Key facts
Duration
Locations
There is currently no intake into this course.
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Designed to meet the education requirements of Australia’s new financial planning standards authority, the Master of Financial Planning will provide you with innovative and applied financial planning education solutions by combining ethical decision-making with modern financial advice strategies.
Ready to secure your future and build a successful career with a degree that meets new requirements in a rapidly evolving industry?
Recent changes to the Australian finance services industry require financial planners to meet new education standards set by the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS). Deakin’s Master of Financial Planning course is accredited as a FAS-approved degree therefore providing you with a pathway to progress your career as a professional financial planner.
More than just a pathway towards becoming a registered financial planner, this course will enable you to take your financial planning skills and knowledge to new heights. As a graduate, you will be empowered to provide better solutions for your clients and enhance your employability skills and career opportunities. Apply, analyse and relate financial planning principles throughout projects and case studies that simulate real industry scenarios, better preparing you for tomorrow’s financial planning challenges. You will be introduced to a range of discipline areas including investments and portfolio theory, superannuation and retirement planning, insurance, estate planning. ethics, financial advice regulation and behavioural finance.
Learn how to apply advanced principles to meet client needs and the technical skills required to utilise the latest digital tools. Importantly, the course also places a strong emphasis on the professional responsibilities of the modern financial planner, both in an ethical and a compliance sense. Industry reforms have created an increased demand for ethical decision-makers, putting Deakin graduates in a strong position to stand out from the pack.
Better still, you will be learning alongside industry-active academics who are leaders in the field. Build relationships with your teachers. Get constructive feedback on industry expectations. Take your career forward.
Course information
Course structure
To complete the Master of Financial Planning, you must pass 8 or 12 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
A 12-credit point Master of Financial Planning includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 11 credit pints of core units
- 1 credit points of course elective units.
Most units are equal to one credit point.
As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
11
Core units
1
Elective units
12
Total units
Core units
- Financial Behaviour and Decision Making *
- Ethics for Financial Services *
- Financial Advice Regulation
- Estate Planning and Risk Management Strategies *
- Superannuation and Retirement Planning
- Financial Planning and Economic Fundamentals
- Principles of Income Tax Law
- Business Law
- Financial Planning Development 1,(Capstone)
- Investments and Portfolio Management
Core Capstone Unit:
- Professional Research and Analysis (Capstone)
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
Course elective units
Plus a 1 credit point course elective unit from:
- Managing Intergenerational Wealth
- Financial Markets and Digital Innovations
- Property and Real Estate Context
- Accounting
- Internship
Or another postgraduate unit with prior written approval of the Course Director
1 FAS approved unit (Financial Advice Capstone subject)
* MAI and MLI codes denote Intensive versions of the units.
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.
Please note the final intake into Master of Financial Planning is Trimester 1 2024. Intake suspended from Trimester 2 2024, onwards.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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 provides students the opportunity to complete one or more elective work integrated learning units.
Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.
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 in a related discipline*
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline, plus two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)^
* Examples of related discipline areas include, but not limited to a business discipline.
^ Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to working within a financial services role or within the financial services sector.
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:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
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
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 first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. 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.
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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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.
Pathways
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.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Career outcomes
Recent 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.
The Master 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 will be prepared to excel in a variety of positions, including:
- business development manager
- claims administrator
- compliance manager
- financial adviser
- insurance adviser
- paraplanner
- risk adviser
- superannuation consultant.
Professional recognition
AACSB and EQUIS Accredited
Deakin Business School holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide
FAS approved Course
The Master of Financial Planning is a FAS-approved course. 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).
Professional pathways
The Master of Financial Planning provides advanced standing into the CFP® Certification Program offered by the Financial Advice Association of Australia Limited.
Tax Practitioners Board (TPB)
Completion of Principles of Income Tax Law and Business Law units approved by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB), will meet the education requirements to provide tax (financial) advice services.
Course learning outcomes
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