Paraplanning Courses

Paraplanners are professionals who work in the financial services industry under the guidance of financial advisers. Paraplanners provide valuable support to advisers by undertaking a range of tasks. This enables advisers to focus on their role, delivering quality advice and support to their clients. Depending on a paraplanner’s role and the practice they work in, they can have a variety of technical and administrative responsibilities. This can range from simple document preparation through to more holistic adviser and client support tasks.

Common responsibilities of a paraplanner may include, but aren’t limited to:

• Undertaking client, strategy, market and product research
• Preparation of advice documents, reports and statements
• Establishing and maintaining client records
• Administrative duties, such as client appointment scheduling

By contributing to the achievement of financial well-being and the protection of Australians through quality and ethical advice, paraplanning is a rewarding career. It can even be a logical step towards a career as a financial adviser.

Although paraplanners and financial advisers work closely together, they both have different roles and responsibilities.

For financial advisers to practise, they must meet legal, regulatory and ethical obligations. This includes mandated education levels and licensing and registration requirements. Financial advisers must understand and follow all aspects of the financial advice process. This can range from skilled client engagement, fact finding, strategy, and advice development and presentation, in addition to providing ongoing client advice and service. Financial advisers are legally responsible for the advice provided to clients. This also includes when a paraplanner assists in preparing advice or engaging with clients.

Paraplanners work under the guidance of financial advisers. They support advisers by providing advice that meet a client’s goals and best interests, while delivering quality client service. By understanding financial advice, generally through studies and experience working in a financial planning practice, paraplanners can carry out a range of responsibilities. A paraplanner’s main focus is to create a range of advice documents. However, depending on their role, the practice they work in, and their level of technical expertise and experience, they may also engage with clients directly. This may include fact finding, organising appointments, extensive strategy, market/product research and analysis, generating alternative strategies, and preparing advice documents for financial advisers. By having a skilled and knowledgeable paraplanner to undertake these tasks, financial advisers can significantly leverage their time and productivity.

For further information, you may find our financial planning FAQs helpful.

There are currently no minimum education requirements to become a paraplanner in Australia. The FNS60920 Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning is the first course dedicated exclusively to paraplanning. This course formally recognises the need and importance of this professional role, while setting a new education benchmark for both employers and employees.

Completing FNS60920 Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning will support you to gain the relevant skills and knowledge required to work as a paraplanner. This will enable you to undertake a range of paraplanning responsibilities and work effectively with financial advisers in the delivery of quality, ethical financial advice and client service.

If you’re just beginning your career in financial services, you may wish to consider working in an administrative role or as a junior paraplanner. This can help you gain relevant practical skills and experience towards progressing into a dedicated or more senior paraplanning role.

The FNS60920 Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning provides formal recognition of the highly skilled and valuable role of the paraplanner. This course provides a comprehensive range of financial planning services across a range of product environments, involving complex issues requiring innovative strategies. It combines specialist knowledge and practical skills in preparing financial plans for retail clients across three practice areas: Life Insurance, Managed Investments, and Superannuation.

This course has 12 units of competency: nine (9) core units and three (3) electives and is designed for individuals wishing to commence or further their career as a paraplanner.

There are no educational entry requirements to enrol directly into the FNS60920 Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning. However, individuals are required to be 18 years or older to enrol with Kaplan Professional. Additionally, individuals who are in Australia on a student visa are unable to enrol in this subject. If you are in Australia on a visa and wish to enrol, you need to check that you are enrolling in accordance with the study conditions of your visa.

It may also assist you in understanding the terminology and concepts in the coursework if you have work experience, or a foundational understanding of the financial services industry. For individuals who are new to the financial services industry and do not have this experience or understanding, Kaplan Professional provides an optional introductory subject IFP: Introduction to finance principles.

Completing the FNS60920 Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning course will help you stand out to employers who are seeking a qualified and committed paraplanner. Paraplanning is a rewarding career because as you gain experience, potential career opportunities may include progressing to become a senior paraplanner or even a financial adviser. To become an adviser, you’ll need to meet mandated education requirements.

For further information, you may find our financial planning FAQs helpful.

Our experienced and knowledgeable Course Advice team is available to answer all your questions, whether they’re about our qualifications, completion pathways or just general study advice.