Master of Financial Planning
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
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.
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Duration
18 Month/s
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates
CRICOS code
098548J
Fees
A$36480 (annual for 2021)*
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.

Swinburne Financial Planning Association Member Scholarship
This scholarship provides a course tuition fee discount for students who are current members of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) who are studying a postgraduate course in Financial Planning delivered face-to-face at the Hawthorn campus or via online study with Swinburne Online. This scholarship also provides a unit tuition fee discount for students studying selected stand-alone bridging units.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
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 Master of Financial Planning, students must complete 150 credit points comprising:
- 11 core units of study (137.5 credit points)
- 1 elective unit of study (12.5)
It is recommended that students pursuing a CPA accreditation undertake ACC80008 as an elective. Students seeking CFP accreditation are advised to undertake and complete the CFP Certification Capstone unit (CFP C) with FPA and apply for an exemption towards the elective.
Students progressing from the Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning or Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning will be given full credit for the units completed.
Units of study
FIN60010 Elements of Financial Planning and Regulation
FIN60011 Behavioural Finance and Investment *
FIN60012 Ethics and Client Management *
LAW60003 Corporations and Contract Law
Elective Unit
Students who wish to pursue CPA accreditation must complete this unit. Students may wish to complete the external FPA CFP Certification Capstone unit (CFP C) and apply for an exemption towards this unit.
ACC80008 Managerial Accounting
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives 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
- apply knowledge of research principles to plan and execute a piece of research independently
- function as an effective member of a diverse team and take responsibility for continuing professional development.

Professional recognition
The Master 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.

AACSB Accreditation
Swinburne Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. The alumni of AACSB accredited business schools are among the world’s most influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs impacting business, government, and non-profit sectors. Only five per cent of business schools worldwide are AACSB accredited.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and English language requirements.
Course fees
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.
- a recognised bachelor degree in a related discipline or
- a recognised bachelor degree in any discipline PLUS a minimum of two year equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* or
- a Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning ** or
- completion of the Postgraduate Qualifying Program PLUS either previous Higher Education Study in a related discipline OR a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* (International applicants only)
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65%
- Or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
How to apply
Find out more
Tel: +613 9214 8444 (outside Australia)
Free call: 1300 794 628 (within Australia)
Email: international@swinburne.edu.au