
If you have any questions regarding RG146 compliance and how it impacts you and your business, please select this link to email us Contact Us or phone on 1300 306 146.
ASIC regulation specifies that those providing advice to retail clients need to be RG 146 compliant. The intention of the Regulatory Guideline 146 Training of financial product advisers (RG 146) is to ensure all providers of financial product advice are suitably qualified.
It is unlawful to provide advice to Australian retail clients in any area or on any financial product where you do not meet the education standards in accordance with ASIC RG146 guidelines and be authorised by Australian Financial Services Licensee.
Advice is a recommendation, a statement of opinion or a report that is intended to influence a person in making a decision (buy, sell or hold) in relation to a particular financial product, or would reasonably be regarded as being intended to have such an influence.
Relevant advice can be general or personal and this will impose different obligations in terms of the:
A person (including an accountant, lawyer and tax agent) will have to be licensed if they conduct on a business of giving financial product advice.
General advice is the promotion and/or selling a product where no recommendation is made to the customer as to the suitability of that product. This means that a product adviser cannot 'select' from a group of potential products which might be more suitable for a particular client in relation to their personal needs, circumstances or objectives. The general or product adviser is selling specific products and acting for the product provider.
If you provide 'general advice' is mandatory to complete compulsory unit of Australian Industry Essentials (Generic Knowledge), which sets the foundation by teaching the integrity, ethics and legislative requirements of an adviser.
You should complete this prerequisite ... |
... which includes these topics: |
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compulsory unit... |
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Australian Industry Essentials (AIE) |
Australian Economy |
N.B. Learners seeking full RG146 accreditation will need to complete at least one specialist RG146 training course that relates to the type of financial product you intend to specialise.
Personal advice is the recommendation of a financial service or product to a customer where you have considered one or more of the customers objectives, financial situation and needs. The personal adviser is acting on behalf of the client and is making a recommendation in relation to suitable financial products.
If you provide 'personal advice', it is mandatory that you complete foundational knowledge of Australian Industry Essentials (AIE) and Financial Advice Fundamentals. These units set the foundation by teaching the financial advice planning process, that is reinforced in each of the subsequent RG146 specialist subjects.
You should complete this prerequisite ... |
... which includes these topics: |
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Australian Industry Essentials (AIE) |
Financial Advice Fundamentals (FAF) |
N.B. Learners seeking full RG146 accreditation must complete at least one specialist RG146 subject that relates to the type of financial product you intend to specialise.
In addition to the prerequisite subjects described via section 3 and 4, you must successfully complete an ASIC registered training course(s) that relate to the type of financial product you intend to specialise.
Specialist RG146 courses include: |
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You can undertake one or more of the specialist RG146 training courses listed, which will grant you RG146 competency to provide advice in the related areas.
Some Dealer Groups will permit their advisers to be qualified to provide limited advice in one specialist area.
For example, to be qualified to provide General Advice in relation to:
For example, to be qualified to provide Personal Advice in relation to:
The Diploma of Financial Planning is the industry-standard qualification required for most careers in the financial services industry. Most Dealer Groups today require their advisers to have the full Diploma in order to be qualified to provide personal financial advice to retail clients.
Diploma of Financial Planning
This qualification is made up of four Tier I RG146 subjects which can each be undertaken by Distance Education or by optional Workshop sessions:
| Financial Advice | The first subject (DFP 1) sets the foundation by teaching Australian Industry Essentials and Financial Advice Fundamentals which is reinforced in each of the specialist knowledge RG146 Training Courses. |
| Life Insurance | The second subject (DFP 2) will allow you to provide personal advice to clients on general insurance, income protection, Insurance, business overheads and trauma insurance. |
| Superannuation |
The third subject (DFP 3) enables you to provide personal advice on personal and business superannuation, retirement income stream products, pensions, roll-overs and annuities. |
| Investment |
Successful completion of the final subject (DFP 4) will allow you to provide personal advice on property ownership structures, listed property trusts, managed investments, shares, derivatives, and fixed interest products. |
Upon successful completion of the four subjects that comprise the DFP program, you will attain the Diploma of Financial Planning which is a nationally recognised qualification and grants you RG146 competency to provide personal advice in the related areas under license. However, this Diploma offers more than just RG146 compliance training. It is designed to engage and challenge participants so that they have the skills to apply knowledge gained in the workplace.
