Your membership in retirement

Transition to retirement: under 54s 

If you are 54 years of age or younger, working part-time or no longer working, then you may be eligible for a reduction to your CPA Australia membership fees.

This reduction is not applied automatically. You can apply by submitting an online application for reduction in membership renewal fee and provide the reason for your request.

You’ll retain all privileges of membership if your application is approved.

You may also be eligible for a reduction in your CPD hours. We grant both full and partial reductions to CPD obligations and you can apply if you have taken leave from your professional duties. 

You’ll only need to apply for a CPD reduction if you’re selected to participate in  CPD review.

There are many ways you can maintain your CPD hours at little or no cost. Find out how to boost your CPD.

Transition to retirement: over 55s  

CPA Australia maintains a retired list for members who are retired or who work less than 15 hours or two days a week. To be eligible a member must:

• be at least 55 years old
• no longer be engaged in full-time, gainful employment or business (other than minor part-time activities)
• no longer hold a specialist certificate.

To be entered on the retired list, you’ll need to complete the online application Transfer to the Retired Member List.

If you’re on the retired list, you can keep all the benefits of CPA Australia membership at a considerably discounted fee. You won’t need to maintain your CPD hours either. But you can still access a range of discounts on events, products and activities throughout the year.

If you‘re working part-time but more than 15 hours or two days a week, you may be eligible to apply for a reduction of your membership renewal fee.

Public practice requirements 

If you provide public accounting services in Australia or New Zealand and hold a Limited Practice Certificate or a Public Practice Certificate you’ll need to  meet your obligations while transitioning to retirement.

The value of retaining your membership  

Your CPA Australia membership keeps you engaged with the profession and allows you to share your skills with others. You’ll continue to have access to a range of services, including:

• CPA Australia's collection of online resources
• networking events
• CPA Member Connect
• intheblack.com and INTHEBLACK magazine
• member benefits – a range of special deals on quality products for your personal life.

Stay engaged 

You  can also continue to develop and share your professional skills and life experience with other CPA Australia members. You can:

• join a discussion group and share your experiences
• take on a volunteer or mentor role
• attend events, webinars and conferences to network with peers
• represent member interests by joining a divisional council or a committee such as the Third Age Network.

Third Age Network (TAN) 

The “Third Age” refers to the period after full-time employment, often called the age of active retirement. Some CPA Australia Divisions have established TAN committees. These committees aim to advance, represent and engage the interests of mature age members who want to:

• maintain their professional skills and  continue lifelong learning
• feel valued and connected
• feel encouraged to give back their wealth of knowledge and experience to the profession, community and society.

Contact your nearest Division to find out more about TAN and engage with us.

Related forms

• Apply for a reduction in your membership renewal fee
• Apply to be entered on the retired membership list
• Apply for readmission

Related links

• Renew my membership
• Continuing professional development
• Reduced course fees