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Course overview


STUDY MODE

100% online

NUMBER OF SUBJECTS

4

NEXT INTAKE

28 Oct 2024

COURSE FEE

$10,400.00

AVAILABLE LOANS

FEE-HELP

AQF LEVEL

8

COURSE DURATION

7 months full-time
1.5 years part-time
6 months accelerated full-time

PROVIDER ID

PRV12030


The online Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning is a four-subject higher education qualification set at AQF level 8.

It’s designed and developed in conjunction with leading financial advisers and industry experts to ensure what you learn is practical, relevant and immediately transferable to your professional practice.

The Graduate Certificate is the ideal starting point if you want to complete the first four subjects of the Master of Financial Planning pathway. You can then:

On completion of this course, individuals may be eligible for admission into the FAS-approved Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning with Kaplan Professional.

Who is this course for?

  • Advisers without a relevant degree who are looking for a pathway into a FAS-approved qualification
  • Career changers looking for an entry point for their studies towards becoming a financial adviser
  • Individuals who aren’t financial advisers, but require a deeper understanding or awareness of financial advice for their role

Course structure

Single subject study is also availableClick here for full subject availability.

Program structure

CourseNumber of subjects Subjects required to completeMaximum timeframe to complete
Graduate Certificate in
Financial Planning
44 core subjects3 years
(18 Study Periods)
Graduate Diploma of
Financial Planning
88 core subjects4 years
(24 Study Periods)
Master of Financial Planning1210 Core subjects
+
2 Elective subjects
5 years
(30 Study Periods)

FAS bridging courses

Kaplan Professional has been proactive in our approach to the development of the following FAS-approved bridging courses:

  • FPC001B Economic and Legal Context for Financial Planning (aligns to FAS bridging course: Financial Advice Regulatory and Legal Obligations)
    Learn more >
  • FPC002B Ethics and Professionalism in Financial Advice (aligns to FAS bridging course: Ethics for Professional Advisers)
    Learn more >
  • FPC007B Client Engagement Skills (aligns to FAS bridging course: Client and Consumer Behaviour, Engagement and Decision Making)
    Learn more >

Each bridging course can be completed as a stand-alone subject or counted towards Kaplan Professional’s FAS-approved Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning and FAS-approved Master of Financial Planning.

Learning outcomes

Course learning outcomes

On completion of this qualification, individuals will be able to:

  • Explain key economic principles and financial planning market concepts in the context of financial planning
  • Develop appropriate solutions from a range of portfolios and strategies for a variety of client profiles, needs and objectives
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the six steps of the financial planning process including comparing a range of financial products
  • Apply relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice and ethical behaviour
  • Demonstrate appropriate communication skills in client interactions
  • Apply competencies such as digital literacy, to provide appropriate services in advice and product recommendations to clients including developing a compliant statement of advice

Graduate attributes

Kaplan Professional defines the philosophy underpinning our qualifications through the graduate attributes.  These are the qualities we’d like individuals to develop as they progress through their academic studies; they reflect what individuals will know (knowledge) or be able to do (capabilities) when they finish their qualification.

The Attributes are built into Kaplan Professional course learning outcomes, content and assessments.

  • Deep discipline knowledge
  • Ethical conduct and values
  • Communication
  • Digital literacy
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Independence and initiative

Please click here to learn more about our graduate attributes

Potential career paths

  • Insurance / Risk consultant
  • Business development manager
  • Superannuation consultant
  • Portfolio analyst
  • Investment banker
  • Claims administrator
  • Compliance manager

Would like to know more about career opportunities in financial planning? Wondering what career opportunities you have once completing the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning? Read our guide and learn how you can start your journey to take your life and career to the next level.

