Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting

Course summary for international students

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Length	1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026	$48,000 for 1 yr full-time AUD
Level	Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
CRICOS code	073434C Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course code	M696
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Students who have commenced prior to T1 2019, please refer to the 2018 handbook, or the handbook archives, for the relevant course structure.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Become a financial specialist equipped with the skills and knowledge to inform business decision-making across a wide range of organisations. Ideal for graduates from any discipline, you'll gain the accounting and finance expertise needed to excel in management roles. Unlock exciting career opportunities with a world-class qualification that combines theory with practical experience from a university ranked in the top 150 globally for accounting.*

You will master core accounting principles including management accounting, financial reporting and performance management, giving you the skills and confidence to assess financial positions and advise on critical business decisions. Gain a competitive edge with Deakin Business School's work-integrated learning program. Apply your knowledge to real-world projects, developing the analytical skills you need to thrive in the business world.

Want a qualification to accelerate your career in the business world?

This flexible course offers a pathway to professional accounting qualifications such as CPA Australia and the CA Program, as well as further studies such as the Master of Professional Accounting or Master of Commerce.

* QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

Online studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

Professional recognition

Completion of the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting and selection of the correct combination of units in one of our professionally accredited courses, provides the opportunity for students to be eligible to apply for admission to the:

CA Program of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
Associate membership for the CPA Program, CPA Australia
IPA Program for the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) and
Exemptions may apply for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Students should carefully note the trimesters when units are offered to ensure that all required units can be completed in the appropriate time frame.

Students who wish to enter the CA, CPA programs or exemptions to the ACCA program are advised that it is their responsibility to ensure that they take the appropriate units required for entry.

Students who have completed prior undergraduate or graduate units in accounting or other core knowledge areas are advised to have their qualifications assessed by their preferred professional organisation to ensure they complete the correct units.

Please note: The eligibility of students for membership of any of the accounting accrediting bodies is subject to meeting the requirements of that body and that Deakin makes no representations that individuals will meet those requirements.

Fees and charges

The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning. One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value.

The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook. Learn more about fees and available payment options.

Career opportunities

The Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting delivers core knowledge and practical skills that support a transition into accounting or advancement in finance and compliance roles. It offers strong appeal for international students, career changers, and professionals seeking promotion into more technical roles.

Career opportunities include:

assistant accountant
auditor or audit support specialist
budget analyst
financial or management reporting analyst
tax compliance officer
payroll specialist
internal controls and compliance analyst
finance reporting assistant
banking and credit analyst
procurement reporting officer
accounting systems officer
reporting or regulatory accountant

This qualification opens doors to roles in public and private sectors, including consulting, banking, SMEs, government, and the not-for-profit sector.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate conceptual knowledge of advanced accounting and techniques in auditing and financial management including applications to complex real-world problems
Communication	Draft and present user- friendly reports that clarifies the merits and weaknesses of alternate solutions and makes defensible recommendations
Digital literacy	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award
Critical thinking	Identify potential alternative accounting and financial solutions and evaluate both financial and non-financial costs and benefits of such solutions
Problem solving	Determine ways to resolve a firm’s financial and non-financial constraints through appropriate match with the theoretical solutions and develop a structured implementation plan
Self-management	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award
Teamwork	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award
Global citizenship	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting, you must pass 8 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.

An 8-credit point Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
4 credit points of core units
4 credit points of course elective units.

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Core units

MAA701

Accounting ^{1, 2}

MAF752

Principles of Finance ^{1, 2, 4}

MAA703

Accounting for Management ^{1, 2, 4}

MAA716

Financial Accounting ^{1, 2}

Course electives

Select 4 credit points of units from:

MAA705

Corporate Auditing ^{2, 3, 4}

MAA725

Advanced Accounting Principles and Practice ^{1, 2}

MLC703

Principles of Income Tax Law ^{2, 3, 4}

MLC707

Business Law ^{1, 2}

MPE781

Economics for Managers ^{1, 2}

MAA789

Accounting Systems and Analytics ^{1, 2}

MAF717

Analytical Methods ^{1, 2}

or units from the Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Finance and the Master of Financial Planning. Other postgraduate units may be taken subject to the approval of the Course Director.

Notes:
¹ Required by CPA Australia for Associate (foundation level) Membership.
² Required by the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand for entry to the CA Program.
³ For candidates who have completed an accredited degree in Australia, this unit may be taken as part of the CPA program. Other students must complete the unit before becoming an Associate Member of CPA Australia.
⁴ For candidates who would like to obtain exemptions to the ACCA program.

Admission criteria

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

Academic requirements

To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

completion of a major sequence or bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline
completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline and at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

Pathways

This course can be a pathway to:

Master of Professional Accounting (M742)

Credit for prior learning - general

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting (M506)

Further study

M742 Master of Professional Accounting

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning into the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting may be granted to students who have successfully completed appropriate postgraduate studies. There are negotiated recognition of prior learning arrangements in place for CPA members.

Workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Work experience

This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more elective work integrated learning units.

Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning, collaborative online international learning arrangements or collaborative research training arrangements.

Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.