Master of Finance (Financial Planning)
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
Mode
On-campus/Online
Fees
$AU 30,200 per 1.0 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2025
Applicants are required to have one of the following:
Applicants who have:
are eligible to enter the program with 0.5 EFTSL (18 units) Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1.5 years of full time study or equivalent part time study.
Applicants who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning at the University of South Australia are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL (36 units) Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1.0
year of full time study or equivalent part time study.
1The degree is a Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) approved program. The Financial Adviser Standards and Conduct Unit (FASCU), The Treasury, have taken on the responsibilities of the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) as of 1 January 2022. 2Students may be required to undertake a combination of on-campus or online study. 3UniSA Business is one of just 13 institutions in Australia and approximately 200 globally (from over 25,000 universities) to be EQUIS accredited. EFMD, March 2024. 2023 QS Stars Business School Ratings. 42024 THE Subject Rankings. 5Australian Financial Review BOSS Best Business Schools List 2023.
This program is recognised as FASEA approved1 and will equip you with the education requirements to practise as a qualified financial adviser.
We’ve worked closely with industry to develop our course content, and regularly consult with Treasury to ensure your Masters degree meets the most up-to-date industry standards.
Our Master of Finance (Financial Planning) is best suited to new entrants with a non-relevant degree.*
Depending on your previous qualification/s, you may also be eligible to apply for credit or Advanced Standing, which means you could potentially finish your degree sooner, saving you both time and money.
If you do not meet the entry requirements for the master’s program but have industry experience in a related financial services role, you can use our Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning as a direct entry pathway.
Who is a financial adviser?
Financial advisers assist clients to build and manage their personal wealth, tax, financial risk and spending over their lifetimes. They consider many factors such as current wealth, and income and lifestyle aspirations to develop plans for their clients to reach short and long-term financial goals.
With a strong practical focus and access to state-of-the-art technology, you will further your skills in preparing detailed financial plans and documentation which meet legal and regulatory requirements.
*Definitions:
1The degree is a Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) approved program. The Financial Adviser Standards and Conduct Unit (FASCU), The Treasury, have taken on the responsibilities of the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) as of 1 January 2022.
This program consists of 16 advanced financial planning courses, which you can complete in 1.5-2 years of full-time study (or part-time equivalent). Your qualification will complement your industry experience and advance your knowledge in specialist areas such as investment management, estate planning, superannuation, and tax. You’ll study compulsory bridging courses that have been outlined in Treasury's education requirements including ethics and professionalism, and financial advice regulatory and legal obligations. As a graduate, you can be confident you’ll leave with the essential education requirements to practise as a qualified financial adviser.
A master’s degree is an opportunity to sharpen your technical ability, legal knowledge and professional expertise. Aside from learning new and relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice, you’ll also enhance your skills in building and managing client relationships – a critical focus area for future financial advisers.
Throughout your studies, you’ll gain contemporary career planning strategies and techniques to boost your employability and achieve your career goals. You’ll also have opportunities to network and connect with leading industry bodies such as the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA), as well as other industry professionals.
As one of the leading providers of accounting and finance education in Australia, you can be confident you will graduate with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the financial services sector.
You’ll learn from expert academics and current practising financial advisers. Your studies are enriched in so many ways as you’ll gain unique insights from professionals who know the ins and outs of the industry and understand the unique challenges and opportunities that financial advisers face today.
Your course content has been developed in conjunction with leading industry experts to ensure that what you learn is practical, relevant and current to today’s changing business landscape.
UniSA Business is the only business school in South Australia accredited by both AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EFMD (EQUIS) – the world’s leading accreditation bodies recognising excellence in business education and research at a global level. These dual accreditations demonstrate the high standards we hold across all areas such as teaching, student learning and research, as well as our commitment to continually improving the quality of our programs.
Responding to industry needs
The financial services profession has recently introduced new education standards, making it more important than ever for practising and aspiring financial advisers to hold a recognised qualification.
If you’re currently working in financial planning, you’ll need to complete a FASEA approved program by 2026 to continue practising. If you’re looking to enter the industry, you’ll now need to study a FASEA approved program to start your career.
As part of your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to access exam preparation resources or workshops so you feel confident and prepared for your exams. We’ll provide you with useful strategies, tips and support – all the information you need to succeed.
Our flexible delivery and extracurricular opportunities are designed to suit your lifestyle, preferred learning style, and career interests. You can benefit from online and on-campus study, part-time or full-time learning, Summer and Winter School intensive courses, mentoring and networking opportunities with industry, and accelerated learning pathways. Plus, you can make the most of professional development courses endorsed by industry, build leadership skills by participating in the UniSA+ Award, or seek support at our on-campus Business Student Hub.
Hear from Geoff Pacecca, Founder and Principal Adviser of GAP Financial and UniSA Financial Planning lecturer, about our suite of programs and the benefits of furthering your unstoppable career at UniSA.
In addition to new education standards, FASEA outlined new professional requirements. This includes completing a professional year (for new entrants only), passing a national exam, undertaking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and completing a code of ethics course.
The financial services industry is one of the leading sectors in the Australian economy and plays a key role in facilitating the productive flow of funds between industries, companies and individuals.
If you’re an existing financial adviser, your qualification opens up many more opportunities in your business and career.
If you’re looking to make a career change, there are a range of roles you could pursue in diverse businesses. There are opportunities in financial institutions, investment banks, superannuation and insurance funds, and financial advisory firms – or you could choose to be self-employed and set up your own practice. Financial advisers can also specialise areas such as tax planning, risk management or retirement planning.
Careers to consider include:
This program is a Financial Adviser Standards, The Treasury approved program.
Applying to study with us:
You may be eligible for Advanced Standing. When applying through SATAC, please refer to the codes below. If you are uncertain about your eligibility, please include more than one SATAC code in your list of application preferences.
Advanced Standing for previous studies means you can complete the requirements of this qualification in less than 2 years. You can apply if you have successfully completed one of these (please see entry requirements for further details):
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
I am Program Director: Finance and Financial Planning in UniSA Business and Lecturer in Financial Planning and Finance. I have worked at the University of Greenwich (London) and have consulted both national and international organisations in economics, finance, and financial planning.
I teach in the areas of banking, finance, and financial planning, including personal financial planning, and personal risk management and insurance. My current research focuses on aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) factors, green finance, financial system governance and institutional reform, market spillovers, and the cost and provision of financial advice to lower socio-economic groups.
I am also a member of key industry professional bodies, and serve on relevant industry committees, enabling me to deliver the latest industry-informed knowledge to students. I believe my extensive experience helps me to understand and support students as they develop the necessary academic and practical skills to address real-world industry challenges, becoming experts in their area of interest.
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying.
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.