Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning
Swinburne Online - online delivery only
Help clients reach their financial goals and be part of Australia’s fast-growing financial planning industry with Swinburne’s Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning.
Designed for both new and already practising financial planners. This course provides knowledge and understanding of crucial industry regulations, ethical principles and standards of professional practice in financial services.
You’ll develop your knowledge and skills to provide tailored and professional financial advice, and use the latest financial planning software, with XPLAN embedded throughout the course.
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.Duration
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Intakes
Online (March, July, November) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Online
2023 Start Dates
2024 Start Dates

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.

Women in Finance and Economics Scholarship Program
The purpose of the Scholarship is to encourage and assist women to enter, re-enter and achieve leadership roles across the financial services industry.
The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the primary membership organisation for financial planning practitioners who want to master the practice of financial planning, and who are committed to shaping the future of the profession.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Course structure
- Eight prescribed units of study (100 credit points)
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is 50 credit points (normally four units)
Units of study
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives
- 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.

Graduate skills
- 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 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.
Pathways and scholarships
- Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
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.
Entry requirements
- 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.