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.

View the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning course handbook

Upgrade your skills

  • Financial Planning
  • Critical thinking
  • Digital literacy
  • Problem-solving
  • Analytical thinking
  • Communication

Stretch your career further

Students can enhance their career opportunities by gaining additional leadership and management skills – an important asset in a today’s complex and changing business environment. The below examples demonstrate the types of roles graduates can attain.

  • Financial Planner
  • Personal Finance Advisor
  • Insurance Advisor
  • Superannuation Advisor
  • Para-planer
  • Investment Advisor
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Professional accreditations

Why Swinburne?

Top 5% of the world’s higher education business schools

Top 300 for Business and Economics

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

#1 in Melbourne for student support

#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary one year out

  • Side view head shot of a smiling mixed race female wearing a headset, with laptop communicating via video chat.

    Study with Swinburne Online

    With Swinburne Online, the learning experience is 100% online and studied at your own pace. Our courses are built for the jobs of the future with a focus on collaboration and our flexible learning environment empowers you to study on your own terms. They are developed by leaders in the field and taught by professionals with industry experience.

Qualifications

  • Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree in business or
  • Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree plus 3 years work experience or 
  • Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting or the Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning.
  • Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree in business or
  • Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree plus 3 years work experience or 
  • Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting or the Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning.

 

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning [Online delivery], students must complete 100 credit points.

8
Core units
=
Graduate diploma

Your units

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

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$23,500

Total fee* ($AUD)

$23,500

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2024 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

How do I pay my fees?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Finances
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
  • are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
  • have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
     

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
GD-FINPLS
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! 

Please note: This online course is not available to on-shore international students holding a student visa.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Last date to apply
03-July-2024
Start dates
08-July-2024
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Last date to apply
30-October-2024
Start dates
04-November-2024
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Start dates
08-July-2024
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start dates
04-November-2024
Upcoming events
5th Australasian Youth Justice Conference 2024. Strengthening Connections: The Power of Relationships and Strong Service Partnerships
16-April-2024