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Course code: HE20530V01

Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning

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Overview About this course

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning has been designed to meet the educational requirements for financial advisers set by the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS). The Graduate Diploma requires one year of study and is a FAS accredited course. Learn from financial planning professionals and benefit from TAFE NSW’s industry connections, including the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and the FPA Women in Finance and Economics Scholarship Program. With full time, part time and online study available, you can choose the option that makes sense for your career and lifestyle.

Course Duration

3 years full time or 6 years part time.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Create detailed financial plans and give financial advice

  • Understand how psychology affects financial market outcomes

  • Build client relationships

  • Embed ethical practices in financial planning processes

Course outcomes

Develop specialist skills to gain an advantage in the job market

  • A FAS accredited graduate diploma

  • Practical, industry-focused skills in financial planning

  • Eligibility for new entrants to begin their professional year

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

You must demonstrate that you have achieved one of the following:

    • Hold a financial planning diploma or advanced diploma and be currently practising as a financial planner or adviser or
    • Hold a degree in any discipline, including financial services degrees not on the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) approved list (formerly approved by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority [FASEA])

Note:

    • Your certificates, transcripts and other entry requirement evidence must be certified through a Justice of the Peace or other authorising officer

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • Checked the requirements set by the Australian Government Treasury’s Financial Adviser Standards

  • Experience working as a financial planner or adviser, or wish to commence working as a financial planner

  • Good communication skills

  • An interest in helping others

  • Curiosity and attention to detail

  • A PC or laptop to access study materials and complete your assessments

You do not require an ATAR score for entry into this course.

If you are unable to meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for special admission.

Please continue with your application and you will be guided to identify as mature aged (at least 21 years old in your first year of study) or disadvantaged (disability, serious or chronic illness, interrupted education, lack of support for study, serious personal problems and/or serious family responsibilities). Please contact us to find out more.

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like:

Financial Investment Adviser

Financial Investment Advisers develop and implement financial plans for individuals or organisations, and advise on investment strategies and their taxation implications, securities, insurance, pension plans and real estate.

  • Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

    83%

  • Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.

    11,700 workers

  • Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.

    42 years

  • Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.

    $2,250

  • Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.

    44 hours

  • Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.

    Very high

  • Gender share

    30% female

  • Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.

    Strong Growth

Other jobs include: Financial planner, Specialist financial planner, Senior financial planner, Financial planning manager, Client relationship manager, Assistant financial planner, Paraplanner, Financial coach, Investment analyst and Investment manager

Licensing

Graduates of this course will be eligible to apply for membership to the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA), and the Tax Practitioners Board as a tax (financial) advisor. This course also meets the minimum education requirements for the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) set by the Australian Government Treasury (formerly set by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA)) and qualifies new entrants to begin their professional year to register as a financial adviser. Visit FAS and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) for more information about the professional year for new entrants and the financial adviser exam.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 0 Courses

Alternative pathways into this course

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning does not have any pre-requisite courses.

Further study 0 Courses

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning does not have any post-graduate courses.

Related study 0 Courses

Strengthen your expertise and expand your employability

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning does not have any related courses.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning (https://www.tafensw.edu.au/enrol/recognition-credit-transfers) or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Subjects Subjects in this course

Completion of this course requires you to successfully complete 8 subjects (80 credit points) made up of 8 core subjects.

Core Subjects

    Elective Subjects

      Note: Some courses offer the opportunity to choose subjects from the complete suite of Higher Education electives that are delivered by TAFE NSW. Once you’ve enrolled, contact your Course Coordinator to discuss tailoring your course to align with your interests and goals.

      TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

      TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

      • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

      • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

      • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

      • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

      • TAFE NSW Libraries

      • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

      • Smarthinking - online access to a tutor

      • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

      • Student associations – get social with our student community

      Delivery options Find a location to enrol

      On campus, online and blended study environments; at TAFE NSW your learning works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites, compare courses and discover what works for you.