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CourseFinder helps you discover and enroll in top courses from Australia’s leading providers, making it easy to kick-start or continue your career journey.
Follow Us
© 2026 CourseFinder Australia Pty Ltd, All Rights Reserved
Financial Planning
Financial planning helps Australians manage their money with confidence. It covers budgeting, insurance, super and long-term investing. The Financial Advice Association Australia, or FAAA, leads the profession. It has around 11,000 members and affiliates, including more than 4,000 Certified Financial Planners (FAAA, 2026). The FAAA formed in 2023 when two older bodies joined forces to speak with one voice.
Demand for good advice keeps growing. More Australians want help with retirement and super. Jobs and Skills Australia data shows about 63,400 people work as financial advisers and investment managers. Around 900 new roles open up each year (JSA, 2025). Full-time pay in this field sits at a median of $2,582 a week. SEEK’s July 2026 data lists planner salaries between $120,000 and $140,000 a year.
Entry to the profession is tightly controlled. New advisers need an approved bachelor’s degree or a similar higher qualification. They must also pass a national exam and finish a supervised year of practice. From January 2026, advisers who miss this standard can no longer give personal advice to retail clients. A support role such as paraplanning is a solid way in while you study.
This path suits people who like solving problems and helping others feel secure about money. Ethics and ongoing training sit at the heart of the job. Demand for trusted advice shows no sign of slowing down.
New advisers need an approved bachelor’s degree, a pass in the national Financial Adviser Exam, and a supervised professional year. From January 2026, advisers who miss this standard can no longer give personal advice to retail clients. See the ASIC financial advice guidelines, listed among the industry bodies below, for full detail.
Many people move into financial planning from banking, accounting or law. If you hold a related qualification, you may gain credit toward your degree. A Certificate IV or Diploma in finance is a useful first step into a support role.
SEEK’s July 2026 career data lists average planner salaries between $120,000 and $140,000 a year. Pay depends on your experience, your specialty, and whether you work for a licensee or run your own practice.
Yes, as long as a registered provider delivers the course. Check that any qualification appears on the TEQSA register or on training.gov.au before you enrol.
A career in financial planning can lead to real jobs you'll enjoy. Here are some roles you could pursue.
