Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning |
| Course credit points | 8 |
| Deakin course code | M669 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Business and Law |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2019 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon 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
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Prepare for a standout financial planning career with a Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) recognised qualification from a leading business school. Whether you're looking to start your career or progress it, you will gain in-depth, relevant learning from professionally active teachers in a long-standing program with strong industry connections.
Build sound professional foundations, understanding the principles underlying financial planning rules, regulations and practices. Learn essential digital tools and specialist capabilities through applied and practical studies in superannuation, taxation, estate planning and behavioural finance.
You will develop the ethical and human insight needed to design tailored financial strategies in complex advice scenarios, analysing client needs and applying regulatory frameworks.
Graduate ready to provide financial advice, meeting the industry’s ethical and compliance standards, and progress towards professional financial planning roles.
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
Career opportunities
Whether you are currently working in the 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 Business Administration or the Master of Business 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.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to:
Master of Business Administration (M701)
(Please note that applicants must also meet all the admission requirements for the course.)
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning (M569) |
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Demonstrate an advanced understanding and application of core financial planning concepts and theories |
| Apply appropriate communication skills within the context of providing advice on financial matters |
| Use appropriate digital technologies to identify and disseminate complex information, concepts and theories |
| Apply a systematic research process and develop a clearly articulated argument to support a view and use it to justify one or more conclusions |
| Apply problem solving skills necessary to conceptualise and solve complex issues in financial planning |
| Demonstrate independent study and learning in the field of financial planning |
| Identify challenges associated with organising and managing teams in professional contexts and the importance of providing an instructional framework to nurture teamwork |
| Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning you must pass 8 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.
An 8-credit point Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 7 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point 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.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
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 electives
Plus 1 credit points of course elective units from:
| MLC714 | Financial Advice Regulation not offered in 2026 |
| 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. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.