Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning

This program is approved by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) and will equip you with the education requirements to practice as a qualified financial adviser.

We’ve worked closely with industry to develop our course content, and regularly consult with FASEA to ensure your Graduate Diploma meets the most up-to-date industry standards.

Our Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning is best suited to:

existing financial advisers with a non-relevant degree;

or existing financial advisers with no degree;

or new entrants with a relevant degree.* If you have a relevant degree, you may also be eligible to apply for credit, which means you could potentially finish your degree sooner, saving you both time and money.

What is a financial adviser?

Financial advisers assist clients to build and manage their personal wealth, tax, financial risk and spending over their lifetimes.

They consider a number of factors such as current wealth, income and lifestyle aspirations, and develop plans so their clients can reach short and long-term financial goals.

With a strong practical focus and access to state-of-the-art technology, you will further your skills in preparing detailed financial plans and documentation which meet legal and regulatory requirements.

*Definitions:

Existing financial adviser:

Any person who was ‘current’ on the ASIC’s Financial Advisers Register, or who provided personal advice in a foreign country to retail clients in relation to relevant financial products at any time between 1 January 2016 and 1 January 2019 (and was not prohibited from providing advice on 1 January 2019).

New entrant:

Any person who does not meet the above definition of an existing adviser.

Relevant degree:

An AQF 7,8 or 9 qualification that contains at least 8 courses in one or more of the designated fields of study (and in any combination) – financial planning, accounting, taxation law, finance law, finance, business law, investments, estate law, banking, and economics.

Non-relevant degree:

An AQF 7,8 or 9 qualification in any other different field of study to the areas listed above.

Approved degree:

A degree that is listed in the Corporations (Relevant Providers Degrees, Qualifications and Courses Standard) Determination 2018 – a FASEA-approved AQF 7, 8 (Graduate Diploma) or 9 qualification.

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have one of the following: A completed bachelor degree in an accounting, finance, economics or financial planning discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent; or A completed graduate certificate or higher postgraduate qualification in an accounting, finance, economics or financial planning discipline from a recognised higher education institution; or A completed diploma or advanced diploma in financial planning and two years relevant professional experience.

This program consists of eight advanced financial planning courses, which you can complete in one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) based on FASEA requirements for existing advisers will be considered and can reduce the number of courses you must complete.

Your qualification will complement your industry experience and advance your knowledge in specialist areas such as investment management, estate planning, superannuation, and tax.

You can study compulsory bridging courses that have been outlined in FASEA’s education requirements including Ethics and Professionalism, Financial Advice Regulatory and Legal Obligations, and Behavioural Finance Client and Consumer Behaviour*. As a graduate, you can be confident you’ll leave with the essential education requirements to practice as a qualified financial adviser.

If you’re an experienced adviser, your Graduate Diploma is an opportunity to sharpen your technical ability, legal knowledge and professional expertise. Aside from learning new and relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice, you’ll also enhance your skills in building and managing client relationships – a critical focus area for future financial advisers.

Throughout your studies, you’ll gain contemporary career planning strategies and techniques to boost your employability and achieve your career goals. You’ll also have opportunities to network and connect with leading industry bodies such as the Financial Planners Association (FPA) and the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA), as well as other industry professionals.

Note: Single courses are also available for existing financial advisers who only wish to complete one or more bridging courses to meet FASEA requirements.

*Behavioural Finance Client and Consumer Behaviour is only available to study online.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Course assessment will comprise a mix of assignments, presentations and examinations.

In addition to learning from teachers with professional experience and research expertise as part of your degree, we offer opportunities for you to connect with experts beyond your studies.

Our applied finance, accounting and economics researchers provide multi-disciplinary insights into the dynamics of domestic and global economies and financial systems. Links to UniSA research ensures your learning is connected to the latest technologies, theories and applications of finance knowledge.

We also host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Your career

In addition to new education standards, FASEA has outlined new professional requirements. This includes completing a professional year (for new entrants only), passing a national exam, undertaking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and completing a code of ethics course.

As the No.1 university in South Australia for Postgraduate Teaching Quality1, our quality teaching and learning experiences will ensure you graduate ready to succeed.

The financial services industry is one of the leading sectors in the Australian economy and plays a key role in facilitating the productive flow of funds between industries, companies and people.

If you’re an existing financial adviser, your qualification opens up many more opportunities in your business and career.

If you’re looking to make a career change, there are a range of roles you could pursue in diverse businesses. There are opportunities in financial institutions, investment banks, superannuation and insurance funds, financial advisory firms – or you could choose to be self-employed and set up your own practice. Financial advisers can also specialise in a number of areas, such as tax planning, risk management or retirement planning.

Careers to consider include:

• Client relationship manager: proactively engage clients by providing high value, holistic and strategic financial advice; identify opportunities to build new client relationships and strengthen existing ones; research the latest products and regulations; and focus on delivering a high-quality customer experience.
• Estate planner: provide clients with legal, financial and accounting advice to ensure long term financial protection of their estate during life and post-mortem; help ensure any assets are dispersed according to the wishes of the deceased in an effective way; and develop estate plans which may include preparing wills, life insurance, family trusts and manage tax implications for beneficiaries.
• Insurance broker: research and review available finance and insurance products to meet client requirements; arrange insurance, home loan mortgages and other types of finance for clients through banks, lenders, financiers and insurance companies; help clients understand insurance policy conditions, risks, premium rates and benefits; prepare reports for underwriters and liaise with other insurance professionals.
• Investment adviser or manager: develop financial plans and investment strategies for individuals and organisations; monitor investment performance and review investment plans based on needs and changes in the market; buy and sell stocks and bonds for clients; and provide advice on tax implications, securities, insurance cover, pension plans and real estate.
• Qualified financial adviser or financial planner: help clients to meet short-term and long-term financial goals; assist with legal and financial documents, financial laws and regulatory requirements; provide advice on personal investments and security planning, estate planning, tax planning, employee benefits planning and insurance planning; and deliver a high-quality customer experience.
• Superannuation consultant: provide compliant financial advice in areas such as personal and business superannuation, retirement income stream products, pensions rollovers and annuities; interpret new legislation changes and consider the impact of those changes on the portfolio of funds, help clients understand merits of Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF), and develop retirement plan strategies.
• Wealth manager: deliver holistic wealth management strategies and plans to help clients grow and sustain long-term financial goals; provide services across a range of areas including financial planning, investment management, and financial advice on pensions, trusts, inheritances, estate planning, retirement planning, and tax bands; and possess knowledge of software solutions and key platforms in the industry.

1ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2018-2019. Public SA-founded universities only.

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and areas that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

The Business Student Hub is a convenient, central support service for business students, from first year through to graduation. The team provides expert advice on study options, elective choices and any academic difficulties. It also helps with referrals to support services across the University. The Business Student Hub is there to facilitate your life at university, so you get the most out of your UniSA experience.

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We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.