Diploma Financial Planning
FNS50611 (RG146 compliant)

Various course schedules (streams) are available, including:

Face-to-face workshops^: are conducted in a classroom environment enabling you to learn efficiently within a structured and engaging format. The workshops allow you to interact and network with other students under the guidance of industry professionals who “bring the course to life” and provide a “real world” perspective.

Distance (Self-Paced) learning: allows you to start a course when and where it is convenient for you to study. Distance learning is particularly popular with stay-at-home parents, full time employees, or anyone seeking maximum flexibility. You will be well supported throughout your course by Monarch’s dedicated distance education support team, available both over the phone and online.

Diploma in Financial Planning – Detailed Pricing

You can choose to enrol in the FULL Diploma of Financial Planning or alternatively you can enrol in just individual units (see prices below). There are substantial savings when enrolling in the Full Diploma of Financial Planning.

^All students studying at Monarch Institute are regarded as undertaking a course or qualification by distance education. Students may also choose to attend optional workshops which are facilitated by a recognised industry expert (‘facilitator’), in this instance a Financial Planning Professional. All Monarch facilitators are nationally recognised trainers and assessors under the Australian Quality and Training Framework (AQTF). To successfully complete the Diploma of Financial Planning, pre-reading, attendance at optional workshops (if applicable), self-study and post-workshop assessments is required. For further information, refer to Monarch Institute’s Student Information Guide.

Various locations are available for Diploma of Financial Planning training, including:

• Face-to-Face workshops – CBD training held nationwide.
• Your Office – Monarch Institute provides onsite training for group instruction.
• Distance Learning – the choice is yours.

Many students choose to study the Diploma of Financial Planning with Monarch via our online distance course. The cost saving are one significant reason – the course fee is generally close to half the price of a face-to-face course fee. But its just not only about the lower course prices. Many students tell us they want the convenience to study when, where and how best suits their lifestyle requirements. Studying at night, weekend or a few hours here or there is simply not a problem when enrolled in our online distance course. And Monarch offers a continuance enrolment intake for the online/distance course so you can start any time.

What student support will I receive when studying online/distance?

Many students are amazed to find out Monarch allocates each and every online/distance student to their own personal financial planning trainer. Your trainer is a successful Licensed Financial Planner so the help you get from your trainer while studying with Monarch is actually help from a licensed practising financial planning professional. As your online/distance trainer, they are always happy to talk to you about the practical “must know” strategies they use to remain successful and deliver true value. You can contact your trainer via email, phone or Skype as often as you like. Contact is encouraged so we always tell students when enrolling to make the most of it  and take advantage of their personal trainer’s unique insight and experience, as part of their own education and learning experience.

So if you are considering studying online with Monarch, even though you may well be completing the online/distance course at home, in a coffee shop or in park by reading the materials and completing the online assessments, remember help and support is just an email or phone call away. The assessment feedback is also marked by your trainer and the general turnaround for assessments once you submit them online into our online learning management system (called ‘Moodle’) is 72 hours, often earlier! Convinced yet? We think you should be

Monarch Institute’s Diploma of Financial Planning and Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning are Government accredited. It has National recognition under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) meaning it can be used as a pathway to a university qualification, nationwide. The course is ASIC compliant, having been approved by ASIC authorised assessors in meeting ASIC Policy Statement 146 (known as RG146) and is listed on the ASIC Training Register at: http://asic.gov.au/eTraining/eTrain.nsf

To be awarded a Diploma of Financial Planning: 15 units of competency are required for award of this qualification.  An additional unit is required in order to be recognised as RG146 compliant in each of Managed investments, Superannuation and Life Insurance.  The 16 units of competency listed below are packaged into 4 modules:

DFP1 – Foundations of Financial Planning

DFP2 – Investments

DFP3 – Superannuation & Retirement Planning

DFP4 – Insurance & Risk Management

Monarch has carefully structured its financial services assessments to include a variety of formats which will enhance your understanding:

• Case studies
• Multiple  choice
• Short answer questions
• Role plays
• Projects

Any person who provides financial advice must have an industry specific accreditation (known as RG146 certification). Completing the Monarch Institute Diploma of Financial Planning automatically means you are RG146 compliant in the areas of managed investments, life insurance and superannuation. This RG146 qualification will provide you with a vast array of employment opportunities within the financial services industry.

Many employment positions in the financial services industry require an RG146 qualification, including: banks, fund managers, investment platform providers, investment research houses, superannuation funds, stock brokers, credit unions, accounting practices, financial planning practices, mortgage broking businesses, insurance firms, business brokers and real estate agencies.

As an industry leader in delivering financial services education, Monarch is regularly approached by employers seeking outstanding students. Monarch’s privacy policy means students must approach employers directly to pursue employment opportunities, and often the roles are competitive. To be successful in obtaining employment in the financial services industry, new entrants should firstly research the industry, and consider:

• Speaking to fellow students (and others) already working in the industry, to understand the areas currently in demand.
• Research current vacancies and remuneration levels on career websites such as www.seek.com.au and www.mycareer.com.au
• Inquire about professional membership to industry associations. There are often discounts for students so enquire at:
  • www.fpa.asn.au
  • www.cpaaustralia.com.au
  • www.publicaccountants.org.au
  • www.afma.com.au
  • www.bankers.asn.au
  • Stockbrokers.org.au

After the successful completion of a Diploma of Financial Planning you are eligible to enrol in the Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning.

Monarch Institute recognises Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) which takes into account the knowledge and skills you have already gained through your previous education and work history, attributing this to your Financial Services Diploma. This may be through formal or informal training and can result in credits towards your qualification.

Advisers and students with foreign qualifications are required by ASIC to undertake courses on the ASIC training register to familiarise themselves with Australian regulatory requirements.