Course overview
Subject Information
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the Margin Lending Specialist Course, individuals should be able to:
- Outline the characteristics of margin lending, margin lending facilities, potential investors and risks of margin lending
- Explain the process for choosing a margin loan and strategies for managing margin loan risk
- Analyse and evaluate gearing strategies in relation to different client scenarios
- Demonstrate the technical skills related to Margin Lending within the financial planning industry
- Explain the obligations relevant to the provision of retail financial advice in margin lending
Duration
Individuals have a total of:
- 12 weeks to complete the learning and assessment requirements for MLS – Margin Lending Specialist, from their initial activation date
- An additional four (4) weeks’ resubmission time – If an individual reaches the end of their initial enrolment period and has been deemed not yet competent in one or more assessment items, then an additional four (4) weeks will be granted, provided the individual attempted all assessment tasks during the initial enrolment period
Therefore, if an individual completes the learning and assessment, and the resubmission time in every subject is granted, the duration will be 16 weeks.
Individuals working in industry may be able to complete the course requirements in a shorter timeframe or less hours per week.
For a guide on the number of study hours for Professional Year formal training, click here.
Topics covered
- Topic 1: Fundamentals and regulation of margin lending
- Topic 2: Overview of gearing
- Topic 3: The margin loan transaction
- Topic 4: Assessing and managing financial risk in client portfolios.



On successful completion of the Margin Lending Specialist Course, individuals should be able to:
- Outline the characteristics of margin lending, margin lending facilities, potential investors and risks of margin lending
- Explain the process for choosing a margin loan and strategies for managing margin loan risk
- Analyse and evaluate gearing strategies in relation to different client scenarios
- Demonstrate the technical skills related to Margin Lending within the financial planning industry
- Explain the obligations relevant to the provision of retail financial advice in margin lending
Individuals have a total of:
- 12 weeks to complete the learning and assessment requirements for MLS – Margin Lending Specialist, from their initial activation date
- An additional four (4) weeks’ resubmission time – If an individual reaches the end of their initial enrolment period and has been deemed not yet competent in one or more assessment items, then an additional four (4) weeks will be granted, provided the individual attempted all assessment tasks during the initial enrolment period
Therefore, if an individual completes the learning and assessment, and the resubmission time in every subject is granted, the duration will be 16 weeks.
Individuals working in industry may be able to complete the course requirements in a shorter timeframe or less hours per week.
For a guide on the number of study hours for Professional Year formal training, click here.
- Topic 1: Fundamentals and regulation of margin lending
- Topic 2: Overview of gearing
- Topic 3: The margin loan transaction
- Topic 4: Assessing and managing financial risk in client portfolios.



Assessment
The assessments for each subject are listed below:
Assessment | Assessment detail |
---|---|
One (1) Exam | Unsupervised, open-book, multiple-choice examination with four (4) attempts. |
One (1) Written Assignment | Written assignment – two (2) attempts • Written - The preparation of a compliant Statement of Advice for a given client |
Individuals may attempt the exam and/or submit their assignment at any time if they believe they are adequately prepared. Individuals will receive personal reminder emails as they approach their assessment deadlines.
Individuals must be deemed ‘competent’ in all assessment items, including demonstrating competency in all of the exam questions, in order to be awarded their certificate of completion.
Individuals who complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion.
Entry requirements
Education requirements
There are no entry requirements for this course. However, it is recommended that individuals have completed Generic Knowledge in financial planning and have a broad understanding of financial planning fundamentals.
You should confirm your eligibility with your employer or licensee to provide margin lending advice to retail clients.
Individuals are required to be aged 18 years or older to enrol in this course.
Language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) requirements
This course requires you to read comprehensive learner workbooks, complete a range of written assessments, undertake independent research activities, and at times, engage in online forums and discussions. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication.
If you have any doubts about whether you have the language, literacy and numeracy skills to undertake a Kaplan Professional program, we recommend you speak with our Student Services team on 1300 662 203 or email mail@kaplan.edu.au.
Computing requirements
Recommended browsers
You can access KapLearn using any of the browsers below, but it runs best on the latest versions:
- Firefox 3 or later
- Chrome 4 or later
- Safari 3 or later
- Internet Explorer
You may find it helpful to have more than one browser installed on your computer. If you experience problems using Kaplan Professional’s online learning system, try using another browser.
Browser settings and support
For the best user experience in Kaplan Professional’s online learning system, select the following browser settings:
- Enable cookies
- Enable JavaScript
- Do not block pop-up windows
Skills requirement
To successfully complete this course, individuals will require basic computing skills. This may include:
- Saving and editing Microsoft Office documents
- Researching, accessing and searching the internet
- Downloading and saving documents from websites
- Uploading documents through websites
- Participating in online discussions
There are no entry requirements for this course. However, it is recommended that individuals have completed Generic Knowledge in financial planning and have a broad understanding of financial planning fundamentals.
You should confirm your eligibility with your employer or licensee to provide margin lending advice to retail clients.
Individuals are required to be aged 18 years or older to enrol in this course.
This course requires you to read comprehensive learner workbooks, complete a range of written assessments, undertake independent research activities, and at times, engage in online forums and discussions. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication.
If you have any doubts about whether you have the language, literacy and numeracy skills to undertake a Kaplan Professional program, we recommend you speak with our Student Services team on 1300 662 203 or email mail@kaplan.edu.au.
Recommended browsers
You can access KapLearn using any of the browsers below, but it runs best on the latest versions:
- Firefox 3 or later
- Chrome 4 or later
- Safari 3 or later
- Internet Explorer
You may find it helpful to have more than one browser installed on your computer. If you experience problems using Kaplan Professional’s online learning system, try using another browser.
Browser settings and support
For the best user experience in Kaplan Professional’s online learning system, select the following browser settings:
- Enable cookies
- Enable JavaScript
- Do not block pop-up windows
To successfully complete this course, individuals will require basic computing skills. This may include:
- Saving and editing Microsoft Office documents
- Researching, accessing and searching the internet
- Downloading and saving documents from websites
- Uploading documents through websites
- Participating in online discussions
Enrolment information
You may enrol in this course at any time and begin studying immediately on enrolment.
To enrol online, please follow these steps:
- In the ‘category’ drop-down list select, Financial Services
- In the ‘Search by’ drop-down list, select subject
- If you just click search, this will show all subjects and you will be able to enrol in multiple subjects
Or
- You can search for the specific subject you are wishing to enrol in by entering the name of the subject and clicking search.
This course is delivered online via Kaplan Professional’s learning management system, KapLearn.
You will receive login details to KapLearn on enrolment. When you log on to KapLearn, you are able to access the subject notes, assessments, additional learning materials (such as media, case studies and practise activities) and your online tutor.
Assessments are accessed and submitted through KapLearn.
Corporate clients should contact our Corporate Solutions team at corporate@kaplan.edu.au to discuss delivery options and how we can further tailor our training to meet your business needs.
Policies
Student policies
Individuals who enrol in a Kaplan Professional course are bound by our published policies, including the policy that sets out our rules for assessment. Individuals can review these policies here. The policies also assist individuals when their study program does not go as planned and they need extra support.
Terms and conditions
Click here to access our terms and conditions.
Refund policy
Access our refund policy.
Fees
Enrol directly into the program for $265 (GST inclusive).
For additional study-related fees, please click here.