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Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning

Help guide your clients’ financial goals with a diverse skill set designed for the future. Study the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning.

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Postgrad

Qualification

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12 months full-time

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Mar, Jul, Nov

Start Date

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8

Units

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100% Online

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$22,400*

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Corey-BW2

‘The support level has been unmatched. ELAs, student advisors, anyone you contact is always there for you. There is always someone to reach out to, always someone to help, always someone you can lean on.’

Corey, Swinburne Online graduate

8.2%  ▴

As a Financial Planner, you’ll have a strong future ahead of you, with an 8.2% increase expected in the next five years.  

GoodUniversity

Our business faculty has received a five-star rating for learning engagement, student support and skills development. 

‘The support level has been unmatched. ELAs, student advisors, anyone you contact is always there for you. There is always someone to reach out to, always someone to help, always someone you can lean on.’

Corey, Swinburne Online graduate

8.2%  ▴

As a Financial Planner, you’ll have a strong future ahead of you, with an 8.2% increase expected in the next five years.  

GoodUniversity

Our business faculty has received a five-star rating for learning engagement, student support and skills development. 

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Help guide your clients’ financial goals

A qualification approved by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) is mandatory for all financial planners. Swinburne Online’s FASEA-approved Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning is a great way to meet the new education requirements for existing financial planners, as well as people who are looking to start their career in the field.

This qualification will equip you with knowledge in investment, insurance, taxation, superannuation and estate planning. It develops the analytical and creative skills you will need for tackling Financial Planning issues within planning and decision making.

Studying online gives you the benefit of upskilling and earning your qualification without having to put your life on hold. You can continue to work and study at the same time.

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is also accredited by the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA). While you are studying you can become a member of the FPA for free to get access to a network of financial planning professionals and resources. Existing members of the FPA will receive a 15% discount for this course.

 The Financial Planning Education Council (FPEC) recently determined that the Financial Planning Association (FPA) is now able to grant RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) for any student completing a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, for the CFP units 1 to 4.

If you are completing the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning you now only need to undertake the CFP-capstone unit with the FPA and you will receive the CFP Designation on top of your Graduate Diploma from Swinburne.

What will you learn?

  • Critical thinking: Apply coherent and advanced knowledge of financial planning and business concepts in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking.
  • Professional knowledge: Draw from your comprehensive knowledge of financial systems and relevant regulations to help clients achieve their financial goals.
  • Communication: Communicate proficiently with clients, gather and interpret appropriate data and use advanced tools and practices to produce a financial plan.

Flexible study

What does flexible study mean for me?

Studying at Swinburne Online gives you the freedom to study how it suits you. Decide when and where it fits in with your life and tailor your study journey to your own needs. Get a world-class degree without giving up what’s important.

Flexible study at Swinburne Online

Set a study pace that work with what’s going on in your life. If you’re unsure about how much you can commit to, we can offer part-time options and the option of increasing your unit load as your progress. Interested in fast-tracking your studies? You also have the opportunity to complete up to 12 units per year.

You don’t have to put your life on hold to study. Prioritise what matters to you and fit study around family, work and personal commitments through a course that is flexibly designed for online learners.

Start when it suits. Swinburne Online offers multiple intake dates and flexible unit availability, so you can choose when you begin your studies or if you need to take a break.

Flexible study requires flexible support. As a Swinburne Online student, you’ll have support for extended hours, seven days a week, with Student Advisors available to help with anything from tech support to research advice and dedicated online tutors in each of your units.

Structure

Your course structure

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning consists of eight units that can be completed over 12 months full time.

Your units will build a firm foundation of financial planning skills, beginning your study with introductory subjects like ‘Elements of Financial Planning’, before expanding your specialist knowledge of particular financial areas in subjects such as ‘Insurance and Estate Planning’ and ‘Taxation Principles and Planning’.

Why study a degree in financial planning with Swinburne Online? Our courses are at the forefront of industry and provide you with the practical skills to success come graduation. View all units in this graduate diploma.

View All Units

How you'll learn

Learning designed for online

Your study journey with Swinburne Online is tailored to the digital space. You’ll study in a dynamic virtual classroom environment, interact with your peers in the custom-built social platform, and receive support at the times you need it from advisors who understand studying online.

Your online study journey

You’ll complete each of your units in Canvas, your online classroom, and be guided through coursework by an online tutor with real-world experience in your field of study. Canvas is where you’ll access classes, assignments and discussion boards with your peers.

The Student Hub is your online campus, where you’ll access the support and resources to assist you throughout your study journey. From managing your course to technical support and library resources, you’ll find it all in one easy location.

Swinburne Online will be there for you each step of the way. From enrolment through to graduation, we offer extended, flexible support in each of your units and advisors to assist with anything from technical support to referencing and assignment tips.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

To gain entry into this course, applicants must meet the following entry criteria:

  • A recognised bachelor degree in a related discipline; or
  • A recognised bachelor degree in any discipline PLUS a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience; or
  • A Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning.

If you are applying as an international student, please view the English Language Requirements.

Fees

The estimated annual fee for this course is $22,400*. This is based on completing eight 12.5 credit point units in one calendar year.

Commonwealth provided loans are available to assist eligible students to pay their course fees and there are a range of university, government and privately funded scholarships and prizes.

Discover more information about HELP loans.

Course fees will be affected by a student’s unit selection and any credit awarded in recognition of previous academic experience.

This course is offered to domestic and offshore international students.

Domestic students also contribute to student services and amenities via an annual fee.

Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. You may be eligible for Swinburne Scholarships.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne Online connection to industry

Your Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning will arm you with the necessary analytical skills to provide high-quality advice across a range of financial systems. By the time you graduate, you’ll be at the forefront of industry reform and ready to ensure the continued delivery of high-quality financial advice in response to the diverse needs of clients.

Assist individuals and companies to reach their long-term financial goals. Provide expert advice on investing, retirement planning, superannuation and other key financial aspects of people’s lives.

Help individuals and organisations prepare their tax returns, with tax planning and tax accounting. With your expert tax law knowledge, you’ll be essential during the end-of-financial-year.

Focuses on cash management, corporate finance and financial risk management within a business.

Financial Planning Association of Australia

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is accredited by the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA). While you are studying you can become a member of the FPA for free to get access to a network of financial planning professionals and resources.

Testimonial

‘Swinburne Online helped me reach my goals by providing me with the platform and tools I needed to succeed.’

Amanda

Swinburne Online graduate

Amanda-SOL
FAQs
What are other students asking?
A.
For students undertaking a degree, most of your learning materials are included with a free license provided to you by Swinburne Online. However, in some cases, you will be notified via your student email that you will need to buy specific software or eTexts. For TAFE Business students, all of your learning materials will be available online and are covered by your course fees. You won’t need to purchase any further materials.
A.
When you enrol to study a degree with us, you will nominate how many units you would like to select per teaching period, based on a recommendation from one of our Course Consultants. From here, our enrolments team will allocate you automatically to the units they feel will be best suited to your needs, so you don’t need to worry about choosing units. If you want to choose something different than what you are allocated to, that is no problem, just get in touch with our Student Advisors and they will take care of it for you.
A.
You won’t normally have to be online at a specific time. Your course material is available for you from the beginning of each teaching period and you can work through it in the hours that suit you. There are some live webinar sessions that run approximately once a month. These are a special opportunity for students to sign in at the same time as their tutors, normally before an assessment deadline. It gives you the chance to ask any questions relating to the assignment in real time and hear other student’s questions and thoughts. We understand that students won’t always be able to make these sessions, so they can be replayed the next day.

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