Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning |
| Deakin course code | M569 |
| Course Credit Points | 4 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2024 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | 1 year part-time |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2026 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
| Supplementary Information | Please note: This course is only available for part-time study. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
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.
Want to meet the industry's evolving education standards while building the core skills to support a career in financial planning?
Designed to meet the current and future needs of the industry, the course places a strong emphasis on providing career changers with the foundational skills required of a professional financial planner. As a graduate you will have gained valuable knowledge particular relating to:
- ethics for financial services
- financial planning fundamentals
- superannuation and retirement planning.
As a graduate, you may articulate into Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning with full credit transfer, giving you a streamlined pathway to further study.
Indicative student 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.
Career opportunities
Whether you are currently working in the financial services industry or a career changer looking to move into a financial planning role, this course prepares you to enter a variety of entry-level or support roles within the financial services sector. You will graduate with foundational skills that provide a pathway into further study or industry roles such as:
-
client services officer / administrator
-
paraplanner
-
business development support officer
-
claims administrator
-
compliance support officer
-
insurance adviser (personal risk)
-
superannuation support consultant
This qualification also offers a stepping stone into the Graduate Diploma or Master of Financial Planning, where you can build on your expertise and pursue more advanced roles.
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. More information available at Disability support services.
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.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to:
Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning (M669)
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning students must pass 4 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 3 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of course elective units
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Note:
- This course is part-time only
Course structure
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Core units
| MAA745 | Financial Planning and Economic Fundamentals |
| MAA719 | Superannuation and Retirement Planning |
| MAA769 | Ethics for Financial Services |
Course elective units
Plus a 1 credit point elective unit from:
| MAA728 | Financial Behaviour and Decision Making |
| MAA700 | Estate Planning and Risk Management Strategies |
| MLC703 | Principles of Income Tax Law |
| MLC707 | Business Law |
Work experience
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin.