Bachelor of Business with a Major in Financial Planning

Taxation

Understand the major principles of tax planning issues and concepts.

Principles of Financial Planning

Examines the management of financial planning practices and develop a Statement of Advice based on the unique characteristics and requirements of clients.

Ethical Client Relationships

Learn about the fundamental ethical principles, the main ethical issues encountered, and the ethical behaviour support resources available, in professional financial planning services practice.

Investment Planning

Gain knowledge of the financial system, various regulatory bodies, key participants and potential risks in the financial markets.

Retirement & Estate Planning

Learn about retirement planning with a particular focus on the superannuation industry and estate planning.

Management of Personal Financial Risk

Gain understanding of the pervasive nature of pure risk on individual and society.

On successful completion of this Course students will be able to:

1. Define and integrate theoretical principles applicable to a business discipline and apply those principles in a range of practices.
2. Systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources in order to make informed judgements on options for innovatively solving a range of problems that arise in business contexts.
3. Formulate creative solutions that are fit for purpose and demonstrate cognisance of the impact of business decisions on the environment, economy and society.
4. Coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas.
5. Communicate a range of business arguments by evaluating and implementing alternative communication strategies as appropriate to the audience.
6. Build on and continuously develop the intellectual independence to be critical and reflective learners, cognisant of new technologies.
7. Work collaboratively in diverse groups.

With a degree in Financial Planning, you’ll become the trusted expert people turn to for important advice throughout their lives. By sharing your expertise, you’ll enable your clients to reach their financial goals and make a real difference by doing so.

Taught by experienced professionals, you’ll use the latest financial software and collaborate with your peers on a consulting project for a live client, meaning you’ll be able to step into the workplace with confidence.

This course meets the educational requirements of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA). It is approved by the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS), ensuring you’ll learn the skills necessary to enter the financial planning industry with confidence.

Recommended study pattern

A total of 24 units are taken to complete the Bachelor of Business with a major in Financial Planning, including seven core business units, the choice of one of two core business practice units, eight financial planning major units and eight electives.

Core Business Fundamentals units

• Learning and Communicating for Innovative Business Practice (COM10011)
• Contemporary Management Principles (MGT10001)
• Marketing and the Consumer Experience (MKT10009)
• Financial Information for Decision Making (ACC10007)
• Economics for Business Decision-Making (ECO10005)
• Business Digitalisation (INF10024)
• Business Consulting Project (BUS30032)

Business Practice units

You must complete one (1) of the following units:

• Planning for Career Success (CAR10001)
• Sustainable Business Practice (BUS30031)

Financial Planning Major units

• Principles of Financial Planning (FIN10003)
• Finance and Behavioural Bias (FIN20017)
• Ethics and Client Relationships (FIN20015)
• Investment and Financial Planning Project (FIN30017)
• Law of Commerce (LAW20019)
• Taxation (ACC30005)
• Personal Financial Risk and Estate Planning (FIN30022)
• Retirement Planning (FIN30023)

Elective options can be viewed on the Swinburne Online website.

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Business students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

• Eight [8] core units of study (100 credit points)
• Eight [8] units of study from the financial planning discipline major in one of the following: Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Financial Planning, Health Management and Communication, Human Resource Management, International Business, Information Systems, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Management, Marketing or Sports Management (Swinburne Online) (100 credit points)

OR sixteen units from the Accounting and Finance Professional Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning Professional major (200 credit points)

• Eight [8] units of Secondary studies (100 credit points) comprising of electives (NOTE: Students undertaking the Accounting and Finance Professional Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning Professional major will not need to undertake secondary studies).

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $50,976

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

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Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply.

Diploma entry pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and provides advanced standing to the second.

Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree but in most instances you may receive up to 8 unit credits.

Our Course Consultants will step you through the process of entry and credit using previous study.

2022 Guaranteed Entry ATAR: 60

Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.

VCE prerequisites:

Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in English (or equivalent) or 30 in English (EAL).

Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for credit.

Applicants who have completed a Diploma in a related discipline may be eligible for credit of up to 8 units; the equivalent of a third of the course. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for RPL.