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Course overview


STUDY MODE

100% online

NUMBER OF SUBJECTS

8

NEXT INTAKE

4 Mar 2024

COURSE FEE

$20,800.00

AVAILABLE LOANS

FEE-HELP

AQF LEVEL

8

COURSE DURATION

1.25 years full-time
2.5 years part-time
10 months accelerated full-time

PROVIDER ID

PRV12030


Our online, FAS-approved Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is an eight-subject higher education qualification set at AQF level 8, which comprises the first eight subjects of Kaplan Professional’s Master of Financial Planning.

The qualification is designed and developed in conjunction with leading advisers and industry experts to ensure what you learn is practical, relevant and immediately transferable to your professional practice. You’ll build on the skills you’ve already developed and broaden your technical knowledge in investment, taxation, estate and succession planning, and client engagement skills.

Who is this course for?

  • Individuals seeking to undertake a FAS-approved qualification
  • Individuals looking to build on existing knowledge and skills to develop a broader technical knowledge in investment, taxation, estate and succession planning and client engagement

Course structure

Single subject study is also availableClick here for full subject availability.

Program structure

CourseNumber of subjects Subjects required to completeMaximum timeframe to complete
Graduate Certificate in
Financial Planning
44 core subjects3 years
(18 Study Periods)
Graduate Diploma of
Financial Planning
88 core subjects4 years
(24 Study Periods)
Master of Financial Planning1210 Core subjects
+
2 Elective subjects
5 years
(30 Study Periods)

FAS Bridging Courses

Kaplan Professional has been proactive in our approach to the development of the following FAS-approved bridging courses:

  • FPC002B Ethics and Professionalism in Financial Advice (aligns to FAS bridging course: Ethics for Professional Advisers)
    Learn more >
  • FPC001B Economic and Legal Context for Financial Planning (aligns to FAS bridging course: Financial Advice Regulatory and Legal Obligations)
    Learn more >
  • FPC007B Client Engagement Skills (aligns to FAS bridging course: Client and Consumer Behaviour, Engagement and Decision Making)
    Learn more >

Each bridging course can be completed as a stand-alone subject or counted towards Kaplan Professional’s FAS-approved Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning and FAS-approved Master of Financial Planning.

 

Industry designations

Individuals who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning will meet the entry requirement for the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) designation offered by the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA).

 

Exit qualifications

Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning

Learning outcomes

Course learning outcomes

On completion of this qualification, individuals will be able to:

  • Apply key economic principles and theoretical and technical concepts in the context of financial planning
  • Formulate appropriate recommendations based on the comparison of portfolios and strategies for clients, including those with specialised needs
  • Apply analytical skills to propose appropriate business and tax structures for a variety of clients’ circumstances
  • Integrate competencies such as digital literacy and relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice and ethical behaviour in the financial planning process
  • Assess emotional, social and other drivers of client behaviour to integrate appropriate communication, negotiation and client relationship -building skills relevant to the financial planning process
  • Create solutions in a financial planning context using problem-solving, research and inquiry skills

Graduate attributes

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.

  • Deep discipline knowledge
  • Ethical conduct and values
  • Communication
  • Digital literacy
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Independence and initiative

Please click here to learn more about our graduate attributes.

Potential career paths

  • Financial adviser/planner
  • Insurance / Risk adviser
  • Business development manager
  • Superannuation consultant
  • Portfolio analyst
  • Investment banker
  • Claims administrator
  • Compliance manager
  • Risk adviser
  • Technical consultant
  • Financial advice practice manager
  • Responsible manager

Advance your career and open further avenues by learning new knowledge and skills. Read our financial planning guide to learn where completing the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning course can take you.

Potential career paths

On completion of this qualification, individuals will be able to:

  • Apply key economic principles and theoretical and technical concepts in the context of financial planning
  • Formulate appropriate recommendations based on the comparison of portfolios and strategies for clients, including those with specialised needs
  • Apply analytical skills to propose appropriate business and tax structures for a variety of clients’ circumstances
  • Integrate competencies such as digital literacy and relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice and ethical behaviour in the financial planning process
  • Assess emotional, social and other drivers of client behaviour to integrate appropriate communication, negotiation and client relationship -building skills relevant to the financial planning process
  • Create solutions in a financial planning context using problem-solving, research and inquiry skills

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.

  • Deep discipline knowledge
  • Ethical conduct and values
  • Communication
  • Digital literacy
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Independence and initiative

Please click here to learn more about our graduate attributes.

  • Financial adviser/planner
  • Insurance / Risk adviser
  • Business development manager
  • Superannuation consultant
  • Portfolio analyst
  • Investment banker
  • Claims administrator
  • Compliance manager
  • Risk adviser
  • Technical consultant
  • Financial advice practice manager
  • Responsible manager

Advance your career and open further avenues by learning new knowledge and skills. Read our financial planning guide to learn where completing the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning course can take you.

