School of Business

Western Sydney University School of Business keeping abreast of Financial Planning and Advice regulatory framework

The School of Business at Western Sydney University recently finalised an innovative joint degree program with the Stockbrokers and Financial Advisers of Australia (SAFAA). This postgraduate, online program is a comprehensive response to the Australian federal government’s new regulatory framework that will govern the financial advising sector into the future.

2019 saw the completion of curriculum initiatives for the Master of Financial Planning, and Master of Stockbroking and Financial Advising (plus nested degrees for both), in addition to non-award standalone units that will comprise bridging courses for financial planners who hold postgraduate qualifications.

All the above courses have achieved accreditation with the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority – FASEA.  Additionally, the Master of Stockbroking and Financial Advising is also accredited by the Financial Planning Education Council – FPEC; and the Master of Financial Planning is also accredited by the Financial Planning Association of Australia – FPA.

Western Sydney University holds a unique position in the Australian higher education market as offering the only FASEA accredited postgraduate degree in Stockbroking.   Western offers a full suite of courses for this market, from undergraduate to postgraduate, and is further complementing its offerings by developing short courses for approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Western Sydney University Tax Clinic

The School of Business at Western Sydney University received a grant from the Australian federal government to establish a Tax Clinic within WSU.  The School was pre-selected by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to establish a Tax Clinic at the Parramatta City Campus to provide advice and assistance to taxpayers, and to prepare and train students to provide advice and assistance – giving real work experience to those students who participate via an internship.  Educational Seminars will also be provided to affected taxpayer populations on relevant topics.  This is part of a National Tax Clinic Trial.  To date the Tax Clinic has assisted 110 clients and engaged 17 students as interns to assist and advise clients.

October 2019