 

Potential career paths

On completion of this qualification, individuals will be able to:

  • Explain key economic principles and financial planning market concepts in the context of financial planning
  • Develop appropriate solutions from a range of portfolios and strategies for a variety of client profiles, needs and objectives
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the six steps of the financial planning process including comparing a range of financial products
  • Apply relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice and ethical behaviour
  • Demonstrate appropriate communication skills in client interactions
  • Apply competencies such as digital literacy, to provide appropriate services in advice and product recommendations to clients including developing a compliant statement of advice

Kaplan Professional defines the philosophy underpinning our qualifications through the graduate attributes.  These are the qualities we’d like individuals to develop as they progress through their academic studies; they reflect what individuals will know (knowledge) or be able to do (capabilities) when they finish their qualification.

The Attributes are built into Kaplan Professional course learning outcomes, content and assessments.

  • Deep discipline knowledge
  • Ethical conduct and values
  • Communication
  • Digital literacy
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Independence and initiative

Please click here to learn more about our graduate attributes

  • Insurance / Risk consultant
  • Business development manager
  • Superannuation consultant
  • Portfolio analyst
  • Investment banker
  • Claims administrator
  • Compliance manager

Would like to know more about career opportunities in financial planning? Wondering what career opportunities you have once completing the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning? Read our guide and learn how you can start your journey to take your life and career to the next level.

 

Potential career paths

Key dates

Kaplan Professional’s six study period model provides you the freedom to study all year round. It also enables you to plan ahead and choose study periods that accommodate your professional and personal commitments. With a new study period commencing approximately every two months, overlapping slightly from the previous, you can accelerate your study or ‘take a break’ depending on your circumstances.

Study Period 5 2024

29 Jul 2024 - 15 Nov 2024

❌ Enrolments now closed

Early access opens 29 July 2024

Early access to assessments 12 August 2024

Study period commences 26 August 2024

Enrolments close/census 11 September 2024

Study period ends 15 November 2024

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 6 2024

30 Sep 2024 - 17 Jan 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 30 September 2024

Early access to assessments 14 October 2024

Study period commences 28 October 2024

Enrolments close/census 13 November 2024

Study period ends 17 January 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 1 2025

16 Dec 2024 - 4 Apr 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 16 December 2024

Early access to assessments 30 December 2024

Study period commences 13 January 2025

Enrolments close/census 29 January 2025

Study period ends 4 April 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 2 2025

10 Feb 2025 - 30 May 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 10 February 2025

Early access to assessments 24 February 2025

Study period commences 10 March 2025

Enrolments close/census 26 March 2025

Study period ends 30 May 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 3 2025

7 Apr 2025 - 25 Jul 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 7 April 2025

Early access to assessments 21 April 2025

Study period commences 5 May 2025

Enrolments close/census 21 May 2025

Study period ends 25 July 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 4 2025

2 Jun 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 2 June 2025

Early access to assessments 16 June 2025

Study period commences 30 June 2025

Enrolments close/census 16 July 2025

Study period ends 19 September 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

For a full list of annual study period dates, click here >

Entry requirements

Below are the minimum education requirements for entry into our postgraduate courses.

Alternative entry pathways may be available to you if you do not meet the minimum education requirements. In addition, other entry requirements, such as English language proficiency, may apply to you depending on your academic background.

The qualifications listed as minimum education requirements must be from a recognised Institute of Higher Education. Overseas qualifications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis using the Country Education Profiles (CEPs) qualification recognition tool provided by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

Minimum education requirement for entry

  • Completion of a Bachelor degree or higher qualification, or
  • Completion of a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in a related discipline with a minimum of one year full-time (or part-time equivalent) related work experience, or
  • At least three years’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience, or
  • Academic and/or professional qualifications demonstrating potential to undertake study at this level

You’ll be required to provide Kaplan Professional with certified documents supporting that you have met the requirements for entry into the course.

Don’t meet the above entry requirements?

You may be eligible for entry into this course based on your work expertise and/or if you hold an academic and/or professional qualification that is deemed appropriate to Kaplan Professional. Please refer to our alternative entry pathways for further information.

Related industry experience

Related industry/work experience can include, but is not limited to:

  • Working for financial institution(s) in position(s) with exposure to aspects of the industry
  • Managing a business for at least 2 years
  • Self-employed roles in trading or related areas.

