University of New South Wales
Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
- Course Type: Graduate Diploma
Build the advanced accounting knowledge required for CPA Australia membership through a professionally focused graduate diploma.
Course overview
Designed for graduates who meet the foundation competencies for entry to the CPA Program, the Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting at UNSW Sydney combines professional accounting study with structured academic support. It is particularly suited to aspiring accounting professionals seeking additional guidance while completing the educational requirements for CPA Australia membership.
You will strengthen capabilities in ethics and governance, financial reporting, strategic management accounting and global strategy and leadership. Elective study in areas such as financial risk management, digital finance or Australian taxation provides scope to develop knowledge aligned with individual interests and professional goals.
Combining face-to-face and virtual learning, the program can be completed in one year of full-time study, with a part-time option also available. UNSW academics and tutors teach CPA Program content and provide support for the associated examinations. Successful completion meets the educational component of the CPA pathway, but CPA Australia examinations, membership fees and any additional professional requirements remain separate. The qualification may support career development across accounting, financial reporting, taxation, audit, risk and related advisory fields.
Key facts
24th May, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting, you must successfully complete units totalling 36 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.
Core units
- Ethics and Governance
- Financial Reporting
- Strategic Management Accounting
- Global Strategy and Leadership
Elective units
Select 12 credit points of the following:
- Financial risk management
- Digital finance
- Australian taxation
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Applicants must have a qualifying undergraduate or postgraduate degree and meet the foundation competency requirement for entry into the CPA program. Applicants can contact CPA Australia to request an eligibility assessment, which they then submit as part of their application.
Examples of relevant fields include, but are not restricted to:
- Accounting
- Taxation
- Auditing
- Financial reporting
- Financial data analysis
English language requirements
If English isn’t your first language, you may be required to provide evidence that your English language ability meets our requirements. Contact the university for further information. If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application.
You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses.
- Prior study in the medium of English.
- Other qualifications.
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Business knowledge: Students will make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in context of local and global business.
- Responsible business practice: Students will develop and be committed to responsible business thinking and approaches, which are underpinned by ethical professional practice and sustainability considerations.
- Global and cultural competence: Students will be aware of business systems in the wider world and actively committed to recognise and respect the cultural norms, beliefs and values of others, and will apply this knowledge to interact, communicate and work effectively in diverse community.
- Problem solving: Students will define and address business problems, and propose effective evidence-based solutions, through the application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking.
- Business communication: Students will harness, manage and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.
- Leadership development: Students will develop the capacity to take initiative, encourage forward thinking and bring about innovation, while effectively influencing others to achieve desired results.
Career outcomes
The Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting is ideal if you’re interested in a career as a:
- Professional accountant
- Chartered accountant
- Taxation specialist
- Auditor
- Forensic accountant
- Government advisor
- Risk management consultant
- ESG analyst
- Superannuation or investment advisor
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $31,500 (Full-fee paying place)
Additional examination fees by third parties may be payable for accreditation.
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.