Financial Planning
Content Summary
Study options for financial planning subjects
Due to changes in the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) education requirements, CPA Australia no longer offers financial planning subjects. To replace these subjects, we have partnered with a FASEA provider, Kaplan Professional, to support candidates wanting to pursue a career in financial planning.
If you wish to pursue a career in financial planning, we encourage you to review the FASEA-approved course offered by Kaplan Professional, which can be completed alongside the CPA Program.
Discounts and exemptions
As an Associate member, you may be eligible for subject discounts if you choose to undertake this qualification with Kaplan Professional.
You may also be eligible to receive exemptions for up to three CPA Program subjects:
Ethics and Governance
- Completion of Ethics and Professionalism in Financial Advice (FPC002B) and CPA Australia's Professional Development module Better Practice in Governance and Accountability.
One unspecified elective
- Completion of Tax and Commercial Law for Financial Planning (FPC006). This is a Tax Practitioner Board (TPB) approved subject in the Australia taxation law and Tax Agent Services Act (TASA) 2009, including the Code of Professional Conduct (Code). This subject meets the core taxation requirement to become a CPA and is recognised as an unspecified elective for the CPA Program.
One unspecified elective
- Completion of Superannuation and Retirement Advice (FPC003), or Estate and Succession Planning (FPC005), or Investment Advice (FPC008).
There is a maximum of two unspecified electives that may be taken as exemptions. Members who do not have audit or taxation in their undergraduate degree would be required to complete these units. Members may elect to complete Tax and Commercial Law for Financial Planning (FPC006) to satisfy CPA Australia's requirement.
Candidates undertaking this pathway will also have access to Kaplan Professional's individual recognition of prior learning (RPL) assessments administered in accordance with their applicable RPL policies. Candidates may be eligible for RPL as a result of prior studies and/or industry experience.
To find out if you are eligible to pursue this pathway, contact Member Services who will provide you with the relevant information and documentation Kaplan Professional require for assessment of eligibility. Please note, only candidates who became an Associate member on or before the 19 August 2019 are eligible for this pathway.
Visit the Kaplan Professional website to find out more about the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning course.
If you have previously completed financial planning subjects with CPA Australia, we will recognise these as elective units in the CPA Program. Members must advance within the required time frame to have their studies recognised.
If you are interested in becoming a financial adviser in Australia and would like career advice, please contact us for more information.
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