Graduate Scholarships
Career Prospects After Studying MPA in Australia
An MPA in Australia is a key that opens many doors for those who would like to work in the ever-changing worlds of accounting and finance. The country’s economy is growing really well, and there’s a big need for people who have this degree. That means if you have it, lots of companies will want to hire you. Australia’s friendly immigration laws mean that attaining one of these qualifications could also lead to lifelong residency along with career opportunities not easily found elsewhere. Mentioned below are some of the in-demand occupations for students with a degree in MPA in Australia.
- Financial Accountant
- Accounts Officer
- Private Tax Director
- Public Accountant
- Management Consultant
- Accounting professors and lecturers
- Financial professionals
- Auditor
- Budget analyst
- Commercial Finance Analyst
- Senior Tax Accountant
The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) in Australia helps students learn important skills for accounting and finance jobs. It teaches technical, analytical, and practical skills so students can solve problems and make good decisions in these areas. This program enhances business acumen, enabling graduates to excel as accountants or financial professionals. A few years of experience in this role can help you earn over AUD 80,000 and will open doors for permanent residency through a 2-3-year work permit.
Need assistance in finding the right university to pursue MPA in Australia? Get in touch with the expert team of study abroad consultants at Aspire Square.
FAQs
An accounting program in Australia focuses on accounting concepts needed to start work as a Financial Accountant, in Accounting Information Systems, and Taxation. In addition, it equips learners with different management techniques that can be used in the field of accounting throughout their working lives.
To pursue a Master of in Professional Accounting in Australia, you need a bachelor’s degree in related subjects with an average score of approximately 60-65% WAM. Additionally, international students must provide language proficiency results, such as IELTS with a score of 6.5 or the minimum score in TOEFL as set by the university.
Yes! The majority of Australian universities prioritize candidates with an undergraduate degree in accounting, commerce, or a closely related field for admission to the MPA program.
A Master’s in Professional Accounting has the potential to yield an average annual salary ranging from 65,000 AUD (36 Lakhs) to 1,20,000 AUD (66 Lakhs).
By being a graduate of master of professional accounting in Australia, one can earn in the range of 65,000 AUD to 120,000 AUD annually!











