Bachelor of Business with a Major in Financial Planning
Undergraduate
SWI-BFP-DEG 2025Change more than your clients’ money habits—change their lives
Work with clients to secure their financial futures. Under the guidance of experienced professionals, you’ll study taxation, retirement planning, and personal financial risk. Gain valuable industry connections and launch your career with confidence.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Business with a Major in Financial Planning
About this degree
Taxation
Understand the major principles of tax planning issues and concepts.
Principles of Financial Planning
Examine the management of financial planning practices and develop Statement of Advice based on unique characteristics and client requirements.
Ethical Client Relationships
Learn fundamental ethical principles. Main ethical issues encountered, and ethical behaviour support resources available in professional financial planning services practice.
Investment & Financial Planning Project
Understand the financial system, various regulatory bodies, key participants and potential risks in the financial markets.
Retirement Planning
Learn about retirement planning with a focus on the superannuation industry.
Personal Financial Risk & Estate Planning
Gain a deep understanding of the pervasive nature of pure risk on individuals and society.
On successful completion of this Course students will be able to:
- Become a trusted advisor through every financial decision
- Gain hands-on experience using industry-leading financial software
- Master key financial skills like tax planning, investments, and risk management
- Learn from industry experts and work on real client consulting project
As a financial planner, you’ll advise people on life’s biggest financial decisions — from investment choices to superannuation, and retirement planning. This degree gives you the skills to guide clients toward their financial goals while making a real difference in their lives.
Swinburne is one of Australia’s leaders in business education. Which means you’ll learn from industry professionals, gain hands-on experience with the latest financial software, and collaborate on a real-world consulting project with a live client.
With an ASIC-approved qualification, you’ll be on the path to becoming a licensed financial advisor, ready to step into the workforce with confidence.
- This is an Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) approved course.
- Graduates are eligible for entry into the Financial Planning Association of Australia’s CFP (Certified Financial Planner) certified program.
Secure your future with the right degree for a changing world.
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 first year fee
$16,992
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.
Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.
Learn more about Swinburne.
Explore Swinburne courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
How to apply
Swinburne University of Technology manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Swinburne University of Technology who will contact you to discuss this degree.
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Entry requirements
If you’re applying to Swinburne but haven’t completed Year 12, don’t worry! You can still apply if you have:
- Completed or partially completed an approved tertiary qualification (like a diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, or degree).
- Relevant work experience and English language skills, or a STAT result (Special Tertiary Admissions Test), may also be considered.
- All students need to demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.
Diploma entry pathways
Some students start their journey with a Diploma, which can help them progress to a degree.
- Pathways allow you to move from one qualification to another.
- You could receive credit, depending on your chosen major. Our course consultants can help guide you through your pathway options.
If you have completed Year 12 (the Victorian Certificate of Education – VCE, or an equivalent qualification from interstate or internationally), you can apply based on that.
- Minimum ATAR requirements may apply for some courses.
If you’ve already studied you may be able to get advanced standing (credit transfer).
- Case-by-case assessment: Every applicant is assessed individually.
- If you’ve completed a Diploma in a related field, you may be eligible for credit.
- Previous tertiary studies: If your past studies meet part of the academic requirements for the course, you may get credit.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) lets you gain credit based on skills and knowledge from your work experience, life experience, or formal training.
- Like credit transfer, this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
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.
Career opportunities
Accountant
Help clients from businesses to individuals manage their finances. Provide expert advice on financial reporting, forecasting, and analysis.
Financial Planner
Guide individuals and organisations through their financial goals. Provide expert advice on investments as well as retirement planning, superannuation and other key financial aspects of people’s lives.
Financial Adviser
Help individuals reach their financial goals with tailored advice. User expert knowledge to develop plans for investments as well as savings, budget, insurance, and tax strategies.
Business Analyst
Using data analytics to assess processes, you’ll determine requirements and deliver data-driven recommendations and reports to key stakeholders. Lead the development of financial strategies and ensure accurate reporting.
Paraplanner
Work with financial planners to prepare documents and data for clients. Use financial management software such as Xplan, to keep track and play an important role in the financial planning process.
Commercial Analyst
Work within a companies finance team and prepare budgets, forecasts, and use financial data to guide decision making.
Business Development Manager
Your role is all about the future – new customers, new markets, new products and new processes. You’ll plan and strategise development, helping your company to reach their business goals.
Professional recognition
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
Swinburne business degrees are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, and are a part of the five per cent of business schools worldwide accredited by AACSB. The alumni of AACSB accredited business schools are among the world’s most influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs impacting business, government, and non-profit sectors.
Financial Adviser Standards (FAS)
From January 2022, the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS), which forms part of the Treasury Department of the Australian Government, sets the education and training standards and the Code of Ethics for licensed financial advisers in Australia. Prior to FAS, this was managed by the Financial Advisers Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA).
FAS has approved Swinburne Online’s undergraduate and post graduate courses in Financial Planning. This includes the Bachelor of Business – Financial Planning and the Bachelor of Business – Accounting and Financial Planning. It also includes the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning.
Graduates of a FAS approved Swinburne course will satisfy the education standards and requirements prescribed by FAS to provide financial advice in Australia.
Financial Planning Australia's CFP Certified Program
Graduates are eligible for entry into the Financial Planning Association of Australia’s CFP (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER) certified program. Students who hold a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning from Swinburne Online will receive recognised prior learning for CFP1 – 4, and will only need to complete the CFP Capstone unit to become a CFP.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Finance Managers | Over $120K | Up 24.7% |
Financial Brokers | Over $120K | Up 47.5% |
Financial Dealers | Over $120K | Up 4.8% |
Financial Investment Advisers and Managers | Over $120K | Up 25.4% |