Financial planning courses

Financial planning study FAQs

• Why should you study financial planning?

  If you’re able to make people feel comfortable during challenging conversations, a financial planning course could be the career path for you. In addition to mathematics, data and listening skills, those who thrive in team settings or get a thrill out of helping others achieve their goals may find fulfilment in this corner of finance.

  You won’t be alone in joining the financial planning community. Labour Market Insights data indicates that the industry has grown strongly over the last 5 years and is expected to continue, with 68,800 financial planners and advisors likely to be employed by 2026.

  Already working full-time or otherwise committed? Take advantage of the flexibility and availability of online finance courses in Australia through Open Universities Australia. It’s hard to go back to the classroom after experiencing the freedom of studying your way. 

• How long does it take to become a financial planner?

  Generally, it takes 3 to 5 years to become a financial planner, depending on the pace at which you study.

  Aspiring financial planners must complete a 2-year advanced diploma or 3-year bachelor degree, as per Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) guidelines. You can choose from a range of degrees, as a general business course or accounting qualification both meet the Certified Financial Planner minimum criteria, provided you've listed financial planning as a major.

  Once you’re qualified, you'll be required to complete a year of professional experience under a licensed financial planner to meet ASIC requirements.

• How do I enrol?

  Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

  When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

  Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

  If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.

  You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.

• How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

  Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Chat with us to find out more.

• Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?

  There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

  • You can enrol without entry requirements 
    We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
  • You have total control over how you study
    Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
  • You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
    Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.
  • We’ll help you navigate the university world
    Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.

How we can help you

Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.