Master of Financial Planning

Graduates of the Master of Financial Planning will have:

1. Advanced theoretical and technical financial planning knowledge in the areas such as financial markets, investments, taxation, risk management, retirement and estate planning and behavioural finance.
2. Understanding of the principles and methods that underpin research within the financial planning field.
3. Sound understanding of ethical principles, standards and practices in the financial planning profession.

Griffith Credentials are earned and issued within this program

Advance your financial services career with a Master of Financial Planning. As demand grows for qualified and ethical financial advisers, this degree equips you with the advanced knowledge and practical skills to guide individuals and families through complex financial decisions. Covering investments, taxation, risk management and retirement planning, you'll be prepared to deliver evidence-based financial advice in an evolving regulatory environment.

Highlights of studying the Master of Financial Planning

• Develop expertise in investment strategies, financial markets, taxation, wealth planning and portfolio management.
• Explore behavioural finance to better understand client decision making.
• Learn the legal and ethical responsibilities of professional financial advisers.
• Apply financial planning principles to real client scenarios and integrated advice strategies.
• Graduate with a degree accredited under the standards set by the Financial Adviser Standards and Conduct Unit (FASCU).
• Eligible students may receive credit for approved recognised prior study and/or relevant professional experience, so you may gain a masters qualification in as little as 1 year of full-time study.

Ethical advice and long-term wealth strategies

Develop a comprehensive understanding of modern financial planning practice through specialised courses in investments, income tax law and personal risk management. Examine financial markets, asset allocation strategies and risk mitigation techniques while building the skills required to design effective financial plans.

This degree emphasises the ethical, behavioural and legal foundations of professional financial advice. You'll explore behavioural finance to understand how clients make financial decisions and learn strategies to support better long-term outcomes. You'll be prepared to guide clients through major life stages while ensuring wealth transfer, compliance and financial security are carefully managed.

Flexible pathways for career progression

The program includes a foundation component, enabling graduates from other disciplines to transition into financial planning. Professionals already working in financial services can also enter the program and progress directly to advanced study. Flexible online delivery allows you to balance study with professional commitments while building specialised expertise

Recommended study pattern

This program is offered full-time and part-time online in Trimester 1 and Trimester 2. It is only offered as part time online in Trimester 3.

Award requirements

For the award of Master of Financial Planning (MFinPlan), you must successfully Complete 120 credit points for one of the following:

• 80 credit points for all Pathway 1 - duration 1 year (80CP of study and 40CP for prior learning), or
• 120 credit points for all Pathway 2 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study), or
• 120 credit points for all Pathway 3 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study)

Exit points

To be eligible to exit with the 3322 - Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning award, you must successfully complete the 40 credit points of courses.

To exit, you should apply for a program transfer.

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

Indicative total fee $53,250

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.

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.

Learn more about Griffith University

Explore Griffith University courses

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

You can complete this program in 1 year or 1.5 years depending on your prior study and work experience

To be eligible for this program you must meet one of the following criteria:

1 year duration (80CP):

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related discipline and five years relevant work experience or hold the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) designation completed through coursework.

1.5 year duration (120CP) - Flexible entry:

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related discipline
• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) and hold the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) designation completed through coursework.

1.5 year duration (120CP) - Foundation entry:

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) and two years relevant work experience

Related discipline includes accounting, economics, financial planning, finance

Five year relevant work experience includes financial planner, adviser or paraplanner or meet the definition of an 'existing provider' as detailed in the Professional Standards legislation

Two year relevant work experience includes a position in financial services such as banking, superannuation, accounting, financial analyst, insurance

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 an overall score of 79 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19 (applies to tests taken prior to 21 January 2026)
• OR an overall score of 4 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with a minimum score of 4 in each of the listening, reading, and writing skills, and a minimum score of 3.5 in speaking skills (applies to tests taken on or after 21 January 2026)
• 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 Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50 (applies to tests taken prior to 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 55 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 47 (applies to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 70 in the LanguageCert Academic
• OR an overall score of 59 in the Michigan English Test (MET)

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 procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Admission Procedure

If you do not meet the University's specified English language requirements, you may wish to contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This Institute offers a number of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches.

• Griffith English Language Institute

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.