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Kaplan Professional has partnered with the College for Financial Planning® – a Kaplan US company – to offer three globally-recognised designations in Australia. Over 50 years ago, the College for Financial Planning® introduced the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in the United States*, which is now the world’s most recognised financial planning credential. The College for Financial Planning® today is one of the largest and most respected worldwide providers of financial planning designations with 12 global certifications available and more than 100,000 designation holders worldwide. You can apply to earn these globally-endorsed designations based on your previous studies with Kaplan Professional, whether that be specific subjects or a full qualification.
* In 1969, the International Association for Financial Planners (IAFP) and the College for Financial Planning were created to help meet the financial needs of Americans. In 1985, the College entered an agreement to establish an independent, nonprofit certifying and standards-setting organisation. Ownership of the CFP® marks and responsibility for continuing the CFP® certification program was transferred to the new organisation, International Board of Standards and Practices for Certified Financial Planners, Inc. (IBCFP), now known as CFP Board.
Apply before 30 June 2024 to save 15% off the initial certification fee and be among the first in Australia to achieve one of these globally-recognised financial advice designations. Find out more.
Apply before 31 July 2024 to save 15% off the initial certification fee and be among the first in Australia to achieve one of these globally-recognised financial advice designations.
Showcase your hard-earned expertise and knowledge as a specialist in your field, enhancing your credibility and trust in the eyes of consumers. Bolster your credentials to complement your education, experience and any other designations you may have earned.
If you have already completed education as part of the Financial Adviser Standards, regardless if you qualify for the experience pathway or not, the three designations are designed to offer recognition and reward for your efforts.
As consumers actively seek financial advisers who are certified specialists in their particular field, these designations allow you to further differentiate yourself from your peers and other industry participants.
The ABFP® designation showcases technical proficiency and a thorough understanding of psychological theories of behavioural finance. Designed for mid-career and advanced career financial advisers, distinguish yourself from your peers with your capability to understand what drives the markets, and investors’ motivations and decision-making behaviours.
^ Equivalent historical Kaplan Professional subjects apply. Please click here for more information.
Mid-career and advanced career financial advisers and investment professionals (FAR registered) who can demonstrate foundational knowledge of behavioural finance history, portfolio construction principles, and best practices for integrating behavioural finance theories into real-life situations.
Showcase you hold the following specialist knowledge:
Equivalent historical Kaplan Professional subjects apply. Please click here for more information.
As financial advisers face an increasingly complex onslaught of retirement planning questions as aging baby boomers look for investments to meet their lifestyle needs in 10 years, 20 years and beyond, the (CRPC®) is for individuals who want to showcase their experience, knowledge and skills in delivering comprehensive retirement advice to clients. It is also suitable for those who want to grow their business in this in-demand and specialist area of financial advice.
Experienced financial advisers (FAR registered) who are focused on retirement planning for individuals, including pre-and post-retirement needs, asset management and estate planning.
The FPQP® is an ideal way for new and existing paraplanners to showcase their capabilities. It is also suitable for frontline employees and support staff to highlight their industry experience, and the foundational knowledge and skills they have gained throughout their career.
Am I eligible to apply for a College for Financial Planning® specialist designation?
Kaplan Professional financial planning courses and subjects have been mapped to College for Financial Planning® designation programs.
To be eligible for the CRPC® and ABFP® individuals must:
To be eligible for the FPQP® individuals must:
I have received RPL for a required subject/s for the designation, am I eligible to apply?
Individuals who have been awarded Advanced Standing or Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) for one (1) the of required subject/s for either the CRPC® and ABFP® designations may be eligible if they have also completed a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning and are registered on the FAR.
Apply now
Kaplan Professional financial planning courses and subjects have been mapped to the College for Financial Planning® designation programs. This also includes historical Kaplan Professional subjects completed between 2006 to 2019.
Please refer to the equivalency table below.
How do I apply for a College for Financial Planning® specialist designation?
Complete the application form on this page and one of our RPL assessment team members will review your eligibility. This process can take up to 10 working days. Once the application has been assessed, you will receive an email detailing next steps.
