Kaplan Professional has launched a six-week intensive study period to help financial advisers meet the looming Dec. 31 education deadline under the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) framework.
With enrolments now open, the one-time offering begins on Aug. 11 and provides advisers with a condensed study format to complete a subject in half the time of a standard period – without compromising on academic standards.
The intensive study period will run alongside Kaplan’s final two regular 2025 intakes: Study Period 4 (starting June 30) and Study Period 5 (starting Aug. 25).
This initiative comes as the countdown to the FAS deadline places added pressure on financial advisers and licensees, with ASIC confirming education non-compliance may result in being removed from the Financial Adviser Register.
Kaplan Professional CEO Brian Knight said the decision to add the intensive intake was informed by record enrolment figures and the clear need for additional options.
“We estimate that we have educated about 90% of the market throughout the education uplift and we have had record enrolments in the first three intakes of this year – close to 6,000 subject enrolments,” Knight said.
“Based on our student data, there are just over 1,500 advisers currently studying with us who still need to meet the education deadline – this ranges from between one and eight subjects – there are probably close to 500 who may be at real risk if we do not provide additional options.”
He said Kaplan teams were working closely with licensees to provide detailed progress tracking and identify advisers at risk.
“We are in regular contact with licensees, with dedicated teams working overtime to provide progression reports to keep them up to date with live data – helping identify adviser study gaps in meeting the education standard,” Knight said.
“Another major focus for us has been working with licensees to ensure they have a complete understanding of their responsibilities to ensure their advisers’ education details are correctly registered on the FAR.”
The FAS deadline applies to existing financial advisers who do not qualify for the 10-year experience exemption. With less than seven months remaining, the industry is under pressure to ensure compliance.
“We feel it is our duty as an educator to ensure we can get as many advisers as possible across the line before the end of the year… we will continue to re-assess progression statistics and if there is continued demand from both licensees and advisers, we will explore the option to add more intensives,” Knight said.
Kaplan emphasised that the intensive study period offers no shortcuts – it simply compresses the usual 12-week workload into a six-week period. Advisers can only enrol in one subject during the intensive format.
Available support includes:
All eight core subjects of the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning are available, and the offering is open to any adviser, whether or not they are affected by the 2025 deadline.
Knight encouraged all advisers who still need to complete their FAS education requirements to reach out promptly.
“Whether they have not started their studies, have completed some study with another education provider or are currently studying with Kaplan Professional, it is recommended that they make contact with Kaplan Professional as soon as possible,” he said.
“While it is still more than achievable, it is going to require a disciplined and committed approach … however, we can support you with a personalised study plan regardless of your individual circumstances or requirements – whatever you need, we will help you.”
