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Home > Courses > Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance
Kaplan Professional’s Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance provides you with essential foundation knowledge and skills to launch your career in finance.
Get detailed information about our 100% online Applied Finance courses instantly, including the benefits of studying with Kaplan Professional.
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STUDY MODE
100% online
NUMBER OF SUBJECTS
4
NEXT INTAKE
9 Mar 2026
COURSE FEE
$11,400.00
AVAILABLE LOANS
FEE-HELP
AQF LEVEL
8
COURSE DURATION
7 months full-time1.25 years part-time6 months accelerated full-time
ACCREDITATION
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
PROVIDER ID
PRV12030
You’ll gain practical knowledge and expertise you can immediately apply to your career, plus an understanding of the ethical standards relevant to the finance sector. This qualification is ideal if you’re:
FIN251, FIN338, FIN351, FIN362 discontinued in 2026, not available for enrolment from Study Period 1 2026 | New subjects FIN339 and FIN353 available for enrolment from Study Period 1 2026
Single subject study is also available. Click here for full subject availability.
On completion of this qualification, individuals will be able to:
Kaplan Professional defines the philosophy underpinning our qualifications through the graduate attributes. These are the qualities we’d like individuals to develop as they progress through their academic studies; they reflect what individuals will know (knowledge) or be able to do (capabilities) when they finish their qualification.
The attributes are built into Kaplan Professional course learning outcomes, content and assessments:
Please click here to learn more about our graduate attributes
Six intakes every year
With six intakes every year, you can plan ahead and study when it suits you. A new study period commences every two months, overlapping slightly from the previous, so you can pace your studies to achieve your goals within your desired timeframe.
Extra time each study period
Take advantage of our complimentary early access period to make a head start on your next subject. Gain an extra four weeks of access to your online subject room, learning materials, support resources and assessments in advance of the study period commencement date to give you more time to prepare yourself and balance your learning.
12 Jan 2026 - 3 Apr 2026
❌ Enrolments now closed
Early access opens 15 December 2025
Early access to assessments 29 December 2025
Study period commences 12 January 2026
Enrolments close/census 28 January 2026
Study period ends 3 April 2026
Assessment dates See assessment information
9 Mar 2026 - 29 May 2026
✓ Enrolments open now
Early access opens 9 February 2026
Early access to assessments 23 February 2026
Study period commences 9 March 2026
Enrolments close/census 25 March 2026
Study period ends 29 May 2026
Assessment dates See assessment timetable
4 May 2026 - 24 Jul 2026
Early access opens 6 April 2026
Early access to assessments 20 April 2026
Study period commences 4 May 2026
Enrolments close/census 20 May 2026
Study period ends 24 July 2026
29 Jul 2026 - 18 Sep 2026
Early access opens 1 June 2026
Early access to assessments 15 June 2026
Study period commences 29 June 2026
Enrolments close/census 15 July 2026
Study period ends 18 September 2026
24 Aug 2026 - 13 Nov 2026
Early access opens 27 July 2026
Early access to assessments 10 August 2026
Study period commences 24 August 2026
Enrolments close/census 9 September 2026
Study period ends 13 November 2026
19 Oct 2026 - 8 Jan 2027
Early access opens 21 September 2026
Early access to assessments 5 October 2026
Study period commences 19 October 2026
Enrolments close/census 4 November 2026
Study period ends 8 January 2027
For a full list of annual study period dates, click here.
Below are the minimum education requirements for entry into our postgraduate courses.
Alternative entry pathways may be available to you if you do not meet the minimum education requirements. In addition, other entry requirements, such as English language proficiency, may apply to you depending on your academic background.
The qualifications listed as minimum education requirements must be from a recognised Institute of Higher Education. Overseas qualifications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis using the Country Education Profiles (CEPs) qualification recognition tool provided by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
You’ll be required to provide Kaplan Professional with certified documents supporting that you have met the requirements for entry into the course.
*Related disciplines include:
You may be eligible for entry into this course based on your work expertise and/or if you hold an academic and/or professional qualification that is deemed appropriate to Kaplan Professional. Please refer to alternative entry pathways for further information.
Related industry/work experience includes:
Advanced standing may be awarded in recognition of prior learning (RPL) or industry experience, which is directly related to this course.
