Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning)

Careers to consider include:

• Qualified financial planner or financial adviser:

Help clients meet their 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.

• Investment 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 the 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.

• 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.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning) is approved by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) and will equip you with the essential educational requirements to practice as a financial planner under new Australian regulations.

Graduates will also meet the relevant RG146 compliance requirement of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and be eligible for membership of the Financial Planning Association of Australia’s Certified Financial Planner® Certification Program.

Higher education

This UniSA Online degree is currently available for Commonwealth supported students.

Applicants are required to fulfil at least one of the following requirements with a competitive result and meet any other academic requirements for the program:

• successfully completed equivalent to a minimum of half a year of full-time study of a higher education program at a recognised higher education provider
• completed an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV level or above
• passed a UniSA Online literacy and numeracy test and have relevant work experience
• completed a secondary education qualification equivalent to SACE, such as an interstate year 12 or international qualification
• completed a UniSA Foundation Studies Program or equivalent
• qualified for Special Entry

Students who do not meet these criteria can start studying now by enrolling in the subjects below. Students will be eligible to apply upon successful completion of four subjects and all subjects will be credited towards the degree.

• BUSS1066 Career Development in Business
• MARK1018 Marketing Principles: Trading and Exchange
• BANK1010 Personal Finance
• MATH1075 Quantitative Methods for Business

UniSA Online offers four start dates throughout the year so you can apply as soon as you’re ready. As part of your application, UniSA Online will share information about the next available study period for this program.

If you have previous work experience, or have studied before, you could fast-track your studies by reducing the time it takes to complete your degree.

UniSA Online's Financial Planning degree is approved by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) and will equip you with the essential educational requirements to practice as a financial planner under new Australian regulations.

From superannuation and tax to estate planning and risk management, this degree prepares you to navigate the complex financial planning landscape and will help you develop critical skills to work with a range of clients with short and long-term financial goals.

As one of the leading providers of accounting and finance education in Australia, you can be confident you’re gaining a high-quality university degree that equips you with in-demand knowledge and skills the financial planning industry is telling us they need.

Graduates will also meet the relevant RG146 compliance requirement of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and be eligible for membership of the Financial Planning Association of Australia’s Certified Financial Planner® Certification Program.

Recommended Study Pattern

Please note: The program structure is subject to change at any time. (Information correct as at March 2023)

First year

• Quantitative Methods for Business (MATH 1075)
• Accounting for Business (ACCT 1011)
• Personal Finance (BANK 1010)
• Career Development in Business (BUSS 1066)
• Business and Society (BUSS 1067)
• Business Law (LAWS 1019)
• Principles of Economics (ECON 1010)
• Elective

Second year

• Financial Markets and Institutions (BANK 1009)
• Introduction to Financial Planning (BANK 2011)
• Marketing Principles: Trading and Exchange (MARK 1018)
• Management and Organisation (BUSS 2081)
• Macroeconomics (ECON 1011)
• Business Intelligence (INFS 2038)
• Companies and Partnership Law (COML 2020)
• International Business Environments (BUSS 3107)

Third year

• Entrepreneurship for Social and Market Impact (BUSS 2086)
• Portfolio and Fund Management (BANK 3017)
• Taxation Law 1 (ACCT 3016)
• Superannuation (BANK 3019)
• Risk Management and Insurance (BANK 3018)
• Strategic Management (BUSS 3097) or Strategic Financial Analysis (BUSS 3098)
• Applied Financial Planning (BANK 3015)
• Estate Planning (BANK 3016)

Award Requirements

Students must complete 24 subjects, this includes 1 elective.