Candidates enrolling in CPA Program for the first time will be eligible for a maximum of two exemptions from elective segments of the program if they hold a relevant undergraduate degree and an approved specialist masters degree. To be eligible for these exemptions applicants must:
- meet the membership requirements, including holding a degree assessed as comparable to an Australian bachelor degree
- have completed the core curriculum required to be eligible for membership of CPA Australia, within an undergraduate and / or postgraduate degree
- at the time of enrolment in CPA Program, have also completed an approved specialist Australian masters degree such as tax, commerce, accounting or finance
- have completed a specialist masters degree with a minimum of eight subjects and with at least four subjects completed in a specialised area
- have completed a specialist masters degree that was commenced no more than eight years prior to the application to join CPA Program
- have completed the specialist masters degree not more than five years before application to commence CPA Program
- enrol in the six-segment CPA Program
- apply for the exemptions at the time of enrolment in CPA Program
Masters in professional accounting, business administration and other postgraduate courses used to gain admission to CPA Australia are not specialist masters degrees and are not eligible for exemptions. Masters degrees which include core curriculum subjects used to gain membership to CPA Australia are also ineligible.
A specialist masters degree cannot contain exemptions from degrees used for entry to CPA Australia.
It is the applicant's responsibility to apply for exemptions to CPA Program.
A fee of $150.00 will apply for the assessment of specialist masters degrees. Applications will only be considered from candidates who are eligible for Associate membership of CPA Australia.
Further information