RG146 Training Australia's workshop sessions are ideal if you are new to the industry, prefer a structured learning environment and like to interact with industry peers. Facilitators are skilled at making the workshop experience interactive, interspersing real life examples to stimulate interest.
You can choose to attend workshop sessions in quick succession or attend individual courses over several months. For example, you may choose to do a 2-3 day training course every fortnight or month in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Self-paced learning is ideal if you are remotely located, returning to the industry or have other commitments. Distance Education is also approximately half the cost of workshop courses, but you will need to allocate regular study times and be self-disciplined.
You will be assigned an experienced adviser and financial planner, who will be available by telephone and email to provide speedy assessment feedback and technical support by telephone from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday - Friday or by email
Yes. Whether you do a course by Workshop or by Distance Education is your choice. You may even upgrade from Distance Education to a workshop session by registering your interest with your training adviser or by emailing learn@rg146.edu.au .
Individual workshop courses are 1 or 2 days in duration and are generally run from 8.30am to 4.30pm between Tuesday and Friday. You will also need to allow 2-3 weeks for pre-reading course material prior to the Workshop commencement date and time following to submit your assignments, case study and do your role-play. Some assessment tasks will be completed external of the workshop session(s).
Please consult our course schedule for the next workshop session in your region.
All specialist adviser course enrolments are active for 6 months, and full qualification course enrolments are active for 10-months.
The time it takes to complete a distance education course varies by individual, but if you are currently working in the financial services industry you should allow at least 60 hours of study for each subject.
New entrants to the financial services industry should allow up to 150 hours of study for each subject.
All specialist adviser course enrolments are active for 6 months, and full qualification course enrolments are active for 10-months.
RG146 Training Australia recognises all previously attained qualifications and/or statements of attainment that are current and relevant to the financial services (through National Recognition) completed with other TAFE's or registered training organisations.
RG146 Training Australia recognises all previously attained qualifications that are current and relevant to the financial services sector... An assessment to determine eligibility for RPL is required.
For pre-enrolment National Recognition and RPL approval, please provide a copy of your previously attained qualifications and/or statements of attainment by:
fax to the RTO Manager on 1300 366 170 (Int: +61 3 9614 1877) or
email attaching a scanned copy as a PDF to learn@rg146.edu.au
If you apply for National Recognition or RPL as part of your enrolment, check the RPL tick box and course fees will be calculated subject to your RPL application approval. If, in the event that the Recognition/RPL application is not successful, you will be notified and arrangements made for your enrolment.
ASIC requires advisers with foreign qualifications to undertake courses on the ASIC training register to become familiar with Australian regulatory requirements (RG146.5 / RG146.5).
If you have successfully completed a unit that qualifies you to provide general advice (i.e. Australian Industry Essentials (Generic Knowledge), you can do the skills assessment (Financial Advice Fundamentals) to qualify you to provide personal advice in the specialist knowledge area that you are qualified in.
Once you have been awarded the Diploma of Financial Planning, you can use a post nominal on your business card, resume and letter head to convey your qualifications. While there are no hard and fast rules about how you abbreviate this qualification, some examples include DFP, Diploma FP, Dip. Financial Planning or Dip. FP.
