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- Learn the latest processes, concepts, and techniques in financial planning.
- Develop digital competencies and in-demand transferable skills in effective communication, financial analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, interpersonal relationships, and ethical awareness.
- Build expertise in the fields of taxation, cash flow modelling, superannuation, insurance, and investment planning to suit a diverse range of clients and contexts.
- Be taught by expert academics and industry leaders who bring valuable real-world experience to the classroom.
- Strengthen your confidence and be fully prepared for the Financial Adviser Exam with access to many exam preparation resources and workshops.
- Fulfil the educational qualifications and standards set by Financial Advisor Standards (FAS), the first step towards being properly authorised to provide financial advice to retail clients.
- QUT Business School has been ranked number 1 in Queensland and number 3 in Australia for postgraduate studies in AFR’s BOSS Best Business School 2022 rankings.
Program overview
- Learn the latest processes, concepts, and techniques in financial planning.
- Develop digital competencies and in-demand transferable skills in effective communication, financial analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, interpersonal relationships, and ethical awareness.
- Build expertise in the fields of taxation, cash flow modelling, superannuation, insurance, and investment planning to suit a diverse range of clients and contexts.
- Be taught by expert academics and industry leaders who bring valuable real-world experience to the classroom.
- Strengthen your confidence and be fully prepared for the Financial Adviser Exam with access to many exam preparation resources and workshops.
- Fulfil the educational qualifications and standards set by Financial Advisor Standards (FAS), the first step towards being properly authorised to provide financial advice to retail clients.
- QUT Business School has been ranked number 1 in Queensland and number 3 in Australia for postgraduate studies in AFR’s BOSS Best Business School 2022 rankings.
Explore this course
If you're an existing financial advisor looking to extend your current qualification or meet the new educational requirements to practice as a qualified financial advisor*, QUT's Graduate Diploma in Business (Financial Planning) will equip you with the knowledge, experience, and skills to succeed.
In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of finance, taxation law, superannuation, and retirement planning. From there, you will build your knowledge and expertise in insurance, risk management, estate planning, financial services law, and personal financial planning.
You will also develop important behavioural client management skills that will help you provide practical, holistic solutions to complex and unpredictable financial problems and build trust and rapport with clients. These skills include examining and evaluating behavioural biases, market anomalies, risk profiling and investment behaviour, and harmonising human and financial capital.
This program places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning experiences. As you progress through your studies, you will participate in many practical projects, including completing tax returns and analysing complex capital budgeting problems, superannuation funds, and financial regulation issues.
In your final capstone unit, you will then put your theoretical knowledge to the test as you partner with a real-world client to prepare an effective, meaningful, and compliant financial plan.
*This program is accredited by the FAS and will equip you with the educational requirements to practise as a qualified financial adviser.
If you're an existing financial advisor looking to extend your current qualification or meet the new educational requirements to practice as a qualified financial advisor*, QUT's Graduate Diploma in Business (Financial Planning) will equip you with the knowledge, experience, and skills to succeed.
In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of finance, taxation law, superannuation, and retirement planning. From there, you will build your knowledge and expertise in insurance, risk management, estate planning, financial services law, and personal financial planning.
You will also develop important behavioural client management skills that will help you provide practical, holistic solutions to complex and unpredictable financial problems and build trust and rapport with clients. These skills include examining and evaluating behavioural biases, market anomalies, risk profiling and investment behaviour, and harmonising human and financial capital.
This program places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning experiences. As you progress through your studies, you will participate in many practical projects, including completing tax returns and analysing complex capital budgeting problems, superannuation funds, and financial regulation issues.
In your final capstone unit, you will then put your theoretical knowledge to the test as you partner with a real-world client to prepare an effective, meaningful, and compliant financial plan.
*- This program is accredited by the FAS and will equip you with the educational requirements to practise as a qualified financial adviser.
Careers and outcomes
Financial planning is a dynamic and broad industry that offers many career opportunities in financial advising, wealth creation, investment management, insurance planning, estate planning, debt resolution and risk management.
Professional recognition
This program is accredited by FAS and will equip you with the educational requirements to practise as a qualified financial adviser.
Possible careers
- Financial advisor
- Financial planner
- Investment manager
- Paraplanner
- Private client advisor
- Risk insurance advisor
- Stockbroker
- Superannuation advisor
You will undertake eight core financial planning units (total of 96 credit points).
You will undertake eight core financial planning units (total of 96 credit points).
- Course code
- BS79
- CRICOS code
- 069962B
-
- Online
- Gardens Point
-
- Gardens Point
- 6 - 12 months full-time
- 1 - 2 years part-time
- 1 years full-time
- 2 years part-time
- February and July
- February and July
Entry requirements
1 year program
You must have one of:
- A recognised degree (or higher qualification) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 4.00 (on QUT’s 7 point scale); or
- At least seven years full-time (or equivalent) professional experience in banking, finance, investment and related fields.
0.5 year program
You must have completed the QUT Graduate Certificate in Business (Financial Planning) with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 4.00 within the last 7 years.
Minimum academic requirements
Academic entry requirement
A completed recognised bachelor degree in any discipline with a minimum grade point average (GPA) score of 4.00 (or equivalent on QUT's 7 point scale).
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.
| English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online | 58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
|
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| IELTS Academic / IELTS Online / IELTS One Skills Retake | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| TOEFL iBT / Home / Paper | 79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: Available from July
2025 fees
2025: Available from July
2024 fees
2024: $32,200 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $37,000 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
FEE-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a FEE-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
QUT Real World International Scholarship
A scholarship to cover tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
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