Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning will demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and technical financial planning knowledge in the areas such as financial markets, investments, taxation, risk management, retirement and estate planning and behavioural finance.

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 (FAS) bridging courses into a program of study.

Griffith University offers a range of flexible delivery modes including on campus and online. Find out more about our Financial Planning programs.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subject in this degree can include:

• Ethics and Professionalism 

Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

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:

• gain 10 credit points for a core course and
• gain 30 credit points for listed and/or free-choice electives.
• Note: The Graduate Certificate is an exit point for Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning (4186) and Master of Financial Planning (5686).

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

Indicative total fee $16,250

The amount shown here is 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.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

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21

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 combination of alternative admission criteria such as formal, informal and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to either of the above
• ORbe an 'existing provider' as defined in the Professional Standards legislation.

Have a minimum of five years equivalent full-time professional work experience in a relevant field.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University policy for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Postgraduate Programs Admission Policy

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at University and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.