Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning

Upon completion of this Graduate Diploma program, 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.

Higher education

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, a student must:

• hold 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 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
• meet the definition of an 'existing provider' as detailed 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. 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.

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

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 uni and TAFE. 

• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 

• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies. 

For those new to financial planning including career changers or non-degree holders, the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning provides the foundation level of knowledge and skills required by modern financial advisors to start and progress their career. This includes the practice and theory of financial planning including financial markets, risk management and taxation.

For experienced advisers holding a related degree, the Graduate Diploma of 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.

You will graduate with a degree accredited under the new standards set out by FASEA.

Recommended Study Pattern

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

• Modularised Financial Planning Curriculum
• Ethics and Professionalism 
• Behavioural Finance and Wealth Management 
• Principles of Business and Corporations Law 

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 Diploma of Financial Planning (GDipFinPlan), a student must acquire 80 credit points as prescribed below:

• Pathway 1 (For those who are not an existing adviser):
  • gain 30 credit points for core courses;
  • gain 50 credit points for listed electives.
• Pathway 2 (Existing Adviser - No Degree):
  • gain 30 credit points for core courses;
  • gain 50 credit points for listed electives.
• Pathway 3 (Existing Adviser - Non-Relevant/Other Degree):
  • gain 30 credit points for core courses;
  • gain 50 credit points for listed electives.
• Pathway 4 (Existing Adviser - Relevant Degree/Related University Program):
  • gain 40 credit points for advanced standing;
  • gain 30 credit points for core courses;
  • gain 10 credit points for a listed elective.

Exit Points

To be eligible to exit the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning with the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning award, a student must acquire the 40 credit points from Pathway 1.