To be qualified to work in a stock broking firm, you must be RG146 compliant to provide advice on managed investments, securities, derivates or foreign exchange. RG146 courses that are , suitable for a career in a stock broking, include:
Securities (general advice)
Further courses may be required by your employer, such as:
There are two streams of General Insurance courses available, depending on the product you wish to provide advice on:
No course on the ASIC register provides training in relation to SMSFs only. To comply with RG146 you must have knowledge of all superannuation products, even when you are advising on one superannuation product only, such as SMSF.
To undertake RG146 Training Australia's SMSF course, you must have successfully completed the Financial Advice and Superannuation subjects that form part of the Diploma of Financial Planning (FNS 50601) qualification or equivalent.
The RG146 training standards for generic knowledge and specialist knowledge in derivatives must be satisfied at the Tier 1 educational level. To be qualified to provide advice and trade in derivatives, you will need to complete the following two subjects:
Product issuers when advertising their own products may be providing financial product advice. In addition, any advisers and customer service representatives must have the necessary competencies to perform their functions which include a thorough understanding of the limits of the financial product advice they are permitted to give.
Appropriate RG146 training may include one of the following:
Para-planners are representatives that perform functions such as collecting information from retail clients about their objectives, financial situation or needs, preparing draft Statements of Advice (SoA) and assisting in the explanation of financial product advice to retail clients.
RG146 Training Australia's Diploma of Financial Planning contains the unit of competency 'FNSFPL508A: Conduct complex financial planning research' that is a requirement to qualify as a paraplanner.
Trainees, office staff and adviser assistants who support financial advisers or insurance brokers require RG146 training as it provides the specialist knowledge necessary to successfully perform their duties.
Support staff should consider one of the following courses:
Advice given by a tax agent registered under the Part VIIA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 is not financial product advice, if the advice is given in the ordinary course of activities.
However, if tax advice is intended to influence the client in decision-making about financial products, the tax advice may be financial product advice. Therefore, if you are a tax adviser you will need to consider whether you provide any financial services that may require you to hold an AFS license or become a representative of a licensee.
You may also wish to transition into the financial services industry, in which case is may be appropriate to complete:
Diploma of Financial Planning
Advice given by a lawyer in their professional capacity about matters of law, legal interpretation or the application of law to the facts is not financial product advice. A person is also taken not to provide financial product advice if they only express an opinion or recommendation about the allocation of a person's funds among certain types of products and do not express an opinion or recommendation about a specific financial product or class of financial products.
Where lawyers wish to transition into the financial services industry, they tend to enrol in the:
Diploma of Financial Planning
You are not able to do the following things without RG146 training and AFSL authorisation, even if you are a recognised accountant:
Many accountants are establishing financial planning divisions to their practice. To be transition into the financial services industry, you should undertake the:
A large number of Dealer Groups today, also require their financial planners to have the nationally recognised advanced diploma of financial planning. This advanced level of qualification is to allow planners to provide personal financial advice to discerning clients in relation to estate planning, taxation planning, investment planning and complex financial planning.
The Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) is an education pathway for advanced standing with peak financial services industry associations, including the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) Financial Planning Association (FPA) and the Independent Financial Advisers (IFA).
Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning Distance ($1,890); Workshop ($3,350)
This qualification comprises four subjects which can each be undertaken by self-paced fully-supported Distance Education in any order, provided that ADFP - Financial Planning is the last subject completed:
Taxation Planning |
The first subject (ADFP 1) will qualify you to provide personal advice to clients on taxation planning, including Australian Taxation System Income Tax, FBT, PAYG, HEC, Income, CGT, Retirement Planning, Deductions and Personal Tax Planning. |
Estate Planning |
The second subject (ADFP 2) will qualify you to provide personal advice to clients on estate planning, succession planning and trusts. |
Investment Planning |
The third subject (ADFP 3) enables you to provide personal advice in relation to portfolio construction, risk and return, diversification, investment styles, research and disclosure. |
Financial Planning |
Successful completion of the final subject (ADFP 4) will qualify you to conduct complex financial planning research, determine complex client needs, provide comprehensive monitoring and implement innovate financial plans. |
Upon successful completion of this education program, you will achieve the Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning qualification and earn up to 52 accredited CPD points.