Download the Related Industry Experience Form

Industry education requirements for financial advisers

We encourage you to request a call for your preferred time to discuss the options and study pathways available to you in more detail. These consultations allow our experienced and knowledgeable team to understand your needs, identify the qualification most appropriate for you, and address your questions thoroughly.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Advanced standing may be awarded in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for your prior studies that are directly related to the qualification.

We recognise various types of prior learning towards this qualification:

  • Advanced standing based on an industry designation
  • Advanced standing based on prior postgraduate study

Recognition of prior learning for the following Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) subjects will only be granted if your prior studies are listed within Schedule 2 – Courses and units of study of the Corporations (Relevant Providers Degrees, Qualifications and Courses Standard) Determination 2021. Industry experience is not eligible for recognition of prior learning for these subjects.

  • FPC001B Economic and Legal Context for Financial Planning
  • FPC002B Ethics and Professionalism in Financial Advice

Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), review the advanced standing ‘Precedent list,’ and get detailed guidance on the application process here.

  • Completion of a Bachelor degree or higher qualification, or
  • Completion of a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in a related discipline with a minimum of one year full-time (or part-time equivalent) related work experience, or
  • At least three years’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience, or
  • Academic and/or professional qualifications demonstrating potential to undertake study at this level

You’ll be required to provide Kaplan Professional with certified documents supporting that you have met the requirements for entry into the course.

You may be eligible for entry into this course based on your work expertise and/or if you hold an academic and/or professional qualification that is deemed appropriate to Kaplan Professional. Please refer to our alternative entry pathways for further information.

Related industry/work experience can include, but is not limited to:

  • Working for financial institution(s) in position(s) with exposure to aspects of the industry
  • Managing a business for at least 2 years
  • Self-employed roles in trading or related areas.

Download the Related Industry Experience Form

We encourage you to request a call for your preferred time to discuss the options and study pathways available to you in more detail. These consultations allow our experienced and knowledgeable team to understand your needs, identify the qualification most appropriate for you, and address your questions thoroughly.

Advanced standing may be awarded in recognition of prior learning (RPL) for your prior studies that are directly related to the qualification.

We recognise various types of prior learning towards this qualification:

  • Advanced standing based on an industry designation
  • Advanced standing based on prior postgraduate study

Recognition of prior learning for the following Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) subjects will only be granted if your prior studies are listed within Schedule 2 – Courses and units of study of the Corporations (Relevant Providers Degrees, Qualifications and Courses Standard) Determination 2021. Industry experience is not eligible for recognition of prior learning for these subjects.

  • FPC001B Economic and Legal Context for Financial Planning
  • FPC002B Ethics and Professionalism in Financial Advice

Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), review the advanced standing ‘Precedent list,’ and get detailed guidance on the application process here.

How to apply

Each Kaplan Professional postgraduate qualification has minimum entry requirements that you must meet to qualify for admission.

In order to complete your studies with Kaplan Professional, you’re assumed to have the required technology access and skills.

Find out more

You can apply to study with Kaplan Professional by completing our online application (enrolment) form.

Alternatively, you can submit a hard copy of the application (enrolment) form.

You can apply now and supply documentation later to support your application for admission (within three weeks of your initial application to the qualification). Please click here for details on what documentation you may need to provide to support your application.

Apply (enrol) now

You may be able to obtain advanced standing or recognition of prior learning for a Kaplan Professional subject based on your previous study, professional membership status and/or work experience.

Find out more

All subjects are offered online for each study period, giving you the flexibility of choosing when and where you wish study. You pay tuition fees for the subject(s) you’re enrolled in within an individual study period. Check the fee schedule for more information about fees.

FEE-HELP is available to eligible students. Click here to find out if you’re eligible.

You should also check the individual subject outlines to understand the recommended study time commitments for the subject, along with any recommended assumed knowledge.

Click here to view a list of financial planning subjects.

Make sure you also check the assessment timetable to ensure you are available to sit the assessment pieces.