Potential career paths

Key dates

Kaplan Professional’s six study period model provides you the freedom to study all year round. It also enables you 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.

Study Period 1

11 Dec 2023 - 29 Mar 2024

❌ Enrolments now closed

Early access opens 11 December 2023

Early access to assessments 21 December 2023

Study period commences 8 January 2024

Enrolments close/census 24 January 2024

Study period ends 29 March 2024

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 2

5 Feb 2024 - 24 May 2024

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 5 February 2024

Early access to assessments 19 February 2024

Study period commences 4 March 2024

Enrolments close/census 20 March 2024

Study period ends 24 May 2024

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 3

1 Apr 2024 - 19 Jul 2024

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 1 April 2024

Early access to assessments 15 April 2024

Study period commences 29 April 2024

Enrolments close/census 15 May 2024

Study period ends 19 July 2024

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 4

3 Jun 2024 - 20 Sep 2024

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 3 June 2024

Early access to assessments 17 June 2024

Study period commences 1 July 2024

Enrolments close/census 17 July 2024

Study period ends 20 September 2024

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 5

29 Jul 2024 - 15 Nov 2024

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 29 July 2024

Early access to assessments 12 August 2024

Study period commences 26 August 2024

Enrolments close/census 11 September 2024

Study period ends 15 November 2024

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 6

30 Sep 2024 - 17 Jan 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 30 September 2024

Early access to assessments 14 October 2024

Study period commences 28 October 2024

Enrolments close/census 13 November 2024

Study period ends 17 January 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

For a full list of annual study period dates, click here >

Pathways

Combine our Master of Financial Planning with the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification

Kaplan Professional is pleased to announce a partnership with the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA), which allows individuals to combine our FAS-approved Master of Financial Planning with the CFP® Certification Program. 

The professional pathway is available to individuals who wish to obtain both Kaplan Professional’s Master of Financial Planning and the FAAA’s CFP® designation. This pathway requires individuals to successfully complete 10 core subjects and 1 elective subject from Kaplan Professional’s Master of Financial Planning. The final elective subject – CFP® certification unit –  is be completed with the FAAA.

 

Recommended professional pathway

  1. FPC001B Economic and Legal Context for Financial Planning
  2. FPC002B Ethics and Professionalism in Financial Advice
  3. FPC003 Superannuation and Retirement Advice
  4. FPC004 Insurance Advice
  5. FPC005 Estate and Succession Planning
  6. FPC006 Tax and Commercial Law for Financial Planning
  7. FPC007B Client Engagement Skills
  8. FPC008 Investment Advice
  9. FPC009 Complex Financial Planning
  10. Elective 1
  11. KAP001: Capstone Project
  12. General elective 2 (CFP® certification unit completed with the FAAA)

On completion of the pathway and once the CFP® Certification Program industry experience requirements are met, individuals will be eligible to apply for the CFP® designation.

If you’re currently completing Kaplan Professional’s Master of Financial Planning and are interested in undertaking this pathway, please contact our Student Advice team on 1300 135 798 to discuss your options.

Entry Requirements

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.

Minimum education requirement for entry

  • Completion of a Bachelor degree or higher qualification, or
  • Completion of a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in a related discipline with a minimum of two years’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience, or
  • At least four years’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience, or
  • Academic and/or professional qualifications demonstrating potential to undertake study at this level

*You will be required to provide Kaplan Professional with documents supporting your application as evidence that you meet the requirements for entry into the course. Please review the Provision of Entry Requirement Documents PDF for more information.

Don’t meet the above entry requirements?

You may be eligible to pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning by enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning. Please visit the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning page and refer to the ‘Entry requirements’ tab. Alternatively, feel free to contact 1300 135 798 or studentadvice@kaplan.edu.au to discuss your options.

You may also 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 our alternative entry pathways for further information

Related industry experience

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 2 years
  • Self-employed roles in trading or related areas.

Download the Related Industry Experience Form >

Industry education requirements for financial advisers

We encourage you to book a phone consultation to discuss the options and study pathways available to you in more detail. These consultations allow our experienced and knowledgeable team to understand your needs, identify the qualification most appropriate for you, and address your questions thoroughly.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Advanced standing may be awarded in recognition of prior learning (RPL) or industry experience, which is directly related to the qualification.

We recognise various types of prior learning towards our postgraduate qualifications:

  • Advanced standing based on an industry designation
  • Advanced standing based on prior postgraduate study
  • Advanced standing based on industry experience

Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), review the advanced standing ‘Precedent list,’ and get detailed guidance on the application process.

  • Completion of a Bachelor degree or higher qualification, or
  • Completion of a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in a related discipline with a minimum of two years’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience, or
  • At least four years’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience, or
  • Academic and/or professional qualifications demonstrating potential to undertake study at this level

*You will be required to provide Kaplan Professional with documents supporting your application as evidence that you meet the requirements for entry into the course. Please review the Provision of Entry Requirement Documents PDF for more information.

