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Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning

Postgraduate coursework

Build the knowledge and skills required of a professional financial planner to enter the profession or expand your career opportunities.

This course is only available for domestic students.

Key facts

Duration

1 year full-time or part-time equivalent

Key dates

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2024 are closed.

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 16 February 2025

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 fully accredited and approved degree, that enables you to either enter the financial planning profession or expand upon existing career opportunities and accreditation requirements.

Interested in a qualification that enhances and further develops your core financial planning competencies?

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is accredited as a FAS-approved degree therefore providing you with a pathway to progress your career as a professional financial planner

If you're a current financial planner returning to study, you will 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 will 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 - as well as the practical application of concepts to work-based problems. 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.

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Course information

Award granted
Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning
Year

2025 course information

Deakin code
M669
Level
Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
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 point of course elective units chosen from a specified list, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point

7

Core units

1

Elective units

8

Total units

Core units

  • Estate Planning and Risk Management Strategies *
  • Financial Behaviour and Decision Making *
  • Financial Planning and Economic Fundamentals
  • Superannuation and Retirement Planning
  • Ethics for Financial Services *
  • Principles of Income Tax Law
  • Business Law
  • *MAI code denotes Intensive version of the unit.

    Compulsory 0-credit point module

    To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin
  • Course elective units

    Plus 1 credit points of course elective units from:

  • Financial Advice Regulation
  • Financial Planning Development
  • 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:
      • Burwood (Melbourne)
      • Online

    Trimester 2 - July

    • Start date: July
    • Available at:
      • Burwood (Melbourne)
      • Online

    Trimester 3 - November

    • Start date: November
    • Available at:
      • Burwood (Melbourne)
      • Online

    Please note: This course is only available for part-time study in Trimester 3

    Course duration

    Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing 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

    You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. 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 standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.

    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

    Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

    A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

    Academic requirements

    To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

    • completion of a bachelor degree or higher
    • at least two years’ relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)

    English language proficiency requirements

    To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

    Admissions information

    Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

    Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

    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 (RPL) 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

    Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
    $29,800 for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
    Learn more about fees and your options for paying.

    The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.

    The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within 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 fees and available payment options.

    FEE-HELP calculator

    What is FEE-HELP?

    FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $54,435.

    Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2025 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.

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    • $* is the estimated full cost for a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning (8 credit points), based on the 2025 fees.
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    *Disclaimer

    Deakin University (Deakin):

    • gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
    • advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
    • instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.

    This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.

    Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.

    The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:

    • does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
    • does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
    • assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
    • assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
    • assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
    • where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.

    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.

    Search or browse through our scholarships

    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.

    Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

    Apply now

    Apply directly to Deakin

    To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.

    Need more information on how to apply?

    For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.

    Pathways

    This course can be a pathway to:

    Master of Financial Planning (M769)

     

    Alternative exits

    Contact information

    Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.

    Careers

    Career outcomes

    Increasing demand by clients for financial advice and recently introduced education reforms have created an increased demand for registered financial planners with a high-level understanding of what it means to provide responsible and professional advice.

    Whether you’re currently working in the industry or looking to move into a financial planning role, you will prepared to excel in a variety of positions, including:

    • business development manager
    • claims administrator
    • compliance manager
    • financial adviser
    • insurance adviser
    • paraplanner
    • personal financial planner
    • risk adviser
    • superannuation consultant.

    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 Advice Association of Australia (this recently established organisation was formed as a result of a merger between the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and 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.

    Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes
    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