If you’re an ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)-qualified accountant who has relocated to Perth (or is planning to), you’ve probably already worked out that your global qualification carries serious weight in the finance world. What you might not know is that it can also carry weight with your mortgage right here in Australia — potentially saving you years of saving and thousands of dollars in Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

The problem: the 20% deposit wall

Most home buyers assume they need a 20% deposit to avoid LMI. On a $850,000 Perth property, that’s $170,000 sitting in savings before you even start looking — plus stamp duty and settlement costs on top. For someone who’s only recently moved to Australia and is still building up local savings ie in AUD, that can mean years on the sidelines while the market moves without you.

The professional package: a shortcut that already exists

Most major lenders offer LMI waivers to certain “low-risk” professions — medical practitioners, lawyers, and accountants among them. Under these professional packages, eligible accountants can typically borrow up to 90% of the property value with no LMI at all.

To qualify, lenders generally want to see membership with a recognised Australian accounting body — most commonly:

• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
• CPA Australia
• Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), accepted by some lenders

This is where it gets useful for ACCA members.

Turning your ACCA into a locally recognised membership

ACCA is a globally respected qualification, but Australian lenders are looking for local body recognition — and ACCA members have two established pathways to get it:

Pathway 1: CA ANZ
Under the ACCA–CA ANZ Reciprocal Membership Agreement (in place since 2016), ACCA members with at least five years of continuous membership in good standing, who are living in Australia or New Zealand, can apply for direct admission to CA ANZ.

Pathway 2: CPA Australia
ACCA members with five years’ continuous membership can apply for CPA Australia membership with advanced standing — meaning some CPA Program components are waived. You’ll still typically need to complete Australian-specific components (such as Australian tax and business law) and the compulsory capstone unit, but it’s a genuine fast-track rather than starting from scratch.

Both pathways require full ACCA membership (not affiliate or student status) and evidence of good standing — so this works best for accountants who’ve already put in a few years with ACCA before making the move.

Why this matters more than it looks

Once you hold CA ANZ or CPA Australia membership, you’re no longer applying for a mortgage as “just” a migrant professional — you’re applying as a recognised Australian accountant, eligible for the same LMI waiver most homegrown CAs and CPAs use.

The real comparison isn’t “pay less” — it’s “wait less.” Using the professional no-LMI pathway Deposit needed on $850,000 property would be $170,000- not an easy feat especially your originating country currency is weaker than AUD. With this – your deposit required is $85,000 (10% LVR) LMI payable $0 (waived under professional package) Typical time to get there (saving ~$2,000/month after rent) 5+ years As soon as CA ANZ/CPA Australia membership + 10% deposit is in place, you can start looking for your dream home.

Otherwise, the additional years of savings can mean chasing a rising target.

You’re in the market now, building equity instead of savings.

The 95% / 5% path doesn’t save you money in the traditional sense — you’re still borrowing more and paying interest on it. What it saves you is time: years you’d otherwise spend saving an extra $85,000+ while Perth property prices keep moving ahead of you.

What you still need to bring to the table

This isn’t a free pass — it’s a recognised shortcut, and lenders will still assess you fully:

• Full CA ANZ or CPA Australia membership (not provisional/student status)
• Genuine savings or an acceptable deposit source for the remaining 5%
• Stable Australian employment and income that meets standard serviceability requirements
• A clean credit history

Lender policies on professional LMI waivers also vary and change — some cap loan sizes, some have minimum income thresholds, and not every lender on the market offers this at all. This is exactly the kind of detail worth checking with a broker before you set your heart on a particular property or settlement date.

The bottom line

If you’re an ACCA member sitting on five-plus years of membership and eyeing the Perth market, converting to CA ANZ or CPA Australia isn’t just a career move — it could be the difference between waiting years to save a 20% deposit and buying with 10% equity, LMI-free, today.

Next best thing…

Such a beneficial LVR doesn’t just apply to your 1st property. The low LVR / LMI waiver would apply to your investment property as well. So not only you are saving time but this route can help to built your investment portfolio.

---

This article is general information only and does not take into account your personal financial situation, objectives, or needs. It does not constitute credit advice or a recommendation to enter into any credit contract. Before acting on any information here, you should consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser and/or your accountant regarding your specific circumstances. Lending criteria, LMI waiver eligibility, and professional package terms vary by lender and are subject to change without notice.