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Financial Planning
Discipline info for International students
Interested in Financial Planning?
Graduate as a qualified financial planner with a UniSA Online degree approved by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA).
UniSA Online's Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning), Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and bridging courses within the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning have been approved by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA). This means you'll be equipped with the educational requirements to practice as a qualified financial planner under new Australian regulations.
Changes to professional standards set by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) will have a significant impact on new and existing financial planners. Under new education standards, people looking to start their career as a financial planner will need to study a FASEA-approved degree from January 2019, while existing financial planners will need to complete a FASEA-approved degree by 2026 in order to continue practising.
Within the context of a changing landscape, we’ll provide you with the most up-to-date information on FASEA’s new education requirements. With the help of our expert academics and industry connections, we’ve collated everything you need know about your financial planning degree.
Download the UniSA Financial Planning brochure (PDF, 752 KB) for more information.
UniSA Online offers the following Financial Planning degrees
Choose your level of study
What study option is right for me?
Swipe table right 
Who is this degree for? |
FASEA approved degree |
Duration |
100% online |
Credit offered |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning |
Existing adviser with a relevant degree and CFP certification (and is only required to do complete bridging courses to meet FASEA requirements). New entrants into the industry with no degree and looking for a pathway into a Masters degree. |  |
6 months full-time (or part-time equivalent) |
 |
|
Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning |
New entrant into the industry with a relevant degree. Existing adviser with a non-relevant degree. Existing adviser with no degree. | |
12 months full-time (or part-time equivalent) |
|
|
Master of Finance (Financial Planning) |
New entrants into the industry with a bachelor degree or higher, or completed a Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning. | |
2 years full-time (or part time equivalent). Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning can complete in 1.5 years. Refer to website for full details. | (Offered through UniSA Business School) |
|
Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning) |
New entrant into the industry with no experience. | |
3 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) |
|
|
Bridging courses
If you’re an existing financial adviser, you’ll have the option to study FASEA-approved bridging courses that are embedded within our financial planning programs. Depending on your individual requirements, you’ll study either one FASEA-approved bridging course (ethics and professionalism), or all three of bridging courses outlined below, plus an additional elective (if this is required). Please refer to FASEA’s education requirements for further info.
- Ethics and professionalism
Our ethics and professionalism course develops your understanding of the complexities and importance of ethical principles and corporate governance in a demanding global business environment. You’ll cover topics such as ethical factors influencing the performance of financial services, ethical decision-making models, as well as FASEA and the professional code of ethics. - Financial advice regulatory and legal obligations
The financial advice regulatory and legal obligations course equips you with the knowledge and practical skills required to comply with Australia’s financial services legal and regulatory regimes. You’ll analyse the law governing financial products and advice, financial licensing and the professional standards that apply to financial intermediaries. - Behavioural finance: client and consumer behaviour
Understanding client behaviours and communication styles is critical for future financial advisers to build and maintain long-term relationships. You’ll learn to apply behavioural and psychological insights to better understand client needs and provide tailored advice for people with all levels of financial literacy.
What others are saying
“I have over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, including ten years working in Sydney as a Financial Services Executive. I was honoured to be awarded the Financial Standard’s Power50 most influential financial advisers in Australia for 2018. I am currently a Principal Adviser and founder of GAP Financial. My role at UniSA allows me to bring my industry experience to develop course content that is relevant and practical for current and aspiring financial planners. Students will learn best-practice processes and client strategies using real-world case studies taken from the industry.”
“Having a FASEA-approved qualification is now imperative to a successful career as a financial adviser. The new FASEA requirements will effectively reshape Australia’s network of financial advisers. Financial planners who are able to adapt to change, continually learn new things, possess good communication skills, and demonstrate flexibility and resilience will be the most successful in their career.”
“My UniSA degree parchment hangs proudly in my office along with my Advanced Diploma of Financial Services and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) certificates. Clients express satisfaction in knowing that they are dealing with someone who has passed the academic requirements to hold the industry’s highest qualifications and be at the forefront of technical knowledge and skills. In an ever-changing environment, continual learning represents commitment to being the best I can be for myself, my business and my clients.”
Other Financial Planning study options
Having a recognised qualification is now more important than ever for a successful career in financial planning. People looking to start their career as a financial adviser will need to study an FASEA approved degree from 2019. If you’re currently working in financial planning, you’ll need to meet FASEA’s new education requirements by 2026 in order to continue practising.
Download the UniSA Financial Planning brochure (PDF, 752 KB) for more information.
UniSA offers a range of other Financial Planning degrees that can be studied off-campus. Note: some on-campus study may be required.