Individuals applying for the ABFP® or CRPC® designations will need to provide the following information:
Individuals who have been awarded Advanced Standing or Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) for one (1) of the required subject/s for either the ABFP® or CRPC® designations may be eligible if they have also completed a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning and are registered on the FAR.
Individuals applying for the FPQP® Designation will need to provide the following their Student ID.
I am interested in becoming a College for Financial Planning® designation holder and need some support.
If you are considering becoming a College for Financial Planning® designation holder and have not yet applied, but have questions or need support, please get in touch in one of the following ways:
I am a College for Financial Planning® designation holder and I need some support.
Kaplan Professional will provide any support or assistance required by an Australian College for Financial Planning® designation holder. If you have a question or need support, please contact us your preferred way:
What are the fees and charges to become a College for Financial Planning® designation holder?
In addition to the tuition fees with associated course/subjects you are required to complete, the following fees apply:
Kaplan Professional in partnership with the College for Financial Planning® has developed a marketing toolkit for designation holders to help support and guide communications and awareness about the credential(s) earned, and what that means to their clients and peers.
Full renewal details coming soon.
Designation holders who have complied with the designation rules, completed all required continuing professional development, and paid the certification renewal fee will be granted an extension to their license to use the designation for a further 24-month period. Designees will be notified by email when due they are to renew.
Paraplanning courses FAQs
Financial planning courses FAQs
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The College for Financial Planning® designation marks may only be used by individuals specifically authorised by Kaplan Professional and the College for Financial Planning®. Use of the specialist designation marks denotes professionals who have successfully completed the program’s requirements and are currently complying with the Standards of Professional Conduct and ongoing renewal requirements. As the owner of these marks, the College for Financial Planning® has the legal responsibility to ensure they are protected and used only by those who have received written authorisation to use them.Please refer to the College for Financial Planning® Professional Designation Marks Usage Guidelines for instructions on how you may use the certification marks you have earned.
On successfully completing the application process for a College for Financial Planning® designation through Kaplan Professional, you will receive a confirmation email from Credly’s digital badge platform with instructions on how to set up your account, then claim and share your digital badge. Learn more about digital badges here.
Showcase your commitment to professional growth by featuring your specialist designation as part of your professional profile. You can achieve this across social media, within your client communications (email, newsletter and website) and also through your organisation where relevant and applicable.
Consider including:
Social media handles:
LinkedInKaplan-professional-australia college-for-financial-planning/
Facebook KaplanProfessional CollegeFFPX (formally Twitter) KPAustralia
Instagram Kaplan_Professional
We have provided some suggested announcements that you can copy and amend to suit your personal profile.
Featuring your specialisation across social media platforms such as LinkedIn, informs your personal network and could help attract new clients. Before promoting your designation(s) on social media, ensure compliance with the platforms’ respective terms.
When spreading the word about your specialist designation, it is not just about posting to social media. We encourage you to share what skills you have gained in order to obtain your specialist designation.
If you work with or for an organisation, they may be willing to share your achievement through their regular communication channels internally and externally. This could include email, social media and their website.
Sharing a testimonial, whether written or in video format, is another effective way to promote a recently obtained professional specialist designation. It allows you to communicate with potential clients about the significance of the expertise you have gained for your financial advice career. Kaplan Professional features testimonials from students across our website and social media platforms. If you would like to share your success story, please email marketing@kaplan.edu.au.
Kaplan Professional has partnered with the College for Financial Planning® – a Kaplan US company – to offer three globally-recognised designations in Australia.
Over 50 years ago, the College for Financial Planning® introduced the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in the United States*, which is now the world’s most recognised financial planning credential. The College for Financial Planning® today is one of the largest and most respected worldwide providers of financial planning designations with 12 global certifications available and more than 100,000 designation holders worldwide.
You can apply to earn these globally-endorsed designations based on your previous studies with Kaplan Professional, whether that be specific subjects or a full qualification.
Limited Introductory Offer
Apply before 31 July 2024 to save 15% off the initial certification fee.