Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning

Graduates will be qualified to become financial planners with the capacity to reflect on experiences and interpret complex information and practices through research and inquiry.

The Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning is designed for financial planners who provide a range of standard financial planning services and individuals providing specialist para-planning services. It provides a range of skills and knowledge associated with providing compliant financial advice to a range of clients across different types of financial products. Work functions in the occupational areas where this qualification may be used are subject to regulatory requirements.

Professional recognition

Accreditation with Financial Planners Association of Australia for recognition as approved Certified Financial Planner certification

Career objectives

The Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning is designed for financial planners who provide a range of standard financial planning services and individuals providing specialist para-planning services. It provides a range of skills and knowledge associated with providing compliant financial advice to a range of clients across different types of financial products.

Higher education

Students may apply based on previous higher education study:

• Completed Bachelor degree
• Completed Graduate Certificate in Business studies (or equivalent)

Work and Life

Students may apply based on qualifications, relevant work experience or other special circumstances, as approved by the Executive Dean or delegated authority.

English Proficiency Requirements

International students must provide one of the following:

• UTASAccess Level 7 with a minimum overall score of 65% and no individual skill below 60%; or
• an IELTS score with an overall Band of 6.5 and no band less than 6; or
• a TOEFL (iBT) overall score of 88 (no individual skill must be lower than: Reading 16; Listening 16; Speaking 18; and, Writing 22) or
• a PTE Academic overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50; or
• provide evidence that you have studied for 2 years full-time with English as the sole medium of instruction and examination.

These tests must not be more than 24 months old.

The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here

The aim of this degree is to provide a sound understanding of the process of financial planning, together with some of the fundamental skills and knowledge that are required. In line with these objectives, each of the recognised steps in the financial planning process that have been developed by financial planners will be examined in detail, namely: gathering qualitative and quantitative data; identifying goals; identifying financial problems including: setting priorities, deciding on trade offs and considering opportunity costs; preparing or interpreting written recommendations; implementing agreed-upon plans; and, reviewing, revising and maintaining personal financial plans.

The key areas that are important for the financial planning process are examined, namely: the regulatory framework, investments, managed funds, superannuation, home ownership, risk management and insurance, taxation, consumer credit, social security, and estate planning. The role of institutional culture and organisational systems impacting on ethical practice and the need and opportunity to professionalise financial advice will be examined. Learning and teaching in this degree focus on the key areas of financial planning theory, process, strategies and practice. The degree takes a structured, scaffolded approach (over two semesters) to its curriculum, where knowledge, skills and graduate attributes are built over time through an integrated and complementary set of financial planning units.

The degree is based around a dynamic, real world learning approach to student centred education, where students take responsibility for their own learning. Blended learning, as the central teaching and learning philosophy, forms the basis of the learning experience, where the class – whether online or face to face – is a space for in-depth, theory-practice discussion with peers, academic staff and financial planning professionals. The degree is designed to develop students’ knowledge and skills to apply financial planning philosophy and theory to analyse, evaluate and develop solutions and strategies to financial planning problems through authentic, problem-based learning.

The Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning is designed for financial planners who provide a range of standard financial planning services and individuals providing specialist para-planning services. It provides a range of skills and knowledge associated with providing compliant financial advice to a range of clients across different types of financial products. Graduates will have the capacity to reflect on experiences, and interpret complex information and practices through research and inquiry. Work functions in the occupational areas where this qualification may be used are subject to regulatory requirements.

Recommended Study Pattern

Students are recommended to follow the below structure of subjects as outlined.

First year

• Semester 1
  • BFA508
  • BFA509
• Semester 2
  • BFA514
  • BFA515

Second year

• Semester 1
  • BFA607
  • BFA608
• Semester 2
  • BFA609
  • BFA610

Award Requirements

To be awarded with the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning students must complete the eight required subjects.