Key facts
English language requirements
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
Duration
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Build upon the core knowledge and skills required of a professional financial planner by studying Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning. Graduate with a FAS-approved degree, that enables you to either enter the financial planning profession or expand upon existing career opportunities.
Interested in a qualification that not only meets minimum education requirements but also enhances and further develops your core financial planning competencies?
Recent changes to the Australian financial services industry require financial planners to meet new education standards set by the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS). What does this mean for current and aspiring financial planners? If you want to provide financial advice beyond 2026, you'll need to complete a FAS-approved course like our Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning.
If you're a current financial planner returning to study, you'll develop and refine your knowledge and analytical skills to better support the needs of your clients. Whether you're looking to start your career in financial planning or progress it, under the guidance of industry-active teachers you'll learn about:
- the theoretical principles underlying the rules, regulations and practices that apply in financial planning
- the digital tools of the modern financial planner
- the application of knowledge in an applied and practical learning environment.
Importantly, the course places a strong emphasis on the professional responsibilities of the modern financial planner, both in an ethical and compliance sense. Industry reforms have created an increased demand for ethical decision-makers, putting Deakin financial planning graduates in a strong position to stand out from the pack.
As a graduate, you may articulate into Deakin’s Master of Financial Planning.
Course information
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- M669
- 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 Diploma of Financial Planning, students must attain a total of 8 credit points consisting of 7 credit points of core units and 1 credit points of elective units 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
7
Core units
1
Elective units
8
Total units
Core units
*MAI code denotes Intensive version of the unit.
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Elective units
Plus 1 credit points of elective units from:
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 in Trimester 3
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.
Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here:
https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
Entry requirements
Entry information
Admission is based on:
- a Bachelor's degree in any discipline, OR
- a Graduate Certificate in any discipline, OR
- At least two years of 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
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course in the same year 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.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
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
Careers
Career outcomes
From 1 January 2019, FAS’ new education standards come into place and, by 1 January 2026, all financial planners will need an approved qualification. These reforms have created an increased demand for registered financial planners with a high-level understanding of what it means to provide responsible advice.
The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is approved by FAS, ensuring Deakin students graduate with the right qualification and skills to take advantage of this demand.
Whether you’re currently working in the industry or looking to move into a financial planning role, you’ll prepared to excel in a variety of positions, including:
- financial adviser
- insurance adviser
- business development manager
- superannuation consultant
- portfolio analyst
- personal financial planner
- investment banker
- paraplanner
- claims administrator
- compliance manager
- risk adviser.
Professional recognition
The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is a FAS-approved course, making it a recognised pathway towards becoming a registered financial planner.
Graduates will satisfy the education standards prescribed by FAS to be able to provide financial advice in Australia, subject to meeting other registration requirements prescribed by FAS (including completion of a Professional Year for Provisional Relevant Providers and passing a National Adviser Exam).
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning will be eligible to undertake the CFP® program of the Financial Planning Association and the Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner (FChFP) designation offered by the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA).
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 an advanced understanding and application of core financial planning concepts and theories |
| Communication | Apply appropriate communication skills within the context of providing advice on financial matters |
| Digital literacy | Use appropriate digital technologies to identify and disseminate complex information, concepts and theories |
| Critical thinking | Apply a systematic research process and develop a clearly articulated argument to support a view and use it to justify one or more conclusions |
| Problem solving | Apply problem solving skills necessary to conceptualise and solve complex issues in financial planning |
| Self-management | Demonstrate independent study and learning in the field of financial planning |
| Teamwork | Identify challenges associated with organising and managing teams in professional contexts and the importance of providing an instructional framework to nurture teamwork |
| Global citizenship | Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award |
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