Given your previous industry experience, maintenance of continuous professional development and recognition of prior learning, you are able to undertake an accelerated GAP Assessment to save you time accelerate accreditation and support your online enrolment.
Start with the knowledge assessment to establish your level of knowledge.
This will save you time and allow you to focusing your study only on the GAP that you identified to successfully complete the course.
Diploma of Financial Planning
RG146 Training Australia has structured its training to meet the required national standards for content and assessment methods as required by the Financial Services Training Package (FSTP), principles of Competency Based Training (CBT) and the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) policies.
A Training Package is a set of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications used to recognise and assess the skills and knowledge people needed to perform effectively in the workplace. Training Packages are developed by industry through national industry skills councils (ISCs) or by enterprises to meet the identified training needs of specific industries or industry sectors.
Competency-based training (CBT) was introduced in the late 1980s as part of wider economic policy measures to improve the skill levels of the Australian workforce, enable Australian industry to be more competitive in global markets and establish new career structures for the Australian workforce. In a traditional educational system, the unit of progression is time and it is teacher-centred. In a CBT system, the unit of progression is mastery of specific knowledge and skills.
Australian vocational education and training (VET) policy adopted by successive governments at federal, State and Territory levels requires the application of CBT to the relevant training package.
RG 146 Training Australia's courses meet the above standards of the financial services industry and are listed on the ASIC Training Register.
Upon successful completion of the Diploma of Financial Planning, you will be issued with a statement of attainment which includes the following units of competency:
Core Units of Competency |
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| BSBITU402A |
Develop and use complex spreadsheets |
| BSBOHS303B |
Contribute to OHS hazard identification and risk assessment |
| FNSASICZ503A |
Provide advice in financial planning |
| FNSFPLN501A |
Comply with financial planning practice ethical and operational guidelines and regulations |
| FNSFPLN502A |
Conduct financial planning analysis and research |
| FNSFPLN508A |
Conduct complex financial planning research |
| FNSFPLN503A |
Develop and prepare financial plan |
| FNSFPLN504A |
Implement financial plan |
| FNSFPLN505A |
Review financial plan and provide ongoing service |
| FNSFPLN506A |
Meet with client to determine client requirements and expectations |
| FNSICIND401C |
Apply principles of professional practice to work in the financial services industry |
Elective Units |
|
| FNSFPLN507A |
Provide financial planning advice |
| FNSASIC503ZA |
Provide advice in Financial Planning |
| In addition the following units of competency will be awarded in accordance with the training obligations for an Authorised Representative under ASIC RG146 as listed on the ASIC training register. |
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| FNSASICX503A |
Provide advice in Life Insurance |
| FNSASICT503A |
Provide advice in Managed Investments |
| FNSASICW503A |
Provide advice in Securities |
| FNSASICV503A |
Provide advice in Derivatives |
| FNSASICU503A |
Provide advice in Superannuation |
Co-requisite Units |
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| FNSFMK502A |
Analyse financial market products for client |
| FNSFMK503A |
Advise clients on financial risk |
| FNSCUS505A |
Determine client requirements and expectations |
| FNSCUS506A |
Record and implement client instructions |
| FNSIAD501A |
Provide appropriate services, advice and products to clients |
| FNSINC501A |
Conduct product research to support recommendations |
QUALIFICATION UPDATE TO FNS10
The Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) FNS 50804 is transitioning to the Diploma of Financial Planning FNS 50610.
You will be enrolled in the qualification appropriate at the time of enrolment.
The courses are assessed through multiple choice knowledge test questions, case studies with short-answer responses and simulated client/adviser role-play. This provides an enhanced learning experience by combining knowledge, skills and assessment in a continuous cycle throughout the course.
If you choose to study by the distance education, you will have access to our Distance Education team who will be available by email and telephone to provide speedy assessment feedback and technical support.
