Pathway to membership
The following demonstrates the pathway for members of the HKICPA who wish to apply for membership of CPA Australia.
Step 1: determine eligibility
2010 MRA
To become a member of CPA Australia under the 2010 MRA, members of the HKICPA must:
- be registered as a student of the HKICPA’s Qualification Programme in Hong Kong on or after 1 September 2010
- hold an accredited or recognised university degree
- pass the HKICPA's Qualification Programme in Hong Kong
- meet the HKICPA's practical experience requirements as recognised by CPA Australia
- hold the CPA or FCPA status of HKICPA and be a member in good standing
- when an applicant has taken up permanent residency in Australia (as opposed to working or residing temporarily in Australia) pass university examinations offered on behalf of CPA Australia or the HKICPA in the appropriate subject or subjects of Australian company, taxation or other laws as prescribed by the by-laws from time to time of CPA Australia
2005 MRA transitional arrangements
To become a member of CPA Australia under the transitional arrangements of the 2005 MRA, members of the HKICPA must:
- be registered as a student of the HKICPA’s Qualification Programme between 1 July 2005 and 31 August 2010
- hold an accredited or recognised university degree
- pass the HKICPA's Qualification Programme by 30 June 2012
- meet the HKICPA's practical experience requirements as recognised by CPA Australia
- hold the CPA or FCPA status of HKICPA and be a member in good standing
- make an application of membership to CPA Australia by 30 June 2015
- when an applicant has taken up permanent residency in Australia (as opposed to working or residing temporarily in Australia) pass university examinations offered on behalf of CPA Australia or the HKICPA in the appropriate subject or subjects of Australian company, taxation or other laws as prescribed by the by-laws from time to time of CPA Australia
HKICPA members who were registered as a student of the HKICPA’s Qualification Programme between 1 July 2005 and 31 August 2010 but failed to pass the HKICPA's Qualification Programme by 30 June 2012 will fall under the 2010 MRA.
2000 MRA transitional arrangements
To become a member of CPA Australia under the transitional arrangements of the 2000 MRA, members of the HKICPA must:
- be registered as a student of the HKICPA’s Qualification Programme before 1 July 2005
- hold an accredited or recognised university degree
- pass the HKICPA's Qualification Programme
- meet the HKICPA's practical experience requirements as recognised by CPA Australia
- hold the CPA or FCPA status of HKICPA and be a member in good standing
- when an applicant has taken up permanent residency in Australia (as opposed to working or residing temporarily in Australia) pass university examinations offered on behalf of CPA Australia or the HKICPA in the appropriate subject or subjects of Australian company, taxation or other laws as prescribed by the by-laws from time to time of CPA Australia
Step 2: complete application
Complete the application form below and submit it with the following:
- 100 points of identification
- application and membership fee
- a letter of good standing from HKICPA that is dated no older than one year prior to application and contains the following information:
- date joined HKICPA as a student of the Qualification Programme
- date advanced to current member status
- date current membership is fully paid to
- confirmation that you are not a member of HKICPA by virtue of another mutual recognition agreement
- confirmation that you are not currently subject to any disciplinary sanctions or investigation and have not been subject to any disciplinary sanctions in the past five years
- change of name documentation (if applicable)
Please ensure you provide an e-mail address with your application.
Step 3: submit application
Send your application to CPA Australia's member advisory and information services (MAIS).
Step 4: processing of application
Your application will take approximately four weeks to process. If there are any queries about your application, a CPA Australia staff member will contact you.
If your application is successful, an e-mail will be sent to you informing you of your success. A welcome pack will follow by mail.
If your application is unsuccessful, a letter will be sent to you outlining the reasons why. We will provide advice about how you can meet CPA Australia's membership requirements.
Membership obligations
Once you are a member of CPA Australia you are obliged to:
- complete 120 hours per triennium with a minimum of 20 hours per year of continuing professional development (CPD*)
- comply with CPA Australia’s constitution, by-laws, code of ethics for professional accountants, professional and technical standards, and pronouncements of the board
* Completion of CPA Australia's CPD requirements will also satisfy HKICPA’s CPD requirements. You will be required to report annually to both HKICPA and CPA Australia. CPA Australia has an online CPD Diary which can electronically record your CPD hours.
Public practice
Please note the MRA does not include rights for HKICPA members to conduct public accounting services, sign audited financial statements or act as a taxation agent in Australia.
If you wish to offer public accounting services in Australia (including book keeping services) you will need to fulfil the minimum enrolment requirements to obtain a Practising Certificate (Public Practice Certificate), which is issued by CPA Australia.
The minimum requirements to obtain a Public Practice Certificate include:
- completion of examinations approved by the CPA Australia Board in the subjects of Australian company law, taxation and audit procedures (note the CPA Program Foundation Program – Fundamentals of Business Law exam is not a substitute for Australian company law)
- CPA Program Taxation or Advanced Taxation exam
- Public Practice Program (distance learning program and residential) and relevant Australian work experience
Additional requirements are prescribed by Australian regulators for members wishing to offer taxation, financial planning or insolvency services.
