Accounting courses
You can start with a certificate in accounting and bookkeeping and be work ready in under a year, or train as an accountant with a degree. Here's what each course leads to, how long it takes and what it costs.
- Quickest way to start
- 6 months
- Certificate IV, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $1,980
- subsidised Certificate IV, TAFE NSW
- What the jobs pay
- $72,800 to $109,400
- median pay across 6 jobs, some estimated
- Demand
- 1 of 6 jobs
- are on the national shortage list
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
Work as a bookkeeper or accounts officer
Keep the books for a business, run its payroll and prepare the reports and activity statements it needs.
JobBookkeeper
Median pay$72,800
- How long it takes
- 6 to 18 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $1,980 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $8,450 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online, on campus or on the job
A bachelor degree in accounting
Work as an accountant, analyst or auditor
Prepare and check financial reports, examine a business's accounts, or work out where its money should go.
Median pay$104,200
- How long it takes
- 3 years full time
- How you'll study
- Online, on campus or a mix
You don't have to do it all at once
You can start with the Certificate IV, work in an accounts team, then study a degree while you work. Here's how that can look.
- Start with the Certificate IVThe quickest way in, and the study a bookkeeper, accounts officer or payroll officer usually needs.
- Get a job in an accounts teamLearn how a business keeps its records, and build the experience that later study and registration both ask for.
- Study a degree while you workA degree opens up accountant, analyst and auditor roles that the certificate alone does not.
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate IV | Diploma | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,980 | $8,450 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $5,166 | $9,576 | $5,301 | $9,331 |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $5,103 | $9,513 | $4,891 | $7,849 |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $3,906 | $8,827 | $6,124 | $8,798 |
| The Gordon | VIC | $4,896 | $8,465 | $6,995 | $7,731 |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $4,890 | $6,970 | $8,780 | $10,505 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate IV
- $1,980 subsidised
- $8,450 full fee
- Diploma
- Not listed
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Certificate IV
- $5,166 subsidised
- $9,576 full fee
- Diploma
- $5,301 subsidised
- $9,331 full fee
GOTAFEVIC
- Certificate IV
- $5,103 subsidised
- $9,513 full fee
- Diploma
- $4,891 subsidised
- $7,849 full fee
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Certificate IV
- $3,906 subsidised
- $8,827 full fee
- Diploma
- $6,124 subsidised
- $8,798 full fee
The GordonVIC
- Certificate IV
- $4,896 subsidised
- $8,465 full fee
- Diploma
- $6,995 subsidised
- $7,731 full fee
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate IV
- $4,890 subsidised
- $6,970 full fee
- Diploma
- $8,780 subsidised
- $10,505 full fee
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
The accounting degrees compared
These degrees all lead towards accounting work and most take about the same time to finish. The main difference is how much of the course is accounting itself, and how much is the wider business or finance context around it. Most can be studied online at one or more universities.
- Bachelor of AccountingFocuses on accounting itself, including auditing, taxation and company law, backed by economics, statistics and business ethics.How long3 yearsFocusAccounting only
- Bachelor of Accounting and FinancePairs accounting with finance, so you learn how results are reported and also how money is raised, invested and priced. It can point towards banking, consulting or funds work.How long3 yearsFocusAccounting and finance
- Bachelor of Business (Accounting)A business degree built around accounting, with law, economics, marketing and management, so you can explain financial results to the people making decisions.How long3 yearsFocusAccounting within business
- Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)Accounting inside a wider commerce degree. You start with general business studies, then move into financial reporting, auditing, tax and commercial law.How long3 yearsFocusAccounting within commerce
- Bachelor of Professional AccountingA grounding in accounting and business, covering how financial information is gathered and reported, plus tax, auditing and business law. Some programs include a placement.How long3 yearsFocusAccounting and business
Short university courses
- Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting6 months. For people whose first degree was in another field and who want an introduction to accounting, often before a longer qualification.
- Diploma of Business (Accounting)1 year. Introduces accounting principles alongside general business skills, and can lead to entry level accounting work or on to a degree.
Other certificates and diplomas
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
External AuditorWhat you needAn accounting degreeMedian pay$109,400In demand- Financial AccountantWhat you needAn accounting degreeMedian pay$104,200
Financial AnalystWhat you needAn accounting degreeMedian pay$109,200 (estimate)
Accounts OfficerWhat you needCertificate IVMedian pay$75,000- BookkeeperWhat you needCertificate IVMedian pay$72,800
Payroll OfficerWhat you needCertificate IVMedian pay$83,500
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
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