Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning | International Student Courses | Swinburne University

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With our FASEA-approved Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, you’ll meet the regulatory requirements for financial planners – whether you’re new to the industry or a financial planner returning to study.

The Graduate Diploma aims to sharpen the analytic and creative skills you’ll need to provide tailored and professional financial advice. It also builds on the Graduate Certificate with a deeper dive into investment, insurance, taxation, superannuation and estate planning.

You’ll learn from role playing scenarios, rigorous discussions, real case studies, and recorded and live sessions. Throughout the course you’ll use the latest financial planning software (XPLAN) and connect with industry through site visits, annual roadshows and guest speakers.

This course is approved by the Financial Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) and professionally accredited by the Financial Planning Education Council (FPEC). Students are eligible to apply for membership to the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA). Swinburne’s partnership with the FPA, also allows students progressing to our Master of Financial Planning, to combine it with the CFP® Certification Program.

Information sessions

Find out how you can meet us in your home country or in Australia.

Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 75% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.

Duration

1 Year/s

Intakes

Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates

CRICOS code

098547K

Fees

A$38300 (annual for 2022)*

The indicative course fees shown in Course Search 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. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

Course information in detail

- Course detail, course structure and units of study.

Course description

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning enables students to complete a Financial Planning qualification to continue their professional education. The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning also enables existing financial advisers who hold a non-relevant degree or do not have a degree to satisfy the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) requirements. It also provides an opportunity for existing financial advisers to satisfy the Tax Practitioners Board requirements for registration as a Tax Financial Advisor.

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 in various roles. as a financial planner or para-planer in the fields of investment, insurance, superannuation and estate planning.

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.

Course structure

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

Eight prescribed units of study (100 credit points)

Units of study

Students must complete all eight core units (100 credit points):

FIN60010 Elements of Financial Planning and Regulation
FIN60011 Behavioural Finance and Investment *
FIN60012 Ethics and Client Management *
LAW60003 Corporations and Contract Law
FIN80022 Insurance and Estate Planning
FIN80023 Superannuation and Retirement Planning
FIN80025 Financial Advice Technology Project *
ACC80012 Taxation Principles and Planning *

*Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.

Careers and graduate outcomes

- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.

Career opportunities

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning 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.

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.

Professional recognition

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is approved by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA). Students may also be eligible for recognition as a Tax Financial Advisor with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB). Registration with TPB also depends on students’ previous work experience being assessed and final confirmation of eligibility will be provided by TPB.

A FASEA approved degree is mandatory in order to practice as a financial planner or advisor in Australia.

Pathways and scholarships

- Scholarships.

Scholarships

At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. Find out more about scholarships.

Course fees and requirements

- Fees, entry requirements and English language requirements.

Course fees

A$38300 (annual for 2022)*

Entry requirements

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) can now be done on campus in Hawthorn at Room 132, Building TD. Book now or call +61 3 9214 3584 for more information.

Standard Entry:

a recognised bachelor degree in business 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 **

*Relevant professional/managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Faculty PVC (or delegate) with reference to Faculty determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application. Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.

**Students entering under this admission requirement will be given full credit for the units completed in the Graduate Certificate.

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic Module): Overall 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne English Language Centre: EAP 5 Advanced level with overall 70% & all skills 65% or above
TOEFL iBT: 79 (Reading no less than 18, Writing no less than 20)
PTE Academic: 58 (no communicative skill less than 50) or
equivalent measures available here.

How to apply

Find out more about how to apply.

Find out more

Submit an online enquiry
Tel: +613 9214 8444 (outside Australia)
Free call: 1300 794 628 (within Australia)
Email: international@swinburne.edu.au