Diploma of Financial Services

• Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (or equivalent) within the past two years (ATAR not required); or
• Completion of a Certificate III or higher qualification; or
• At least two years full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience; or
• Academic and/or professional qualifications demonstrating potential to undertake study at this level

All applicants are assessed according to the same admission criteria, regardless of their state or territory of residence. Entry is based on meeting the relevant educational qualifications or alternative entry pathway. No pre-selection process applies. An ATAR or STAT result is not required for admission.

Refer to the Admissions Policy for more information.

You will be required to provide Kaplan Professional with certified documents confirming that you have met the requirements for entry into the course.

Related industry/work experience can include, but is not limited to:

• Working for financial institution(s) in position(s) with exposure to aspects of the industry
• Managing a business for at least two (2) years
• Self-employed roles in trading or related areas

Alternative entry pathways may be available if you do not meet the minimum education requirements or are from diverse backgrounds, such as the Access and Equity Pathway or Non-degree Entry. More information here.

Further admissions support and scholarship opportunities are available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. Refer to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing support page for more information.

Kaplan Professional will assess each application and notify the applicant of the outcome, providing guidance on the most suitable study pathway for their chosen course.

Applicants may apply for mature-age entry if they are 21 years of age and over. School results, TAFE or VET qualifications, work experience and other informal study may be accepted in support of their application.

Applicants who have completed their tertiary qualifications in a language other than English, or whose industry experience did not take place in an English-speaking environment, must demonstrate English proficiency.

A certified copy of the results must be provided. Please note English language tests have a currency of approximately two (2) years.

• International English Language Testing system (IELTS): Overall band score of 5.5 (minimum 5.0 in writing)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Academic score of 46
• TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of 46
• KTE (Kaplan Test of English): Score greater than 426 Overall for listening, reading and grammar, and B2 for speaking and writing
• CAE (Cambridge C1 Advanced Test): Overall score of 162
• Occupational English Test (OET): Score of at least B for each test component.
• Duolingo English Test: Overall score of 110
• General Certificate of Education (GCE):
  • GCE Ordinary Level – Grade C in English Language or English Literature
  • GCE Advanced Subsidiary Level – Grade C in English Language or English Literature
  • GCE Advanced Level – Grade D in English Language or English Literature

Individuals may be eligible for advanced standing if they can demonstrate previous industry relevant experience and/or recognised prior learning, whether formal or informal. Formal learning can include previous study in higher education, vocational education, or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning or various kinds of work and life experience. RPL can reduce the amount of study needed to complete a degree.

The following prior learning may be eligible for direct advanced standing into specific subjects within the Diploma of Financial Services:

• Tier 1 RG146 accreditations
• General Advice Specialisation – Superannuation.

Get detailed guidance on the RPL application process here.

Students can access the full range of subject information, resources, and services through the online learning platform, KapLearn. To support their studies, enrolled students are responsible for arranging access to suitable IT equipment for the duration of their course.

For further details, please review the recommended technology requirements page of the website.

There are no bridging or enabling courses for the Diploma of Financial Services.

Kaplan Professional does not use ATAR as a selection criterion when reviewing applicants for this course.

Work placement is not a requirement of this qualification. All course outcomes are completed online through structured learning and assessment activities.

The Student Profile table below provides an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It includes data on students who commenced in this course in the most relevant recent intake periods, as this course is newly launched the student profile detail is limited.

Deferment

If you wish to defer the commencement of your studies, you can submit a Deferral of Studies Form. For further information can be found here Defer your higher education studies.

Where to find further information

• Kaplan Professional Glossary
• Kaplan Professional Grievances, Complaints and Appeals
• Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) national register
• Quality Indicator for Learning and Teaching (QILT) Higher Education survey data

Each Kaplan Professional higher education course has minimum entry requirements that you must meet to qualify for admission.

In order to complete your studies with Kaplan Professional, you are assumed to have relevant technology access 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 (3) weeks of your initial application to the qualification). Failure to complete the enrolment form or to supply any requested documentation will result in the application not being assessed or approved.

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.

Approved applicants will be emailed an offer letter and instructions on how to accept their enrolment offer and enrol in subjects.

All subjects are offered online for each study period, providing 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, on a pay as you go basis. Check the fee schedule for more information about fees.

Before enrolling into a subject check the following:

• Individual subject outlines to understand the recommended study time commitments for the subject, along with any recommended assumed knowledge.
• The assessment timetable to ensure you are available to complete the assessment pieces.
• The census date is the official deadline for finalising enrolment in a subject or course. It is the last day individuals can withdraw without incurring academic or financial penalty. Refer to the key dates section on this page for information about census dates for each study period.

Benefit from the knowledge and experience of respected finance practitioners currently working within the industry who bring current industry insights into every subject.

Study 100% online through Kaplearn, our interactive learning platform.  Each higher education subject has six annual intakes with ongoing support from our dedicated Student Experience and Advice teams.

This convenience and flexibility empowers you to plan your study time around your schedule, instead of the other way around. Discussion forums, interactive notes, research journals, online journals, real-world case studies and diverse multimedia content are all easily accessible in one intuitive and user-friendly hub.

Kaplan Professional’s six study period model provides you the freedom to study all year round, but most importantly, every higher education subject is available in each study period. This ensures you’re able to plan ahead and choose study periods that accommodate your professional and personal commitments. With a new study period commencing approximately every two months, overlapping slightly from the previous, you can accelerate your study or ‘take a break’ depending on your circumstances.