Upon successful completion of the Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning, you will be issued with a Statement of Attainment which includes the following units of competency:
Core Units |
Title |
FNSFPL508A |
Conduct complex financial planning research |
FNSFPL601A |
Provide technical and professional guidance |
FNSFPL602A |
Determine client requirements and expectations for clients with complex needs |
FNSFPL603A |
Provide comprehensive monitoring and ongoing service |
FNSFPL604A |
Develop complex and innovative financial planning strategies |
FNSFPL605A |
Present and negotiate complex and innovative financial plans |
FNSFPL606A |
Implement complex and innovative financial plan |
FNSPRM601A |
Establish, supervise and monitor practice systems to conform with legislation and regulations |
| Elective Units | |
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National Recognition of three elective and related co-requisite units of competency |
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QUALIFICATION UPDATE TO FNS10
The Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) FNS 60404 is transitioning to the Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning FNS 60410.
You will be enrolled in the qualification appropriate at the time of enrolment.
Upon successful completion of the Life Insurance (General Advice) course as listed on the ASIC Training Register, you will be issued with a Statement of Attainment In partial completion of the nationally recognised qualification of the Diploma of Financial Planning, which includes the following units of competency:
Competency Unit |
Title |
FNSIAD301A |
Provide general advice on financial products and services |
Upon successful completion of the Insurance (Personal Advice) course as listed on the ASIC Training Register, you will be issued with a Statement of Attainment for the following units of competency:
Competency Unit |
Title |
FNSASICX503A |
Provide advice in Life Insurance |
FNSCUS505A |
Determine client requirements and expectations |
| FNSCUS506A |
Record and implement client instructions |
| FNSIAD501A |
Provide appropriate services, advice and products to clients |
FNSINC501A |
Conduct product research to support recommendations |
Upon successful completion of the Superannuation (General Advice) course as listed on the ASIC Training Register, you will be issued with a Statement of Attainment with the following unit of competency:
Competency Unit |
Title |
FNSIAD301A |
Provide general advice on financial products and services |
Upon successful completion of the Superannuation (Personal Advice) course as listed on the ASIC Training Register, you will be issued with a Statement of Attainment with the following units of competency:
Competency Unit |
Title |
FNSASIC503UB |
Provide advice in Superannuation |
FNSCUS505A |
Determine client requirements and expectations |
FNSCUS506A |
Record and implement client instructions |
FNSIAD501A |
Provide appropriate services, advice and products to clients |
FNSINC501A |
Conduct product research to support recommendations |
Upon successful completion of the Investment (General Advice) course as listed on the ASIC Training Register, you will be issued with a Statement of Attainment with the following unit of competency:
Competency Unit |
Title |
FNSIAD301A |
Provide General Advice on financial products and services |
Upon successful completion of the Investment (Personal Advice) course as listed on the ASIC Training Register, you will be issued with Statement of Attainment with the following units of competency:
Competency Unit |
Title |
FNSASICT503A |
Provide advice in Managed Investments |
FNSASICW503A |
Provide advice in Securities |
FNSASICV503A |
Provide advice in Derivatives |
FNSFMK502A |
Analyse financial market products for client |
FNSFMK503A |
Advise clients on financial risk |
FNSCUS505A |
Determine client requirements and expectations |
FNSCUS506A |
Record and implement client instructions |
FNSIAD501A |
Provide appropriate services, advice and products to clients |
FNSINC501A |
Conduct product research to support recommendations |
For more information on how you can become RG146 compliant, click a RG146 Course outline or contact a Training Adviser on telephone 1300 306 146.
Choose from fully-supported distance education courses and optional workshop sessions in most Australian capital cities.
Enrol in to a RG146 Training Course via our online registration and enrolment section. Payments for the course can be made online via credit card.
Start your education pathway to achieve ASIC RG146 compliance and become the financial adviser of the future.