Deakin University
Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
- Course Type: Graduate Diploma
Learn to develop tailored financial strategies by combining technical planning knowledge with ethical judgement, regulatory awareness and an understanding of client behaviour.
Course overview
Prepare for the professional responsibilities of financial planning with Deakin University’s Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning. Designed for both aspiring and existing financial services professionals, the course develops the technical knowledge, analytical judgement and client-focused capabilities needed to navigate complex advice scenarios.
Under the guidance of industry-active teachers, you will examine the principles, regulations and professional practices that shape financial planning. Learn to assess client needs and develop tailored strategies across superannuation, retirement, taxation, estate planning and personal risk while considering the behavioural factors that influence financial decisions.
The course places strong emphasis on the ethical and compliance responsibilities of financial advisers. Through practical, applied learning, you will use contemporary digital tools, work through realistic client scenarios and strengthen your ability to explain complex information and justify financial recommendations.
Delivered online, the course can be completed in one year full-time or part-time equivalent. It is an approved qualification under Australia’s financial adviser education standards. Graduates must also satisfy further requirements, including the financial adviser exam, a professional year, authorisation by an Australian financial services licensee and ASIC registration, before providing unsupervised personal advice.
Key facts
February, 2027
June, 2027
October, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, you must successfully complete units totalling 8 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 1 credit point.
Core units
- Estate Planning and Risk Management Strategies
- Financial Behaviour and Decision Making
- Financial Planning and Economic Fundamentals
- Superannuation and Retirement Planning
- Ethics for Financial Services
- Principles of Income Tax Law
- Business Law
Elective units
Select one credit point from the following:
- Financial Advice Regulation
- Financial Planning Development
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be eligible for this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
- Have at least two years of relevant work experience, or part-time equivalent.
Selection also considers academic history, work and life experience and individual circumstances. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Deakin does not publish a course-specific definition or examples of relevant work experience for this course.
English language requirements
Applicants must provide evidence of at least one of the following:
- A bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country.
- An IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no 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 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.
Career outcomes
As a graduate of this course, career options may include:
- Client services officer or administrator
- Paraplanner
- Associate financial adviser or planner
- Associate insurance adviser specialising in life, income protection or total and permanent disability insurance
- 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.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2027: $33,000 (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.