Take the first step to become a Certified Financial Planner
In this combined program, you’ll major in financial planning and study business finance, insurance and risk management, retirement and superannuation, investment management, taxation law and practice, tax and estate planning, and financial plan construction.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- * Campus note: In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some core and foundation business subjects at USC Noosa or USC Gympie. There may be a limited selection of subjects available at South Bank. The option to study at Noosa is not available to international students on a Student visa.
- * Campus note: In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some core and foundation business subjects at USC Noosa or USC Gympie. There may be a limited selection of subjects available at South Bank. The option to study at Noosa is not available to international students on a Student visa.
In this combined program, you’ll major in financial planning and study business finance, insurance and risk management, retirement and superannuation, investment management, taxation law and practice, tax and estate planning, and financial plan construction.
On top of your commerce degree you’ll also get to major in a business specialisation such as accounting, management or international business, giving you that extra edge when it comes to graduate employment.
You’ll earn two degrees in just four years of study instead of six. You are challenged to integrate skills and knowledge from a wide range of business areas and apply this to areas such as corporate governance, management accounting and professional practice.
Our graduates meet the competency and skills requirements for Financial Advisers outlined by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. Choose to complete the accounting major and apply to become a member of CPA Australia; Institute of Charted Accountants in Australia and Institute of Public Accountants.
Majors
Business majors: Accounting; human resource management; information systems; international business; management; marketing; supply chain management; tourism, leisure and event management.
Career opportunities
Depending on the majors chosen: financial planning, business management, human resource management, marketing management, international business, tourism and hospitality management, business analysis.
Membership
Graduates meet the competency and skill requirements outlined by the regulator, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission in Regulatory Guide RG146 for Financial Advisers. Students completing the Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning) degree are eligible to join the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and if coupled with the accounting major, graduates may also become members of CPA Australia^; Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia^; Institute of Public Accountants^.
^ It is the responsibility of the student to confirm with the three Australian accounting bodies (CPA, ICAA and IPA) whether any credit granted will impact on their eligibility for professional association membership.
Program structure
School of Business
Required courses (7)
BUS101 Business Analytics
BUS102 Introduction to Economics
BUS104 Management and Organisational Behaviour
BUS105 Introduction to Marketing
BUS203 Business Law and Ethics
BUS320 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
COR109 Communication and Thought
Business major, minor and/or electives (9)
Select required courses from your chosen Business major or minor study area.
The number of electives is dependent on the Business major or minor chosen and the number of required courses included in that major or minor. Note that the total number of courses required to complete the program is 32 courses.
Commerce courses
Required courses (6)
ACC106 Accounting Principles
BUS108 Introduction to Informatics
ACC210 Financial Accounting
ACC220 Law of Business Associations
ACC221 Company Accounting
ACC310 Management Accounting
Major courses (9)
ACC211 Business Finance
ACC311 Taxation Law and Practice
FIN210 Introduction to Financial Planning
FIN220 Retirement and Superannuation
FIN221 Insurance and Risk Management
FIN310 Personal Investment Management
FIN320 Tax and Estate Planning
FIN321 Financial Plan Construction
PLUS select 1 elective course from the School of Business
Elective (1)
PLUS select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete a minimum of 32 courses including all core and required courses listed below, and electives.
- Complete no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses in total, including the core course.
- (Optional) Use electives to complete a major or minor.
- Register any selected Majors and Minors with your Faculty.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Faculty Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.