Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning

Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning - FNS60920

VOCATIONAL

Develop specialised skills and knowledge to support financial advisers in our simulated practice firm environment.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 1.5 years
Fees:

Fee finder

Next intake:
February
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Not applicable
Fees:

Not applicable

Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Not applicable

Overview

In the Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning, you will develop the skills and knowledge needed to work within the financial planning industry.

You will be prepared to work as a paraplanner, providing a range of financial planning services within a diverse range of product areas, including (but not limited to) insurance, superannuation, managed investments, retirement and estate planning.

Why study the Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning at RMIT?

Simulated learning

Undertake assignments in dedicated Practice Firms that are designed to simulate a workplace environment.

Led by industry

An advisory committee, made up of Financial Services industry representatives, ensures that this degree reflects current industry needs.

Work-integrated learning

Work on real-world scenarios and deepen your understanding of the financial services sector through WIL projects.

The learning content is designed to introduce you to the highly regulated and compliance-driven industry that is financial planning, preparing you for job roles that require specialist skills and a broad understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework in which this work is undertaken.

Details

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Learning and teaching methods 

Designed with working professionals in mind, your live online classes and on-campus workshops are all held in the evenings. Live online classes are all recorded so you can view them later. 

You will benefit from small cohort sizes with hands-on teachers readily available to answer questions and offer support.

Our on-campus workshops provide opportunities for collaborative work, allowing you to interact with your peers and facilitators alike. They are conducted in our purpose-built Practice Firm rooms and provide a great environment for learning to use industry-specific software and practicing your client interactions and other role plays.

Your live online classes and face-to-face workshops will be supported by carefully curated pre-class and post-class online activities, as well as self-directed research, online collaboration with peers, and engagement with a range of industry guests. 

Assessment methods

As a student in this advanced diploma, you will be assessed on structured activities that allow you to learn, apply and demonstrate vocational competency.  

The assessment for this advanced diploma is designed to simulate the workplace, allowing you to demonstrate your skills and knowledge using authentic tasks.

Assessment may take the form of verbal or written questions, multimedia presentations (individually or in groups), live demonstrations, portfolios, case studies, simulated projects, role-play activities, supervised and timed tasks, according to the requirements of each unit.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

We regularly invite industry practitioners and guest speakers to share their wealth of experience and provide you with a contemporary, expert perspective on a range of issues relating to finance broking.

Our Financial Services Industry Advisory Committee includes representatives of peak professional bodies, including the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and Financial Planners Association of Australia (FPA) as well as high-profile industry practitioners from a broad cross-section of small and large organisations.

While this diploma doesn't have a formalised work placement, you will undertake various Work Integrated Learning (WIL) activities in a virtual or simulated work environment in the RMIT Practice Firm. 

The nominated Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units for this advanced diploma are:

  • BAFI5239C Develop financial plans 
  • BAFI5240C Present and negotiate financial plans
  • BAFI5241C Implement financial plans.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this qualification and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

All live online classes and face-to-face workshops in this advanced diploma are held on weekday evenings.  

If you undertake this advanced diploma as a full-time student, you should expect to attend classes or workshops on a maximum of three evenings per week over a duration of 1.5 years.

You should allow approximately thirty hours of study time per week, including pre-class, post-class and in-class study time.

Your studies in this advanced diploma are designed to become increasingly challenging as you build skills and knowledge to attack complex tasks with confidence. 

This advanced diploma comprises 12 units, including industry-endorsed elective units covering the critical advice areas of managed investments, superannuation and life insurance. Many units are clustered (or grouped) together according to common themes, allowing you to explore several key areas intensively, while simplifying the process of learning and assessment.

Early in your advanced diploma studies, you will focus on the fundamentals of the financial planning industry. You'll explore what it is like to work within this industry, how to meet strict industry compliance and ethical guidelines, as well as learning to identify and implement client needs and wants. You will then also investigate techniques for researching and analysing the various products to meet client needs.

Later in your studies, you will learn how to develop, present, negotiate and implement financial plans, as well as prepare advice information for use in the areas of managed investments, superannuation and life insurance. Here, you will have many opportunities to put your theory to the test with increasingly practical activities and assessment tasks. 

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning
Program code: C6179
National curriculum code: FNS60920
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning
City Campus
1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
C6179
Location
City Campus
Duration
1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Plan code
C6179
CRICOS
View plan

Career

Possible career outcomes for this qualification include: paraplanner, associate financial planner or adviser, financial planning practice manager, compliance officer, or operations officer for a range of practice areas.

While many graduate students will seek immediate employment in the industry, some will seek to articulate to higher education studies in a finance-related qualification.

Admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

  • Successful completion of Australian Year 12 (or equivalent)

OR 

  • At least 6 months' work experience in a related field.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

Pathways

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Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

Explore the pathway finder
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Even though there are no formal pathways into this course, there are often other ways you can gain entry.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the courses below.

For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.

Fees

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2023 fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2023 full-fee place: AU$4,500* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$326 maximum fee for 2023.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2023 is $326. 

For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

Sorry, this program is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information