General Information

Overview

Help clients reach their financial goals by studying the FPA accredited Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning. Designed for both new and already practising financial planners, this course provides knowledge and understanding of crucial industry regulations. You’ll also learn about ethical principles and standards of professional practice in financial services.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning requires students to complete units of study to the value of 100 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Elements of Financial Planning and Regulation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		FIN60010
Behavioural Finance and Investment
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		FIN60011
Ethics and Client Management
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		FIN60012
Corporations and Contract Law
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		LAW60003
Insurance and Estate Planning
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		FIN80022
Superannuation and Retirement Planning
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		FIN80023
Financial Advice Technology Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		FIN80025
Taxation Principles and Planning
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		ACC80012

Aims and objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to: 

  • apply coherent and advanced knowledge of financial planning and business concepts in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking
  • apply problem solving, design and decision making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence
  • communicate proficiently with clients, gather and interpret appropriate data and use advanced tools and practices to produce a financial plan
  • demonstrate integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, respect and a broad awareness of the professional code of conduct and cultural norms
  • critically analyse and evaluate a range of complex information to produce systematic strategies for wealth creation and risk minimisation in preparing financial advice.

Career opportunities

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning [Online delivery] enables students to complete a Financial Planning qualification to continue their professional education. A career in Financial Planning is about helping clients to reach their financial goals based on their unique circumstances. This requires gaining substantial knowledge in the fields of investment, insurance, taxation, superannuation and estate planning. Having a sound understanding about the industry regulations and ethical principles is also crucially important. This course provides knowledge in those areas and is built on the skills and knowledge acquired in the Graduate Certificate. It further develops the analytical and creative skills necessary when dealing with Financial Planning issues within planning and decision making. Students will have the opportunity to join the financial advice industry as a financial planner or para-planer in the fields of investment, insurance, superannuation and estate planning.

Graduate skills

The Swinburne graduate attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:

  • capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas and an ability to engage in critical enquiry
  • entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
  • effective and ethical in work, community situations and reasoning skills
  • adaptable and able to manage change, and
  • aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. socio-cultural, economic and natural).

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Financial Planning Education Council (FPEC). Students are eligible to apply for membership to the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and to apply for entry into the FPA CFP® Certification Program.

This course is part of the same suite that includes Swinburne’s Master of Financial Planning which is approved by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA). FASEA approval for the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is fully approved.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is 50 credit points (normally four units)

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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