Go to course

Why choose us

Kaplan Professional is a leading provider of education in Australia, providing learning solutions to over 45,000 professionals annually – this includes 1,500 corporate clients, incorporating all the major banks and leading financial services providers in the country.

You can count on diligent and prompt support from a dedicated Student Advice team who are always a phone call or email away. The team is experienced, knowledgeable and specifically in place to support financial advisers who are studying at the postgraduate level. You’ll work together with the team to create a tailored pathway that will help you map out your studies and plan ahead to ensure you’re able to achieve your goals within your desired timeframe.

Kaplan Professional has always prided itself on its ability to engage industry experts and leading financial advisers to curate and deliver our subject content. This ensures you’ll be provided with practical, relevant and performance-focused outcomes, directly applicable to your professional practice. These industry practitioners deliver online lectures, respond to questions in the discussion forum, and provide assessment feedback.

Kaplan Professional’s six study period model provides you the freedom to study all year round, but most importantly, every postgraduate financial planning subject is available in each study period. This ensures you’re able to plan ahead and choose study periods that accommodate your professional and personal commitments. With a new study period commencing approximately every two months, overlapping slightly from the previous, you can accelerate your study or ‘take a break’ depending on your circumstances.

You have access to KapLearn – your innovative online learning hub – anytime and anywhere. This convenience and flexibility empowers you to plan your study time around the rest of your day, instead of the other way around. This is particularly beneficial for busy financial advisers who already have significant professional and personal commitments. Discussion forums, interactive notes, research journals, online journals, real-world case studies and diverse multimedia content are all easily accessible in one intuitive and user-friendly hub.

You’ll have direct access to the industry practitioners and subject matter experts in an online discussion forum, where you can seek clarification on subject content and discuss any study issues you may have. By participating in online discussion forums in a supportive peer-to-peer environment, you have the unique ability to discover the viewpoints of like-minded individuals from different areas of the industry. This creates a richer, more immersive learning experience, while providing you further opportunities to extend your professional network.

You’ll also have the option of being assigned a study group. This enables you to form new perspectives; understand and absorb information more efficiently; improve and develop new study skills; and benefit from a cooperative, rather than competitive, learning environment.

Fees and FEE-HELP

 

 

Enrolment feesFee
Subject fee 2024$2,600 (GST free)

If you’re paying by cheque, utilising a deferral, or have a preferred client code, you’ll need to download and submit a hard copy of the form below.

Download a new student application (enrolment) form>

Support and wellbeing

We understand studying isn’t always easy; you may not have studied for some time or perhaps you haven’t studied online previously. Kaplan Professional recognises juggling study with work and family commitments, while trying to find the balance can be demanding.

Your wellbeing and safety is paramount to Kaplan Professional. We want to ensure your experience is well-rounded and balanced to help you attain the most from your studies, so we encourage you to take advantage of the services available to you.

Support and wellbeing

We understand studying isn’t always easy; you may not have studied for some time or perhaps you haven’t studied online previously. Kaplan Professional recognises juggling study with work and family commitments, while trying to find the balance can be demanding.

Your wellbeing and safety is paramount to Kaplan Professional. We want to ensure your experience is well-rounded and balanced to help you attain the most from your studies, so we encourage you to take advantage of the services available to you.

Programs you might be interested in

CRS1300149

Master of Financial Planning

Our online, FAS-approved Master of Financial Planning is a purpose-built higher education qualification set at AQF level 9. It’s designed and developed in consultation with industry experts, and combines advanced technical rigour with practical and relevant performance-focused learning outcomes.
CRS1200364

Master of Applied Finance

Leading online degree designed for ambitious and savvy individuals who are looking for advanced academic rigour, but thrive on practical and real-world learning immediately applicable in the workplace, and directly relevant to future career roles. It caters to experienced finance professionals and those transitioning into the field, integrating learning outcomes with pathways for further accreditation such as a CFA®.
CRS1200368

Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning

An eight-subject postgraduate qualification set at AQF Level 8 and FAS approved. Includes the first eight subjects of the FAS-approved Master of Financial Planning.

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