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FNS50804 - Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)

The Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) is a nationally accredited and recognised qualification which provides an introduction to the fundamentals of financial planning. The qualification is designed to give you the competencies needed to get started as a financial planner. On completion of the qualification you will have the practical knowledge and skills to provide advice across a range of financial advice knowledge areas in accordance with ASIC RG146 regulations.

This page contains: Who Should Enrol Qualification Overview  Recognition & Exemptions Fees (PDF) Study Information

Who should enrol

This qualification is ideal for:

• Those looking to enter the industry in a financial planning role.
• Current professionals seeking ASIC RG146 compliance
• Para-planners
• Students wanting to progress through to the Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) 
• People with a personal interest in financial planning or personal finance

What would I achieve upon completion?

Upon successful completion of this qualification, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate fundamental knowledge required for working in the financial services
• Understand how to evaluate investment options in Australia
• Design recommendations on insurance policies
• Understand and have the competency to strategically plan superannuation and retirement.

In addition, Kaplan Professional’s Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) subjects are listed on the ASIC Training Register as meeting the requirements for RG146.  Once awarded the Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) you will attain RG146 accreditation in the following knowledge areas:

• Generic Knowledge
• Financial Planning
• Insurance (General and Life)
• Managed Investments
• Securities
• Derivatives
• Superannuation
• Skills

Employability Skills

Employability Skills are embedded in training and assessment. Information on the Employability Skills relevant to your qualification can be obtained by visiting http://employabilityskills.training.com.au and keying in the national code for the qualification (FNS50804).

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for entry into or progression through this qualification, however it is recommended that Foundations of Financial Planning is completed first.

Qualification Overview

The qualification comprises four subjects, each with various modules.

The table below represents the recommended and common completion path if you wish to gain the full qualification. Your objectives and RG 146 requirements may require you to complete the qualification in a different order. View enrolment options for more information.

*The skills requirement is incorporated into this subject. If you did not begin your Diploma studies with Foundations of Financial Planning and wish to exit the Diploma after one subject with a Statement of Attainment, a separate Workplace Skills Assessment must be completed.

Enrolment Options

At Kaplan, we understand that study needs vary for each individual. That is why we provide you with flexible enrolment and delivery options to help you achieve your study goals.

1. Full qualification enrolment: Pay upfront for the full qualification and save over 10% off the standard self-study enrolment fee. Choose between:

   Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning); OR Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) & Margin Lending and Geared Investments

   
   
2. Single subject enrolment: This option is also ideal if you can’t afford to pay the full qualification fee upfront or if you need to fill a knowledge gap, meet RG 146 requirements or refresh your knowledge in a particular area.
   
   
3. Upgrade to the full qualification (for current Kaplan students only): Upgrade to the full qualification at any time. Upgrade fees will be calculated per subject remaining based on the applicable full qualification rate.  Note: Students who have enrolled in/completed greater than two subjects are not eligible to upgrade to the full qualification and must pay single subject rates for remaining subjects.

 Click here for more information on fees.

Note: Your AFSL may have pre-arranged pricing with Kaplan so please speak to us before enrolling.

Delivery

This qualification is delivered via self-study with optional workshops available to those who prefer a more structured face-to-face learning environment. 

All students also have access to an online student portal for the duration of their studies.

• Self-study: Delivered via distance education, all subjects are self-contained with all the materials and resources needed to complete the subject easily by self-study. Subjects can be commenced in the self-study mode at any time.
• Optional workshops: This involves a period of essential pre-study followed by three days of workshops. Study periods are flexible with workshops being run continuously throughout the year. Pre-study of subject notes is essential prior to workshops. If you are completing the subject by workshop, you may sit your exam on the morning of the fourth day or at a later arranged time.
• Assignment Preparation Sessions (for Foundations of Financial Planning students only): Designed to complement the self-study learning process and assist you complete the first assessment task of your Diploma studies. Find out more.

 Click here for more information on workshops, including timetables and locations.

Duration & Timeframes

A typical study commitment is 60 hours per subject and may vary depending on your capacity for study.

Assignments must be submitted no later than four months from enrolment and first-sit exams must be completed within six months of enrolment.

Note: When enrolling into the full qualification you must complete all subjects and the Skills Assessment (where applicable) within 5 years of your initial qualification enrolment.

Assessment

To complete each of the subjects, you must successfully complete the:

• Assignment, and
• Exam

N.B. Students who have not completed Foundations of Financial Planning as the first subject of their qualification must complete a Workplace Skills Assessment to successfully gain the full qualification.

If you are unsuccessful in an assessment (Not yet competent), you will have the opportunity to:

• Resit the exam (twice)
• Resubmit  the assignment (once), please see the Assessment Policy  for further details

 Visit the Kaplan Practice Exams page.

Competencies

Download Kaplan’s Competency List to view the list of competencies you will achieve through successful completion of this qualification.

Pathways

Once you’ve completed the Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) you can upgrade to the Advanced Diploma or extend your knowledge into Self-Managed Superannuation (SMSF) Funds.

Recognition & Exemptions

Methods available:

• Recognition of Prior Learning
• Mutual Recognition
• Assessment Only

Refer to the Recognition & Exemptions page for further information and associated forms.

Study Information

Refer to the following links for further information, or visit Study Information:

Timetables & Dates for Intensive Workshops and Kaplan Office Exams
 Forms for all study related forms
Exam Information
 Recognition & Exemptions

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