Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning

The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning at TAFE NSW is a one-year qualification for people who want to work as financial advisers in Australia. It sits at the graduate diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it comes after a bachelor degree and before a master's. You'll study the areas the profession actually uses day to day: financial planning principles, investment and portfolio management, insurance and risk, retirement and superannuation, taxation law as it applies to advice, and the ethical and regulatory framework that governs the industry. Assessment is typically a mix of assignments, case studies and exams rather than one big final test.

How the course is structured

Australian graduate diplomas are usually made up of eight units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, delivered over two semesters or trimesters. TAFE NSW Higher Education runs this course through its higher education arm, so you get the practical teaching style of TAFE with the academic rigour of a graduate qualification. Some units may be offered online or in a blended format, which suits people already working in the industry. Confirm the exact unit list, delivery mode and semester dates on the official TAFE NSW course page, because these details can change.

Skills you build

You'll learn how to prepare a statement of advice, research and compare financial products, apply the Corporations Act and ASIC requirements to real client situations, and work through complex retirement and superannuation decisions. There's a strong emphasis on professional ethics and on meeting the education standards set for financial advisers in Australia. By the end, you should be able to sit in front of a client, ask the right questions and put together advice that stands up to regulatory scrutiny.

Who it suits

This course suits three groups. First, people already working in financial services, paraplanners, bank staff, accountants, who need the formal qualification to become an adviser. Second, career changers with a degree in another field who want to move into financial planning. Third, international students who want an Australian qualification in a regulated profession. If you're an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work in Australia, depending on your circumstances. English entry is usually IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall for coursework postgraduate study, but check the current requirement on the official page. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register.

• Financial adviser or financial planner, working with individual clients on superannuation, investments, insurance and retirement planning, often in a boutique firm or a large advice practice.
• Paraplanner, preparing research, modelling and advice documents behind the scenes for senior advisers.
• Superannuation consultant, helping members and employers with super fund products, contributions and retirement income streams.
• Insurance and risk adviser, assessing personal and business insurance needs and recommending cover.
• Bank or wealth management specialist, providing financial advice within a bank, credit union or wealth management business.
• Estate planning support, working alongside solicitors and accountants on estate and succession matters.

Australian industries that hire graduates include financial planning firms, superannuation funds, banks, insurance companies, accounting practices and wealth management businesses. The financial advice sector is regulated by ASIC, and advisers must meet education and professional standards, so this qualification is a practical step toward meeting those requirements.