We recognise various types of prior learning towards our postgraduate courses:
Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), review the advanced standing ‘Precedent list,’ and get detailed guidance on the application process here.
Each Kaplan Professional postgraduate qualification has minimum entry requirements that you must meet to qualify for admission.
In order to complete your studies with Kaplan Professional, you’re assumed to have the recommended technology requirements and skills.
You can apply to study with Kaplan Professional by completing our online application (enrolment) form.
Alternatively, you can submit a hard copy of the application (enrolment) form.
You can apply now and supply documentation later to support your application for admission (within three weeks of your initial application to the qualification). Please click here for details on what documentation you may need to provide to support your application.
You may be able to obtain advanced standing or recognition of prior learning for a Kaplan Professional subject based on your previous study, professional membership status and/or work experience.
All subjects are offered online for each study period, giving you the flexibility of choosing when and where you wish study. You pay tuition fees for the subject(s) you’re enrolled in within an individual study period. Check the fee schedule for more information about fees.
FEE-HELP is available to eligible students. Click here to find out if you’re eligible.
You should also check the individual subject outlines to understand the recommended study time commitments for the subject, along with any recommended assumed knowledge.
View a list of applied finance subjects here.
Make sure you also check the assessment timetable to ensure you are available to sit the assessment pieces.
Benefit from the knowledge and experience of respected finance practitioners currently working within the industry who bring current industry insights into every subject.
Develop job-ready technical expertise and practical skills you can apply immediately to current complex financial challenges.
Tailor your course to your goals with fewer core subjects and more elective choices than comparable programs in Australia, including Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) pathways.
We also hold over 40 years’ experience (The Securities Institute, FINSIA and Kaplan Professional) in setting the standard for applied finance education in the country.
Study 100% online through Kaplearn, our interactive learning platform. Each postgraduate level subject has six annual intakes with ongoing support from our dedicated Student Experience and Advice teams.
Earn a respected postgraduate qualification designed to boost your career prospects in investment banking, risk, corporate finance and more.
Locked-in pricing and FEE-HELP
To safeguard against any future price increases, you can lock in the price of your subject enrolment fees for the duration of your qualification. Many eligible students use FEE-HELP, which is a Commonwealth Government loan. This means you don’t need to pay to study upfront, helping you to reduce some of your financial burden.
Tuition fees
When you apply to study with Kaplan Professional, you pay for the subjects you’ve enrolled in for each study period.
The tuition fee listed below applies to all postgraduate subjects:
If you’re paying by cheque, utilising a deferral, or have a preferred client code, you’ll need to download and submit a hard copy of the form below.
Download a new student application (enrolment) form>
Other fees
Further fees may apply. Click here for a full list of fees and allowances.
Further fees
Click here for a full list of fees and allowances.
Click here to find out if you’re eligible for FEE-HELP.
Payment FAQs
Click here to learn more.
We prioritise our students' mental and physical health, creating a supportive environment for learning success.
Our dedicated support teams are here to support you throughout your studies.
Our engaging and interactive learning resources support flexible and self-paced learning experiences for our students.
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Kaplan Professional is offering education update presentations for advice firms – available online or in person – designed to help advisers navigate the evolving professional landscape.
The financial advice profession is rarely a straight path. Increasing regulation, rising client expectations, technological change and higher professional standards mean advisers must continually adapt to remain relevant and competitive.
This presentation maps the full career lifecycle of an adviser – from entry into the profession through to specialisation, leadership and long-term sustainability. At each stage, we explore the capabilities required, the common challenges advisers face, and the role education plays not just as a compliance requirement, but as a strategic enabler of professional growth.
• Education pathways from entry to senior leadership
• How capability requirements evolve across career stages
• The shift from minimum standards to advanced technical and strategic expertise
• The role of ongoing education in building resilience, sound judgement and sustainable careers
Designed for adviser teams and leadership groups, this presentation provides practical insights into how structured learning supports long-term performance, professionalism and business sustainability.
To book an education update session for your advisers please contact your Corporate Relationship Manager to arrange a suitable time.
Date: Wednesday, 11 March
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm AEDT
Fee: $280
Where: Online (Zoom)
Host: Matthew Farley
A certificate of attendance outlining CPD hours will be awarded at the conclusion of this workshop. A full list of topics is available on our website.
Date: Thursday, 19 March
Time: 1:00pm – 3:30pm AEDT
Fee: $340
Host: Dr Jenny Diggle
Kaplan Professional has expanded the Financial Adviser Accelerator Suite with a new set of practical topics designed to further strengthen capability across both technical and client engagement areas.
As client expectations continue to rise and advice scenarios become more complex, early career advisers must combine sound technical knowledge with strong communication skills and thoughtful decision-making. The latest additions to the suite support this ongoing professional development.
Practical frameworks to enhance credibility, strengthen adviser presence and build more meaningful, long-term client relationships.
Structured approaches to assessing appropriate cover, modelling client scenarios and supporting well-reasoned, client-centred risk advice.
Applying probability-based thinking to improve strategic judgement and support more confident decision-making in uncertain environments.
These additions build on the Financial Adviser Accelerator Suite focus on applied, real-world learning, equipping advisers with skills that can be immediately implemented in practice.
The ongoing expansion of the Financial Adviser Accelerator Suite reflects Kaplan Professional’s commitment to supporting advisers as they continue to develop deeper expertise and deliver high-quality, client-focused advice.
For advisers who have now met the education standard, the focus shifts from compliance to opportunity.
Kaplan Professional offers clear pathways to build on the bridging courses and subjects already completed and convert that study into a full, recognised qualification. Advisers who have completed individual units toward the education standard may be eligible to articulate into the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning or Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, formalising their academic achievement and strengthening their professional standing.
From there, eligible Graduate Diploma alumni can upgrade to the Master of Financial Planning, completing the remaining subjects to attain a postgraduate qualification that positions them above the minimum regulatory requirement. The Master’s program also provides direct pathways toward leading professional designations, including CFP® and SSA®, enabling advisers to align academic progression with industry-recognised credentials.
Advisers who have completed the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning are already eligible to obtain leading professional designations through the College for Financial Planning®. This includes globally-recognised credentials such as the Accredited Behavioural Finance ProfessionalSM (ABFP®) and Chartered Retirement Planning CounsellorSM (CRPC®) designation.
No further study is required to meet the education component for these certifications, allowing advisers to leverage their existing qualification to secure respected professional recognition and further strengthen their standing in the industry.
Beyond core qualifications, Kaplan Professional also offers access to additional specialist electives and professional designation pathways, allowing advisers to differentiate in areas such as superannuation, retirement, ethics and client strategy.
In short, completing the education standard doesn’t have to be the end point. With Kaplan Professional, it can be the foundation for higher qualifications, respected designations and long-term career progression.
Contact your Corporate Relationship Manager to discuss the education options and pathways for your adviser network. Alternatively, contact 1300 135 798 (option 2) or email courseadvice@kaplan.edu.au.
Kaplan Professional will host a special Women in Finance webinar on Tuesday, 3 March, celebrating the achievements, leadership and career journeys of women shaping the financial services industry.
The session will explore leadership, career progression and the role education has played in supporting professional success across diverse areas of the sector.
Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning dux, two-time Olympian and Financial Adviser at HLB Mann Judd.
Graduate Diploma graduate, business owner and founder of a caregiving training institute in Bangladesh, with more than 20 years’ industry experience.
Master of Applied Finance graduate and Director at BDO Sydney, specialising in governance, risk and assurance across financial services.
Date: Tuesday, 3 March
Time: 1:30pm AEDT
Location: Online (Zoom)
The webinar will include practical leadership insights, reflections on career growth, discussion on the impact of education in finance, and an interactive Q&A session.
Now
9 March
25 March
29 May
Kaplan Professional is offering eligible Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning alumni a limited-time opportunity to upgrade to the Master of Financial Planning at a fixed alumni price of $5,000.
This exclusive offer enables alumni to complete their remaining four subjects – two core subjects (FPC009 Complex Financial Planning and KAP001 Capstone Project) and two electives – at a substantially reduced cost compared to standard postgraduate tuition fees.
To access the offer, eligible alumni must enrol and commence their first subject by the Study Period 2 census date, 25 March 2026.
Upgrading to the Master’s degree provides advisers with the opportunity to deepen technical expertise, broaden strategic capability and position themselves strongly as professional standards across the industry continue to rise. The program also supports progression toward additional professional designations.
Full details, including subject structure, study plans and application steps, are available below.