FAS-approved Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning

Course overview

STUDY MODE

100% online

NUMBER OF SUBJECTS

8

NEXT INTAKE

13 Jan 2025

COURSE FEE

$20,800.00

AVAILABLE LOANS

FEE-HELP

AQF LEVEL

8

COURSE DURATION

1.25 years full-time
2.5 years part-time
10 months accelerated full-time

ACCREDITATION

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency

PROVIDER ID

PRV12030

Our online, FAS-approved Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is an eight-subject higher education qualification set at AQF level 8, which comprises the first eight subjects of Kaplan Professional’s Master of Financial Planning.

The qualification is designed and developed in conjunction with leading advisers and industry experts to ensure what you learn is practical, relevant and immediately transferable to your professional practice. You’ll build on the skills you’ve already developed and broaden your technical knowledge in investment, taxation, estate and succession planning, and client engagement skills.

Who is this course for?

Individuals seeking to undertake a FAS-approved qualification
Individuals looking to build on existing knowledge and skills to develop a broader technical knowledge in investment, taxation, estate and succession planning and client engagement

Course structure

Subjects

FPC001B – Economic and Legal Context for Financial Planning

FPC002B – Ethics and Professionalism in Financial Advice

FPC003 – Superannuation and Retirement Advice

FPC004 – Insurance Advice

FPC005 – Estate and Succession Planning

FPC006 – Taxation for Financial Planning

FPC007B – Client Engagement Skills

FPC008 – Investment Advice

Single subject study is also available. Click here for full subject availability.

Program structure

Course	Number of subjects	Subjects required to complete	Maximum timeframe to complete
Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning	4	4 core subjects	3 years (18 Study Periods)
Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning	8	8 core subjects	4 years (24 Study Periods)
Master of Financial Planning	12	10 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:

FPC002B Ethics and Professionalism in Financial Advice (aligns to FAS bridging course: Ethics for Professional Advisers)
Learn more >
FPC001B Economic and Legal Context for Financial Planning (aligns to FAS bridging course: Financial Advice Regulatory and Legal Obligations)
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.

Industry designations

Individuals who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning will meet the entry requirement for the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) designation offered by the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA).

Exit qualifications

Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning

Learning outcomes

Course learning outcomes

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

Apply key economic principles and theoretical and technical concepts in the context of financial planning
Formulate appropriate recommendations based on the comparison of portfolios and strategies for clients, including those with specialised needs
Apply analytical skills to propose appropriate business and tax structures for a variety of clients’ circumstances
Integrate competencies such as digital literacy and relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice and ethical behaviour in the financial planning process
Assess emotional, social and other drivers of client behaviour to integrate appropriate communication, negotiation and client relationship -building skills relevant to the financial planning process
Create solutions in a financial planning context using problem-solving, research and inquiry skills

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

Financial adviser/planner
Insurance / Risk adviser
Business development manager
Superannuation consultant
Portfolio analyst
Investment banker
Claims administrator
Compliance manager
Risk adviser
Technical consultant
Financial advice practice manager
Responsible manager

Advance your career and open further avenues by learning new knowledge and skills. Read our financial planning guide to learn where completing the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning course can take you.

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

Apply key economic principles and theoretical and technical concepts in the context of financial planning
Formulate appropriate recommendations based on the comparison of portfolios and strategies for clients, including those with specialised needs
Apply analytical skills to propose appropriate business and tax structures for a variety of clients’ circumstances
Integrate competencies such as digital literacy and relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice and ethical behaviour in the financial planning process
Assess emotional, social and other drivers of client behaviour to integrate appropriate communication, negotiation and client relationship -building skills relevant to the financial planning process
Create solutions in a financial planning context using problem-solving, research and inquiry skills

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.

Financial adviser/planner
Insurance / Risk adviser
Business development manager
Superannuation consultant
Portfolio analyst
Investment banker
Claims administrator
Compliance manager
Risk adviser
Technical consultant
Financial advice practice manager
Responsible manager

Study period ends 16 January 2026

Assessment dates See assessment information

SEE DETAILS

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

Pathways

Combine our Master of Financial Planning with the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® certification

Kaplan Professional is proud to partner with the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA), enabling individuals to integrate our FAS-approved Master of Financial Planning with the CFP® Certification Program, a gold standard for financial planners for over 30 years.

This pathway requires individuals to successfully complete 10 core subjects and 1 elective subject from Kaplan Professional’s Master of Financial Planning. The final elective subject – CFP® certification unit – is completed with the FAAA.

Click here to find out more.

Combine the Master of Financial Planning with the SMSF Specialist Advisor (SSA^™) designation.

In a competitive landscape, financial advisers are seeking opportunities to differentiate themselves and specialise in their careers.

Kaplan Professional has proudly partnered with the SMSF Association to provide advisers the chance to enhance their credentials and specialise in the rapidly expanding superannuation sector.

Click here to learn more.

Enhance your Financial Planning qualification with a College for Financial Planning designation

Kaplan Professional has partnered with the College for Financial Planning^® – a Kaplan US company – to offer three globally-recognised designations in Australia.

Accredited Behavioural Finance Professional^SM (ABFP^®)
Chartered Retirement Planning Counsellor^SM (CRPC^®)
Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional^SM(FPQP^®)

You can apply to earn these designations based on studies completed with Kaplan Professional, whether that be specific subjects or a full qualification.

Click here to learn more.

Kaplan Professional is proud to partner with the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA), enabling individuals to integrate our FAS-approved Master of Financial Planning with the CFP® Certification Program, a gold standard for financial planners for over 30 years.

This pathway requires individuals to successfully complete 10 core subjects and 1 elective subject from Kaplan Professional’s Master of Financial Planning. The final elective subject – CFP® certification unit – is completed with the FAAA.

Click here to find out more.

In a competitive landscape, financial advisers are seeking opportunities to differentiate themselves and specialise in their careers.

Kaplan Professional has proudly partnered with the SMSF Association to provide advisers the chance to enhance their credentials and specialise in the rapidly expanding superannuation sector.

Click here to learn more.

Kaplan Professional has partnered with the College for Financial Planning^® – a Kaplan US company – to offer three globally-recognised designations in Australia.

Accredited Behavioural Finance Professional^SM (ABFP^®)
Chartered Retirement Planning Counsellor^SM (CRPC^®)
Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional^SM(FPQP^®)

You can apply to earn these designations based on studies completed with Kaplan Professional, whether that be specific subjects or a full qualification.

Click here to learn more.

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 two years’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience, or
At least four 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 to pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning by enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning. Please visit the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning page and refer to the ‘Entry requirements’ tab. Alternatively, feel free to contact 1300 135 798 or studentadvice@kaplan.edu.au to discuss your options.

You may also 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.

Industry education requirements for financial advisers

We encourage you to book a phone consultation 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
FPC007B Client Engagement Skills

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 two years’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience, or
At least four 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 to pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning by enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning. Please visit the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning page and refer to the ‘Entry requirements’ tab. Alternatively, feel free to contact 1300 135 798 or studentadvice@kaplan.edu.au to discuss your options.

You may also 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.

We encourage you to book a phone consultation 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
FPC007B Client Engagement Skills

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

1 Check entry requirements

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

2 Submit your application

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

3 Apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL)

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

4 Enrol into subjects

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

5 Student Polices and Forms

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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.

1 Proactive and personalised support

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.

2 Practical and relevant learning rather than just academic theory

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.

3 Study any subject all year round over six study periods

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.

4 Complete flexibility – accessible 24/7

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.

5 Learn together and support each other

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.