Key facts
English language requirements
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
Duration
1 year part-time
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Be ready for Australia's financial planning reforms by studying Deakin's Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning. Develop the decision-making skills needed to provide practical and professionally responsible financial advice to your clients.
If you're a financial planner returning to study, why not choose a course that's purpose-built to help you meet the industry's changing education requirements and build upon your professional knowledge and skills?
Designed to meet the current and future needs of the industry, the course places a strong emphasis on preparing professionally responsible financial planners, both in an ethical and compliance sense. As a graduate you'll have gained valuable new skills and knowledge, in particular relating to:
- ethics for financial services
- financial behaviour and decision making
- financial services regulation.
The Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning incorporates the Financial Adviser Standards' (FAS) three bridging units, providing advisers with an opportunity to complete the bridging units and gain a formal qualification.
As a graduate, you may articulate into Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning or Master of Financial Planning.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- M569
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning, students must attain a total of 4 credit points, consisting of 3 credit points of core units and a one credit point elective unit chosen from a specified list, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, MAI010 Academic Integrity Module. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point.
3
Core units
1
Elective units
4
Total units
Core units
*MAI and MLI codes denote Intensive versions of the units.
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Elective units
Plus a 1 credit point elective unit from:
*FAS approved unit (Financial Advice Capstone subject). Please contact the Course Director to discuss enrolment.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
Please note: This course is only available for part-time study.
International students should note that, due to visa regulations, this course can only be undertaken while living outside Australia.
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Work experience
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
Entry requirements
Entry information
Minimum admission criteria:
- Bachelor degree in any discipline OR
- at least two years relevant professional work experience^ OR
- evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent
^ Relevant work experience is determined as working within a financial services role or within the financial services sector.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit Deakin Policy Library.
IELTS / English language requirements
Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.
It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that she/he has the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses.
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course within the same year in which they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about tuition fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Entry pathways
Further study options
M669 Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning
M769 Master of Financial Planning
Careers
Career outcomes
Whether you’re currently working in the industry or looking to move into a financial planning role, you’ll be prepared to excel in a variety of positions including:
- financial adviser/planner
- insurance adviser
- paraplanner
- business development manager
- superannuation consultant
- portfolio analyst
- investment banker
- claims administrator
- compliance manager
- risk adviser.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Graduate Learning Outcome | Course Learning Outcome |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate the application of core financial planning concepts and theories in authentic contexts; and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of regulatory, ethical and legal obligations for financial advisers |
| Communication | Apply appropriate communication skills within the context of providing advice on financial matters |
| Digital literacy | Effectively and critically navigate, evaluate and create information using a range of digital technologies |
| Critical thinking | Analyse critically, evaluate and express sound judgement, ideas and reflection in relation to a range of core financial planning issues |
| Problem solving | Summarise and explain the financial planning issue to be solved and apply the financial tools necessary to reach a solution |
| Self-management | Develop skills necessary for independent study and learning in the field of financial planning |
| Teamwork | Develop skills necessary for independent study and learning in the field of financial planning |
| Global citizenship | Engage ethically, professionally and productively in work and a professional context, in a manner reflective of an understanding of ethical principles, a systematic knowledge of professional codes of conduct |
Events Explore more events
