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Home > Courses > Intensive study periods for postgraduate financial planning courses
If you are impacted by the FAS education standards for existing financial advisers, now is the time to act. Kaplan Professional has released another new intensive study period specifically to help advisers meet the standards at an accelerated pace to ensure they are able to return to providing advice as soon as possible (provided they have ceased on the FAR on or before 31 December 2025).
However, the first quarter Study Period (Q1SP 2026) is now closed to new closed to new enrolments.
Register your request to enrol into one of the eight (8) eligible subjects within an intensive via the ‘request enrolment’ form.
The census date for this Intensive Study Period has passed.
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The intensive six-week study period option is ideal for advisers looking to accelerate progress, manage work-study balance, or complete a subject in a condensed timeframe.
The workload and assessment requirements remain equivalent to a standard 12-week study period. However, they have been condensed in order to increase the pace of study.
While this special offering is primarily designed to help existing advisers meet the FAS education standards, anyone interested in completing one of the eligible subjects is welcome to enrol, provided they meet the standard enrolment requirements.
*Booking required.
You can enrol in an intensive study period to complete one of the eight (8) core Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning subjects either:
Individuals may elect to take:
Note: Any other combination will require formal approval.
Contact our Course Advice team to discuss your individual circumstances – they can assist you with planning and answer any questions you may have.
Register your request to enrol into one of the eight (8) eligible subjects within an intensive study period via the ‘request enrolment’ form.
One of our knowledgeable Course Advisers will be in touch within two (2) business days to discuss your options and assist with enrolment.
It’s recommended you set aside an average of 20 hours per week to complete the learning and assessment requirements in an intensive subject.
Details regarding further intensive study periods to follow.
12 Jan 2026 - 20 Feb 2026
❌ Enrolments now closed
Early access opens N/A
Early access to assessments N/A
Study period commences 12 January 2026
Enrolments close/census 21 January 2026
Study period ends 20 February 2026
Assessment dates See assessment information
For a full list of the regular annual study period dates, click here >
Intensive study periods are primarily designed for individuals who are still seeking to meet the FAS education standards for existing advisers and return to providing personal advice as soon as possible (provided they have ceased on the FAR on or before 31 December 2025). All individuals enrolled in Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master of Financial Planning are eligible. Individuals completing stand-alone subjects in order to meet the education standards or for any reason are also eligible.
You may only enrol in one intensive subject at a time to ensure a managable workload. However, should you wish to take additional intensive subjects, approval must be sought when you enrol.
Yes, you may enrol in both. However, any further enrolments will require approval.
Yes. You can enrol to complete one of the eligible subjects within an intensive study period even if you are not completing a Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning, Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning or a Master of Financial Planning.
One of our Course Advisers will be in touch within two (2) business days to discuss your options and assist with enrolment if you would like to proceed.
The total recommended study load when taking a subject within an intensive study period remains at 120 hours per subject (like in a standard study period). However, because a subject taken within an intensive study period is delivered over six (6) weeks instead of 12, there are more hours per week required. It is recommended you put aside a minimum of 20 hours per week on average.
You will continue to receive timely and constructive feedback. All written assessments such as tasks, assignments and case studies will be marked and returned with feedback within 10 calendar days or less.
In addition to your dedicated subject forum tutor, you will be provided with a weekly structured study plan, access to individual study support sessions, and timely feedback on assessments. Everything is designed to keep you focused and on track.
Each week, there are 10-minute one-on-one Zoom sessions are available with your Tutor. These sessions are designed to provide focused, individual clarification on concepts and assessments. To make the most of your time, you’ll need to let your Tutor know what you’d like to discuss when booking.
Because of the shorter time frame, staying on schedule is imperative. We recommend attending the drop-in sessions every week and sticking to the weekly study plan. If you are struggling to keep up, please reach out early for support using your discussion forum, the weekly tutor sessions, or calling our Student Experience team on 1300 135 798 (choose option 1).
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 >
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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.