You may be eligible to pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning by enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning. Please visit the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning page and refer to the ‘Entry requirements’ tab. Alternatively, feel free to contact 1300 135 798 or studentadvice@kaplan.edu.au to discuss your options.

You may also 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 our alternative entry pathways for further information

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 2 years
  • Self-employed roles in trading or related areas.

Download the Related Industry Experience Form >

We encourage you to book a phone consultation to discuss the options and study pathways available to you in more detail. These consultations allow our experienced and knowledgeable team to understand your needs, identify the qualification most appropriate for you, and address your questions thoroughly.

Advanced standing may be awarded in recognition of prior learning (RPL) or industry experience, which is directly related to the qualification.

We recognise various types of prior learning towards our postgraduate qualifications:

  • Advanced standing based on an industry designation
  • Advanced standing based on prior postgraduate study
  • Advanced standing based on industry experience

Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), review the advanced standing ‘Precedent list,’ and get detailed guidance on the application process.

How to apply

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 required technology access and skills.

Find out more

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.

Apply (enrol) now

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.

Find out more

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.

Click here to view a list of financial planning subjects.

Make sure you also check the assessment timetable to ensure you are available to sit the assessment pieces.

Go to course

Why choose us

Kaplan Professional is a leading provider of education in Australia, providing learning solutions to over 45,000 professionals annually – this includes 1,500 corporate clients, incorporating all the major banks and leading financial services providers in the country.

You can count on diligent and prompt support from a dedicated Student Advice team who are always a phone call or email away. The team is experienced, knowledgeable and specifically in place to support financial advisers who are studying at the postgraduate level. You’ll work together with the team to create a tailored pathway that will help you map out your studies and plan ahead to ensure you’re able to achieve your goals within your desired timeframe.

Kaplan Professional has always prided itself on its ability to engage industry experts and leading financial advisers to curate and deliver our subject content. This ensures you’ll be provided with practical, relevant and performance-focused outcomes, directly applicable to your professional practice. These industry practitioners deliver online lectures, respond to questions in the discussion forum, and provide assessment feedback.

Kaplan Professional’s six study period model provides you the freedom to study all year round, but most importantly, every postgraduate financial planning 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.

You have access to KapLearn – your innovative online learning hub – anytime and anywhere. This convenience and flexibility empowers you to plan your study time around the rest of your day, instead of the other way around. This is particularly beneficial for busy financial advisers who already have significant professional and personal commitments. 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.

You’ll have direct access to the industry practitioners and subject matter experts in an online discussion forum, where you can seek clarification on subject content and discuss any study issues you may have. By participating in online discussion forums in a supportive peer-to-peer environment, you have the unique ability to discover the viewpoints of like-minded individuals from different areas of the industry. This creates a richer, more immersive learning experience, while providing you further opportunities to extend your professional network.

You’ll also have the option of being assigned a study group. This enables you to form new perspectives; understand and absorb information more efficiently; improve and develop new study skills; and benefit from a cooperative, rather than competitive, learning environment.

Fees and FEE-HELP

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:

Enrolment feesFee
Subject fee 2024$2,600

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 >

Support and wellbeing

We understand studying isn’t always easy; you may not have studied for some time or perhaps you haven’t studied online previously. Kaplan Professional recognises juggling study with work and family commitments, while trying to find the balance can be demanding.

Your wellbeing and safety is paramount to Kaplan Professional. We want to ensure your experience is well-rounded and balanced to help you attain the most from your studies, so we encourage you to take advantage of the services available to you.

Support and wellbeing

We understand studying isn’t always easy; you may not have studied for some time or perhaps you haven’t studied online previously. Kaplan Professional recognises juggling study with work and family commitments, while trying to find the balance can be demanding.

Your wellbeing and safety is paramount to Kaplan Professional. We want to ensure your experience is well-rounded and balanced to help you attain the most from your studies, so we encourage you to take advantage of the services available to you.

Programs you might be interested in

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Master of Financial Planning

Our online, FAS-approved Master of Financial Planning is a purpose-built higher education qualification set at AQF level 9. It’s designed and developed in consultation with industry experts, and combines advanced technical rigour with practical and relevant performance-focused learning outcomes.
CRS1200364

Master of Applied Finance

Leading online degree designed for ambitious and savvy individuals who are looking for advanced academic rigour, but thrive on practical and real-world learning immediately applicable in the workplace, and directly relevant to future career roles. It caters to experienced finance professionals and those transitioning into the field, integrating learning outcomes with pathways for further accreditation such as a CFA®.
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Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning

An eight-subject postgraduate qualification set at AQF Level 8 and FAS approved. Includes the first eight subjects of the FAS-approved Master of Financial Planning.

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