As the leading professional membership and education body for the insurance and financial services industry the Institute is uniquely placed to offer a range of professional solutions to financial planners.
From professional recognition through Institute membership to internationally recognised qualifications and practical, day-to-day professional development activities the Institute offers the financial planners the best mix of quality and affordable services.
The Institute offers two professional qualifications in Financial Planning:
The Institute’s Diploma of Financial Planning offers an internationally-recognised qualification that will satisfy RG 146 compliance and the skills and knowledge requirements of a modern Australian Financial Planner with the flexibility to add customised specialist product compliance at any time.
On successful completion of the Diploma students will be able to demonstrate the fundamental knowledge required for working in the financial services industry, understand how to research and evaluate investment products within Australia, understand the function and purpose of superannuation and retirement products, and insurance (both general and life) products.
Completion of this provides Senior Associate CIP membership of the Institute – the benchmark for industry professionalism.
| Fee |
Contact the Client Solutions team for more information. |
| Traineeship |
Government funding may be available for eligible Australian students. Please contact the Client Solutions team for more information. |
| Duration |
FP501 Financial Planning: 12 weeks
Core Diploma and Optional elective modules: 7 weeks
FPBF51 Business Fundamentals in Financial Planning – Level 5: 4-6 hours |
| Delivery |
Distance Learning |
| Assessment |
Assessment for each module consists of:
- a case study based assignment
- an examination containing multiple choice, short answer and case study based questions. Find out more ... |
| Membership Outcome |
Senior Associate CIP |
| ASIC Compliance |
Diploma: Financial Planning, Managed Investments, Superannuation, Life Insurance. Optional elective modules: Securities and/or Derivatives. |
| Further Education |
Successful completion of the Diploma of Financial Planning provides you with entry into the Institute’s Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning. |
Course content
To be awarded the Diploma, students must complete the following five core modules. There is also the option to complete two additional elective modules to broaden your specialist adviser knowledge and gain compliance in securities and/or derivatives, however this is not a compulsory requirement of the Diploma.
Core modules
Optional elective modules
FP503 Securities
FP504 Derivatives
The Institute’s Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning focuses on client-centered advice and management processes, and is essential in developing the skills and knowledge of experienced financial planners who are serious about their career prospects.
| Fee |
Contact the Client Solutions team for more information. |
| Duration |
Three modules – Each Study Period lasts 12 weeks. (Students are able to study more than one module per Study Period.) |
| Delivery |
Distance Learning |
| Assessment |
Assessment for each module consists of:
- a case study based assignment
- an examination containing multiple choice, short answer and
case study based questions. Find out more ... |
| Membership Outcome |
Senior Associate CIP |
| Prerequisite |
Diploma of Financial Planning |
| Further Education |
Studies in the Advanced Diploma provide credit towards ACU’s Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Services), Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration/Financial Services; CSU’s Master of Applied Finance (Financial Planning) and Deakin University’s Master of Financial Planning. Find out more... |
Course content
FP601 Understanding Your Client
FP602 Innovative Financial Planning Strategies
FP603 Providing Professional Guidance