Overview 2024
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This course explores important steps in the financial planning process such as gathering qualitative and quantitative data, identifying goals, and recognising financial problems. Key assessments will test your ability to apply financial planning theory to develop strategies and address financial challenges. You will also develop a range of skills and knowledge associated with providing compliant financial advice to clients across different types of financial products.
The Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) has announced mandatory educational requirements and professional standards for the financial advice sector. The University of Tasmania is an approved FASEA Higher Education Provider, which means the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning meets these standards. This includes the FASEA bridging course Ethics for Professional Advisers, which is the minimum requirement for existing advisers.
This is an 8 unit (100 credit point) 1-3 year course of study and is available in both on campus and off campus modes. All units are subject to formal assessment including the completion of continuous assessment such as assignments, and a final examination.
Are you interested in studying the Ethics and Professionalism bridging course or another single unit?
Those who do not wish to complete a Graduate Diploma, but are interested in studying a single unit, you can apply for non-award study.
Key contacts
| Current student enrolment questions and advice | UConnect |
| Course Coordinator | Mr Roger Colbeck |
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to provide a sound understanding of the process of financial planning, together with some of the fundamental skills and knowledge that are required. In line with these objectives, each of the recognised steps in the financial planning process that have been developed by financial planners will be examined in detail, namely: gathering qualitative and quantitative data; identifying goals; identifying financial problems including: setting priorities, deciding on trade offs and considering opportunity costs; preparing or interpreting written recommendations; implementing agreed-upon plans; and, reviewing, revising and maintaining personal financial plans.
The `key areas' that are important for the financial planning process are examined, namely: the regulatory framework; investments; managed funds; superannuation; home ownership; risk management and insurance; taxation; consumer credit; social security; estate planning. The role of institutional culture and organisational systems impacting on ethical practice and the need and opportunity to professionalise financial advice will be examined. Learning and teaching in this program focus on the key areas of financial planning theory, process, strategies and practice.
The program takes a structured, scaffolded approach to its curriculum, where knowledge, skills and graduate attributes are built over time through an integrated and complementary set of financial planning units. The program is based around a dynamic, real world learning approach to student centred education, where students take responsibility for their own learning. Blended learning, as the central teaching and learning philosophy, forms the basis of the learning experience, where the class – whether online or face to face – is a space for in-depth, theory-practice discussion with peers, academic staff and financial planning professionals. The program is designed to develop students’ knowledge and skills to apply financial planning philosophy and theory to analyse, evaluate and develop solutions and strategies to financial planning problems through authentic, problem-based learning.
Graduates will have the capacity to reflect on experiences, and interpret complex information and practices through research and inquiry. Work functions in the occupational areas where this qualification may be used are subject to regulatory requirements.
Learning Outcomes
Career outcomes
Professional Accreditation
The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is an externally accredited degree.
This course is accredited by FASEA and upon completion of the course, graduates meet the Financial Adviser Standards. The Financial Adviser Standards are administered by the Australian government department: Treasury. For further requirements on the Financial Adviser Standards, please visit the Treasury website. Note that there may be additional requirements for becoming a Financial Adviser beyond the completion of the course.
If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information.
Course structure
The Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning consists of 8 core units (100 credit points).
Please note that you may not be able to complete this course in one year (full-time) if commencing in Semester 2 as you will be required to complete BFA508 and BFA509 prior to enrolment in the capstone unit BFA610.
Core units
A comprehensive financial plan will contribute towards the quality of a person's life by reducing the uncertainty about their future needs and the resources that will be available to meet them. This unit is an introductory course examining what is…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for BFA508 Introduction to Financial Planning
Risk management is a complex, progressive and demanding industry based on the protection of individuals, businesses and governments against risk and financial catastrophe. Insurance is the foundation of our lives and the social and economic fabric of our society. This…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit covers a range of interesting legal and financial planning regulatory topics. It teaches students how to analyse and solve legal problems and looks at the regulatory obligations that are imposed upon financial planners. It equips students with basic…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for BFA514 Commercial Law and Financial Services Regulation
The study of ethics, from the Greek meaning ‘character’, may be defined as the philosophical enquiry into theories of human conduct: establishing what is morally right as opposed to what is morally wrong. Ethics may be simply described as moral…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
In this unit, you will be introduced to the basic principles of investing. A discussion will be made of the main characteristics of investments with an emphasis on risk and return and the trade-off between the two. The unit focuses…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
| ECA Melbourne | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit provides background information on the demographic trends in Australia and gives an overview of the compulsory superannuation system that operates within Australia. Within the financial planning industry, retirement planning forms an important part of advisory services. This unit…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit is intended to help you understand the nature of taxation and the taxation system in Australia. The unit introduces you to the core concepts in Australian taxation and identifies the framework (both legal and administrative) behind such concepts.…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
The purpose of this unit is to provide you with guidelines on how to communicate effectively with your clients and to ensure that you have the appropriate information from them to provide them with the best possible advice in your…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
For entry into the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, students must meet the following criteria:
- Completed an undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an approved tertiary institution; or
- Completed a Graduate Certificate, or equivalent, from an approved tertiary institution; or
- Have qualifications, relevant work experience or other special circumstances, as approved by the Executive Dean or delegated authority.
For International students
For entry into the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, students must meet the following criteria:
- Completed an undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an approved tertiary institution; or
- Completed a Graduate Certificate, or equivalent, from an approved tertiary institution; or
- Have qualifications, relevant work experience or other special circumstances, as approved by the Executive Dean or delegated authority.
In addition to the requirements for Domestic applicants, International applicants must provide one of the following:
- Successful completion of English for Academic Purposes 2 at the University of Tasmania with a minimum overall score of 65% (no individual score less than 60%);
- An IELTS score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
- A TOEFL (iBT) overall score of 88 (no individual skill below: Reading 16; Listening 16; Speaking 18; Writing 22);
- A PTE Academic 58 with no score lower than 50
These tests must not be more than 24 months old.
UTAS also accepts approved Prior Studies in English (https://www.utas.edu.au/international/applying/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements)
Credit transfer
The College of Business & Economics approves the following exceptions to the CLTC Credit Guidelines for existing advisors as defined by FASEA.
- All credit applications for existing advisors will be considered by the course coordinator in accordance with FASEA guidelines.
- Clause 3.7 shall not apply to existing advisors, who may be granted credit on the basis of an AQF 7 or lower award in accordance with FASEA guidelines.
- Clause 4.1 shall not apply to existing advisors, who may be granted credit on the basis of study undertaken beyond 10 years where they are defined by FASEA as an existing advisor.
Credit for new entrants will be considered in accordance with the University of Tasmania’s Student Participation and Attainment Ordinance.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
This is a full-fee course, which means you’ll need to pay the full amount for your studies. Commonwealth Supported Places are not available in this course. However, there are still support options available for eligible students to help you manage the cost of studying this course.
You may be able to fund all or part of your tuition fees by accessing a FEE-HELP loan from the Australian Government. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists domestic full-fee students to pay for University, which is repaid through the Australian Tax System once you earn above a repayment threshold. This means you’ll only have to start repaying the loan once you start earning above a specific amount
Our scholarships and prizes program also offers more than 400 scholarships across all areas of study. You can even apply for multiple scholarships in one easy application.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
2024 Total Course Fee (international students): $37,950 AUD*.
Course cost based on a rate of $37,950 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries