The invention discloses an efficient refining agent for smelting an aluminum alloy. The efficient refining agent is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 6-8 parts of plant ash, 8-10 parts of bentonite, 3-5 parts of wollastonite in powder, 3.5-5.5 parts of celestite powder, 0.5-2 parts of graphite powder, 3-5 parts of jade powder, 2-4 parts of quartz sand, 8-10 parts of magnesium hydroxide, 8-10 parts of lithium chloride, 6-8 parts of zinc chloride, 3-4 parts of calcium chloride, 2-4 parts of barium chloride, 4-5 parts of potassium fluosilicate, 1-2 parts of potassium tripolyphosphate, 2-3 parts of sodium sulfate, 1-2 parts of sodium metasilicate, 7-8 parts of rare earth carbonate, 0.1-1.0 part of boron oxide, 0.8-1.2 parts of yttrium fluoride and 3-5 parts of cerium oxide. The efficient refining agent can be used for effectively removing nonmetallic inclusions from an aluminum alloy melt and reducing the loss of rare earth elements in the alloy, and has a good degassing effect; and when the efficient refining agent is used for refining, aluminum dross is separated thoroughly, so that the porosity and oxide inclusions in an alloy casting are obviously reduced, and the comprehensive performance of an aluminum alloy profile is improved.