Deakin University

Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Certificate

Develop foundational financial planning knowledge and practical decision-making skills to support client-focused advice services and progress towards further professional study.

Course overview

Prepare to enter or progress within the financial services sector with Deakin University’s Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning. Designed for career changers and existing industry professionals, the course develops the foundational knowledge and practical judgement needed to support financial advice and client decision-making.

You will explore financial planning and economic fundamentals, superannuation, retirement planning and the ethical and regulatory responsibilities of financial services professionals. Through practical client scenarios, you will strengthen your communication, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities while tailoring part of your studies through a relevant elective.

Delivered online over one year of part-time study, the course prepares you for entry-level and support opportunities across financial planning, insurance, superannuation and compliance. It also provides a pathway to Deakin University’s Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, an approved qualification for students seeking to progress towards a career as a professional financial planner.

Key facts

Delivery
Online
Course Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
More Information
Not available full-time
12 months (Part time)
Price Per Unit
From $3,950
More Information
The estimated fee is determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
Intake
February, 2027
June, 2027
November, 2026
October, 2027
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
4
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
FEE-HELP

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning, you must successfully complete units totalling 4 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 1 credit point.

Core units

  • Financial Planning and Economic Fundamentals
  • Superannuation and Retirement Planning
  • Ethics for Financial Services

Elective units

Select one credit point from the following electives:

  • Financial Behaviour and Decision Making
  • Estate Planning and Risk Management Strategies
  • Principles of Income Tax Law
  • Business Law

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To be eligible for this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher.
  • At least two years of relevant work experience or part-time equivalent.

The university considers applicants’ academic history, work and life experience and individual circumstances. Meeting the minimum academic and English language requirements does not guarantee admission.

English language requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of at least one of the following:

  • A bachelor’s degree completed in a recognised English-speaking country.
  • An IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no individual band score below 6.0, or an accepted equivalent.
  • Other accepted evidence of English language proficiency.

Contact the university for further information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

  • 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.
  • Effectively and critically navigate, evaluate and create information using a range of digital technologies.
  • Analyse critically, evaluate and express sound judgement, ideas and reflection in relation to a range of core financial planning issues.
  • Develop skills necessary for independent study and learning in the field of financial planning.
  • Engage ethically, professionally and productively in work and a professional context, in a manner reflective of an understanding of ethical principles and a systematic knowledge of professional codes of conduct.

Career outcomes

Potential roles:

  • Business development support officer
  • Claims administrator
  • Client services officer or administrator
  • Compliance support officer
  • Insurance adviser specialising in personal risk
  • Paraplanner
  • Superannuation support consultant

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $15,800 (Full-fee paying place)

Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

  • The number of units studied.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.