Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning |
| Deakin course code | M669 |
| Course Credit Points | 8 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2019 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| 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 in Trimester 3 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
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.
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.
Interested in a qualification that enhances and further develops your core financial planning competencies?
If you are 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.
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.
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 for advanced standing into the CFP® Certification Program
Career opportunities
Whether you are currently working in financial services industry or a career changer looking to transition into the financial planning profession, this course equips you with the knowledge and skills to work in a range of mid-level advisory or specialist roles.
Graduates are well positioned for roles such as:
- client services officer or administrator
-
paraplanner
-
associate financial adviser or planner
-
associate insurance adviser (life, income protection, TPD)
-
compliance manager
-
business development manager
-
claims administrator
-
superannuation consultant
-
client relationship officer
This qualification is accredited as a FAS-approved degree which is required to be able to practice as a financial adviser in Australia. The course may also be used as a pathway to the Master of Financial Planning for those seeking further professional growth.
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.
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.
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning (M569) |
Course Learning Outcomes
| 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 |
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning students must pass 8 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
- 7 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.
Course structure
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Core units
| MAA700 | Estate Planning and Risk Management Strategies |
| MAA728 | Financial Behaviour and Decision Making |
| MAA745 | Financial Planning and Economic Fundamentals |
| MAA719 | Superannuation and Retirement Planning |
| MAA769 | Ethics for Financial Services |
| MLC703 | Principles of Income Tax Law |
| MLC707 | Business Law |
Course elective units
Plus 1 credit points of course elective units from:
| MLC714 | Financial Advice Regulation |
| MAA727 | Financial Planning Development |
Work experience
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
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.
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.