This course provides student an understanding of the regulatory framework governing the Australian financial services industry and possess basic financial planning skills in investment advice, investment strategies, superannuation, income taxation, retirement benefits and estate planning.
RG146 Compliance
The course is designed to provide the minimum required qualification as per RG146 standards AND the standards likely to come into effect in 2024 that will require relevant professionals to have a Master Level qualification. The Graduate Diploma is an AQF Level 8 qualification, which in many cases is recognised for credit transfer into AQF Qualifications at Level 9.
Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146) is a set of minimum guidelines and financial regulation standards under the Corporations Act for anyone wishing to provide financial product advice to retail clients in Australia. Individuals on this pathway in the financial industry are required to adhere to initial and ongoing education requirements set out by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).
The Graduate Diploma is assessed by AIBT, a registered training organisation (RTO) and designed in consultation with the Association of Independently Owned Financial Professionals (AIOFP) to meet the requirements of Tier 1 professional services.
| Entry Requirements |
| Successful completion of a Bachelor Degree; or |
| An Advanced Diploma level; or equivalent with relevant working experience |
| Minimum IELTS of 6.0; or equivalent |
| Qualification Core Units |
| GDFPAS801 | Provide complex financial planning advice Download |
| GDFEPS802 | Develop advanced estate and superannuation plans Download |
| GDFIPM803 | Provide investment advice Download |
| GDFSST804 | Design tax minimisation plans Download |
| Duration |
| 1 year full time study (Fast track options available: Two Terms) |
| Intake |
|
February, April, July and October
|
| Student Card |
| Students who enrol for the four units to be undertaken over a 12 month period are eligible for a Student Card indicating they are a full time student of AIBT. |
| Fees |
|
Domestic (Not Member of AIOFP) |
Domestic (Member of AIOFP) | ||
| AUD x 1 year | $10,000 | $8,000 | |
| International | Material Fee | Enrolment Fee | |
| AUD x 1 year | $18,000 | $500 | $300 |
How to Enrol
Complete the application form available from the AIBT website.
Attach your CV and copies of any previous qualifications to demonstrate you meet the entry requirements.
Once your application has been assessed, you will be sent a letter offering you a place in the course program
Refund Policy
Click here to access our refund policy
| Learning Methodology |
| Online lectures, tutorials and support sessions (domestic student) |
| Face to face lectures, tutorials and support sessions; mix of projects, written assessments, reports and presentations (international student) |
What are the closing dates for application and where do I apply?
Each intake closes 5 days prior to the term commencement date. This allows people to get their payments finalised prior to the first day of the term. Use the application form that can be downloaded from this website to apply. Below is a diagram illustrating the application process. Applications should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. After the application is reviewed you will be sent a letter offering you a place in the course. Fees are payable at this time. The fees and refund conditions are part of the offer you receive.
What is the selection process for entry to the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning and Advice?
Your application is checked for completeness. It should include supplementary information about your experience in the industry in the form of a details CV. Notated copies of your previous qualifications should also be included. You will need to demonstrate you have extensive experience if you do not hold a Bachelor Degree in a complimentary discipline.
How long is the course?
The course can take up to 1 year to complete. However, you may be able to fast track your studies if you have extensive experience, knowledge and skills that allow you to undertake assessments faster than a normal scheduled study plan. You should expect to spend up to 20 hours per week in study if you are unable to apply extensive previous knowledge to the subject matter.
Can I study externally?
The course is offered externally. This is because the majority of students are likely to be currently working full-time.
Is the workload heavy?
Study at a Graduate Diploma Level can be challenging if you have not studied for a long time or you are not familiar with the core concepts. Because the course is external, you can study at a pace that suits you
Where can I find further information regarding the course?
There is more information about the course contents in the student handbook which can be downloaded at the link at the top of this page
Is a Graduate Diploma the same as a Degree or a Diploma?
The Graduate Diploma is a “post graduate” level course. It is higher than a Degree according to the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF). A Degree is Level 7 and the Graduate Diploma is Level 8.
At the Graduate Diploma level, you are studying at the same level of the first half of a Masters Degree which is Level 9.
The entry criteria for a Graduate Diploma is a Degree or a lower level qualification combined with extensive experience. In some cases, the amount of industry experience is so comprehensive it can be assessed as the equivalent of a relevant qualification. It is not possible to enrol directly to a post graduate course without meeting the criteria above.
The AQF information can be found at https://www.aqf.edu.au/aqf-levels