Study Projects Australia's Finance Workforce Shortfall to Reach 18,000 by 2035
A study commissioned by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) predicts a shortage of nearly 18,000 accounting, audit, and finance professionals in Australia by 2035. The research highlights that the largest gap will be among junior external auditors, with supply expected to cover less than half of demand. Accounting contributes over A$82.4 billion annually—about 3% of GDP—and supports more than 365,000 jobs. The report attributes the shortfall primarily to attrition, estimating that around 108,000 professionals will leave the field in the next decade. Declining domestic enrollments and reduced skilled migration have also contributed to the issue. Despite these challenges, demand for accounting expertise is rising due to regulatory complexity and technological change. CA ANZ CEO Ainslie van Onselen emphasized that addressing this shortage requires boosting local talent development, preserving global recruitment channels, building modern skills, supporting workforce participation, and improving long-term planning.
Topics: accounting economic impact finance workforce planning