Finance courses
Finance courses lead to quite different jobs. A diploma in financial counselling takes under a year, while a degree opens up accounting, analysis and financial planning. Here's what each one is for.
- Quickest way to start
- 6 months
- Diploma, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $1,980
- subsidised Certificate IV, TAFE NSW
- What the jobs pay
- $56,900 to $134,300
- median pay across 5 jobs, some estimated
- Demand
- 1 of 5 jobs
- are on the national shortage list
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Diploma of Financial Counselling
Work as a financial counsellor
Help people who are overwhelmed by debt understand their options and deal with creditors and government agencies.
Median pay$56,900 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- 6 to 18 months full time at TAFE NSW
- How you'll study
- On campus
Bachelor of Accounting and Finance
Work as an accountant or analyst
Keep an organisation's financial records accurate and report its results to managers, investors and regulators.
Median pay$104,200
- How long it takes
- 3 years full time
- How you'll study
- On campus
Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning)
Become a financial planner
Advise clients on superannuation, retirement, insurance and estate planning and help them plan their money.
Median pay$134,300
- How long it takes
- 3 years full time
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate IV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,980 | $7,710 |
| Holmesglen Institute | SA | Not listed | $2,889 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate IV
- $1,980 subsidised
- $7,710 full fee
Holmesglen InstituteSA
- Certificate IV
- Not listed
- $2,889 full fee
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
Other university courses
- Bachelor of Finance3 years. For people heading towards financial markets, investing or treasury work, covering corporate finance and portfolio management.
Can help with: settlements officer, underwriter
- Bachelor of Banking and Finance3 years. Leads towards work in banking, investment and financial planning, covering corporate finance, equity markets and commercial banking.
Can help with: bank manager, investment administrator, loan processor
- Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance)3 years. For people heading towards analysis and advisory work in business, banking or the public sector, with economics and finance studied in depth.
Can help with: shipbroker
- Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance6 months. A short postgraduate introduction to financial statements, markets and risk management, often used as a first step towards a master degree.
Can help with: bank manager, investment administrator
Other certificates and diplomas
- Certificate III in Financial Services1 to 2 years. A starting point for school leavers and career changers who want front counter or administrative work in banking, insurance or credit.
Can help with: bank teller, loan processor, personal banker
- Certificate IV in Credit Management6 to 24 months. For people already working in accounts, collections or customer service who want to make the credit decisions themselves.
Can help with: credit controller, debt collector
- Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking4 months. For people who want to work as a mortgage broker, with no prior finance experience or qualification needed to enrol.
- Certificate IV in General Insurance6 to 24 months. For people working in general insurance, handling claims, assessing risk or underwriting policies.
Can help with: claims assessor, underwriter
- Certificate IV in Personal Injury Management6 to 24 months. For people who handle personal injury claims and support injured people through the process, and it can lead towards supervising others.
Can help with: claims assessor, injury management coordinator
- Diploma of Credit Management1 to 2 years. For people who want to work out whether a borrower can repay, or who already work in banking, finance or collections and want more responsibility.
Can help with: bank manager, credit controller, underwriter
- Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management2 months. For people who want to arrange loans for clients, including the supervising side for brokers running their own practice.
- Diploma of Insurance Broking1 to 2 years. Trains you to work as an insurance broker, working out a client's risks and recommending cover for a home, a business or a larger operation.
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
External AuditorWhat you needBachelor degreeMedian pay$109,400In demand- Financial AccountantWhat you needBachelor degreeMedian pay$104,200
Financial AnalystWhat you needBachelor degreeMedian pay$109,200 (estimate)- Financial PlannerWhat you needBachelor degreeMedian pay$134,300
- Financial CounsellorWhat you needDiplomaMedian pay$56,900 (estimate)
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.