Master of Financial Planning (2793)
- Approved Abbreviation: MFinPlan
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 2793
- AQF Level: 9
This program applies to students who commenced in Q2, 2018 or later.
Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.
Commencement Year 2018 (Quarter 1) - 2793.4 Master of Financial Planning
Commencement Year 2017 (Quarter 1) - 2793.3 Master of Financial Planning
The Master of Financial Planning is a fully online program designed to provide the educational basis to enable students to increase competence as professional financial advisers and gain an advanced knowledge and understanding of the financial planning industry. With the increasing complexity of taxation laws, the ageing population and the focus on self-reliance in retirement, the financial planning industry has evolved as a distinct profession in Australia. Individuals and organisations require the skills of professionally equipped financial planners to assist them in effective investment and risk management and also with complex retirement planning strategies. The curriculum reflects the Australian environment and laws. Students may exit, on completion of 40 credit points of subjects of the program, with a Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning or on completion of 80 credit points with a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.
Students may be eligible for advanced standing based on their previous qualifications and work experience.
The degree is also accredited with the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA), management of which has recently transferred to Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) under The Commonwealth Department of Treasury as outlined under the heading 'Accreditation' below.
The University has approval from the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) to deliver programs in Australia taxation law for tax (financial) advisers and commercial law for tax (financial) advisers. Completion of the Master of Financial Planning satisfies the tertiary qualifications requirements to register as a Tax (Financial) Adviser. Details of which subjects must be completed to meet these requirements can be found via the link below.
TPB Tax (Financial) Adviser Registration Requirements
Early Exits
Students may exit this program on completion of 40 credit points with a 2795 Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning or on completion of 80 credit points with a 2794 Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning
Study Mode
One and a half years full-time or three years part-time.
Program Advice
Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.
Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |
Location
| Campus | Attendance | Mode | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Full Time | Online | See above |
| Online | Part Time | Online | See above |
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA). The program satisfies eligibility requirements for Financial Planner AFP® membership and educational requirements for entry into the Certified Financial Planner CFP® Certification Program of FPA (students will also receive exemption for CFP 2, 3 and 4 therefore must complete CFP 1 to be eligible to sit the CFP Certification Assessment). This program may meet the RG146 generic knowledge requirements, specialist knowledge requirements and skills requirements as they currently stand. In addition, by completing the Master of Financial Planning, students satisfy the tertiary qualifications requirements to register as a Tax (Financial) Adviser with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB). The Master of Financial Planning is also accredited with the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA), management of which has recently transferred to Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) under The Commonwealth Department of Treasury.
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
This program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Admission
Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree, or higher, in a business discipline;
Or
Successfully completed an undergraduate degree, or higher, in any discipline and have a minimum of two years full-time equivalent managerial/professional work experience in a related field;
Or
Successfully completed an undergraduate degree, or higher, in any discipline and have a minimum of five years general work experience in a related field.
Applicants seeking admission on the basis of work experience must support their application with a current CV for all work experience listed on their application and a Confirmation of Employment for all work experience listed on the application. Only applicants seeking admission through an established industry partnership agreement can provide an agreed alternative to the Confirmation of Employment. The confirmation of employment can be either be a letter on employer letterhead specifying their role and length of service or the industry declaration form.
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
Association of Financial Advisers and Western Sydney University Articulation Agreement
Students who complete subjects FINC 7001 Communication and Ethics for Financial Planners and FINC 7013 Planning for Retirement in this program will receive exemption for the Association of Financial Advisers’ FChFP AFA3 and AFA4. Students who have completed the Association of Financial Advisers’ FChFP AFA 3 and 4 will receive exemptions for subjects FINC 7001 Communication and Ethics for Financial Planners and FINC 7013 Planning for Retirement.
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 120 credit points which includes twelve core subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.
Recommended Sequence
Full-time start-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 session | Credit Points | |
| FINC 7001 | Communication and Ethics for Financial Planners | 10 |
| LAWS 7009 | Commercial Law | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Quarter 2 session | ||
| FINC 7015 | Principles of Financial Planning | 10 |
| LAWS 7031 | Principles of Taxation | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Quarter 3 session | ||
| FINC 7020 | Superannuation | 10 |
| FINC 7011 | Investment Planning | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Quarter 4 session | ||
| FINC 7010 | Insurance and Risk Management | 10 |
| FINC 7013 | Planning for Retirement | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Quarter 1 session | ||
| BUSM 7035 | Funds Management and Portfolio Selection | 10 |
| FINC 7007 | Financial Planning Research Project | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Quarter 2 session | ||
| LAWS 7011 | Contemporary Issues in Taxation | 10 |
| FINC 7019 | Statement of Advice Research Project | 10 |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Total Credit Points | 120 | |
Part-time start-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 session | Credit Points | |
| FINC 7001 | Communication and Ethics for Financial Planners | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Quarter 2 session | ||
| FINC 7015 | Principles of Financial Planning | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Quarter 3 session | ||
| LAWS 7009 | Commercial Law | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Quarter 4 session | ||
| LAWS 7031 | Principles of Taxation | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Quarter 1 session | ||
| FINC 7011 | Investment Planning | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Quarter 2 session | ||
| FINC 7013 | Planning for Retirement | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Quarter 3 session | ||
| FINC 7020 | Superannuation | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Quarter 4 session | ||
| FINC 7010 | Insurance and Risk Management | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Quarter 1 session | ||
| BUSM 7035 | Funds Management and Portfolio Selection | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Quarter 2 session | ||
| LAWS 7011 | Contemporary Issues in Taxation | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Quarter 3 session | ||
| FINC 7007 | Financial Planning Research Project | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Quarter 4 session | ||
| FINC 7019 | Statement of Advice Research Project | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Total Credit Points | 120 | |
Exit Awards
2794 Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning - 80 credit points, comprising eight subjects listed below:
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| LAWS 7009 | Commercial Law | 10 |
| FINC 7015 | Principles of Financial Planning | 10 |
| FINC 7020 | Superannuation | 10 |
| FINC 7011 | Investment Planning | 10 |
| LAWS 7031 | Principles of Taxation | 10 |
| FINC 7010 | Insurance and Risk Management | 10 |
| FINC 7013 | Planning for Retirement | 10 |
| FINC 7001 | Communication and Ethics for Financial Planners | 10 |
| Total Credit Points | 80 | |
2795 Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning - 40 credit points, compromising four subjects listed below:
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| FINC 7001 | Communication and Ethics for Financial Planners | 10 |
| LAWS 7009 | Commercial Law | 10 |
| FINC 7015 | Principles of Financial Planning | 10 |
| LAWS 7031 | Principles of Taxation | 10 |
| Total Credit Points | 40 | |