Degree details

If you are new to financial planning, are a career changer or you do not hold a bachelor degree (or equivalent), the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning provides the foundation level of knowledge and skills required by modern financial advisors to start and progress their career. You will study the foundational theory and practice of financial planning including financial markets, risk management and taxation. Griffith's Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning will offer formal recognition of your career success to date. Plus, you can use it as a direct pathway into our online Master of Financial Planning.

For experienced advisers holding a related degree, the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning provides an opportunity to meet the new regulatory requirements and advance knowledge in areas such as finance, leadership, consumer behaviour and more. A choice of electives is packaged with the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) bridging courses into a program of study.

Career opportunities exist in the financial services industry (namely, banks, funds management and financial planning companies) in various roles including client services officers, business development, client administration officers, and trainee para-planners.

Professional recognition

Graduates will be eligible for membership with the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Australia, membership with the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and membership with the Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) Association.

Higher education

Any Bachelor degree (or higher) from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 point scale)
OR
have a minimum of five years equivalent full-time professional work experience in a relevant field
OR
have a combination of alternative admission criteria such as formal, informal and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to either of the above
OR
be an 'existing provider' as defined in the Professional Standards legislation.

English Proficiency Requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English.

On campus requirements

At Griffith, our financial planning degrees are designed for flexibility so you can balance study with your current job, family commitments and social life. You can study full-time or part-time, at Nathan campus or online. With our accelerated online degrees, you can study part-time and still fast-track your Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning. Each course runs for six weeks so you can focus on one at a time. With six intakes every year, you can start virtually whenever you're ready.

Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. For more information, please visit the following website:

• Credit transfer

Recommended Study Pattern

4 teaching periods part-time.

Award Requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning (GCertFinPlan), a student must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:

  • Pathway 1:
    • gain 40 credit points for core courses.
  • Pathway 2:
    • gain 10 credit points for a core course and
    • gain 30 credit points for listed and/or free-choice electives.