Master of Financial Planning

Be part of the fast-growing Australian financial planning industry with our Master of Financial Planning.

Designed for both new and already practising financial planners, you’ll gain up-to-date knowledge and skills needed to provide tailored, professional financial advice while navigating complex financial matters You’ll use the latest financial planning software for wealth management and financial planning (XPLAN), engage with industry through site visits, annual roadshows and guest speakers.

You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake a research project to gain a deeper understanding of financial planning issues.

This course is accredited by the Financial Planning Education Council (FPEC).

Students are eligible to apply for membership to the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and for entry into the FPA CFP® Certification Program.

This Master program is approved by the Financial Advisers Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA).

FASEA was established in 2017 by the Australian government to set the standards of licensed financial advisers in Australia.

A FASEA approved degree is mandatory in order to practice as a financial planner or advisor in Australia.

This Master of Financial Planning offers participants the opportunity to specialise in Financial Planning for professional recognition. A career in Financial Planning is about helping clients to manage their risks, grow their wealth and plan for their retirements that requires gaining substantial knowledge in fields of investment, insurance, taxation, superannuation and estate planning. This course also introduces students to the regulations and ethical principles that are required for a successful career in this industry. The course builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma. It further develops the analytical and creative skills necessary when dealing with Financial Planning issues within planning and decision-making

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

Students must complete 11 core units listed below ACC60008 Accounting Systems and Reporting ACC80012 Taxation Principles and Planning ECO80001 Economics FIN60007 Elements of Financial Planning Elements of Financial Planning and Regulation (FIN60010) FIN60008 Investment and Behavioural Finance FIN60011 Behavioural Finance and Investment FIN60009 Ethics, Regulation and Client Management Ethics and Client Management (FIN60012) FIN80005 Corporate Financial Management FIN80022 Insurance and Estate Planning FIN80023 Superannuation and Retirement Planning FIN80025 Financial Advice Technology Project 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 *Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.

• 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)

• 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.

The Swinburne graduate attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:

• capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas and an ability to engage in critical enquiry
• entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
• effective and ethical in work, community situations and reasoning skills
• adaptable and able to manage change, and
• aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. socio-cultural, economic and natural).