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Explore the history, rules and regulations of superannuation and how it fits into Australia’s economic landscape – and become RG146 compliant.
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This diploma has been designed to prepare participants with the skills and knowledge that could be applied in a broad range of specialist and management roles in the superannuation industry.
Participants completing the course will develop an understanding of numerous technical operations, including performing industry research and analysis, and the evaluation of effective and compliant superannuation operations and strategies.
Participants will graduate with a valuable overview of the industry, and an understanding of the various superannuation functions and legislation that shape the superannuation landscape.
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Anyone wanting a career in Australia's superannuation industry.
Module 1 introduces participants to many of the concepts that will define their understanding of how the superannuation industry operates; from the structure of super trusts, the administration of Super Guarantee, the different types of super fund and benefit designs, to navigating super investments and the rules that dictate how and when we can contribute to, and get access to our super.
3 CPD hours
Unit of competency: FNSFLT515 - Facilitate knowledge of superannuation as an investment tool
This module explores the structures and relationships that super fund employees and service providers encounter, and how legislative, licensing and common law obligations shape the nature of roles, interactions and hierarchies in the superannuation environment.
6 CPD hours
Units of competency: FNSINC411 - Conduct work according to professional practices in the financial services industry FNSFMK515 - Comply with financial services regulation and industry codes of practice
By focusing on super investment operations, this module delves into how complex legislative obligations and prudential standards are adopted by super funds, and translated into their internal frameworks for sound implementation and governance according to a wide variety of member demographics and expectations.
Units of competency: FNSSUP517 - Review performance of superannuation funds against regulatory and contractual requirements FNSORG614 - Establish and manage outsourced services
This module provides participants with a useful overview of today’s highly evolved but nuanced group life insurance landscape, and peers into the world of establishing group life insurance contracts, relationships, policies and processes. Participants will also explore a variety of group life benefit designs used across the super industry, as well as the role of underwriting within the boundaries of this default system.
Units of competency: FNSSUP512 - Manage insurer liaison within a superannuation organisation FNSILF506 - Manage Group Life Insurance claims
Module 5 introduces participants to the variety of industry standards and regulations that establish how superannuation contributions can be made and received, and the circumstances in which benefits can be distributed to super fund members or their dependants.
Units of competency: FNSSUP516 - Manage compliance with operational guidelines in superannuation organisations FNSSUP417 - Assess superannuation benefits and insurance claims under special conditions of release
This module takes participants into the requirements of super fund internal and external dispute resolution procedures, and explores how the design, delivery and communication of these services can be a valuable opportunity to engage with dissatisfied members.
Unit of competency: FNSSUP511 - Manage customer complaints in superannuation
This module examines the different super and retirement products that are available, and demonstrates how these products and features are effectively communicated to members in a complex, highly regulated environment.
Units of competency: FNSINC412 - Apply and maintain knowledge of financial products and services FNSSUP514 - Provide information or general advice to superannuation client
This module is optional and covers some further learning requirements of ASIC’s RG 146 Generic and Specialist Knowledge areas that are not included in the seven modules of the diploma. By completing this module, participants will become RG 146-compliant.
This module is being offered only to those participants who register for the full course together for one session at no additional cost
*Please note that Module 8 is an additional non-accredited module and is NOT a part of this Diploma course
Participants have up to twelve (12) months to successfully complete the course and assessments. The twelve-month time frame commences from the first day of a facilitated course, or from the date of receipt of the course material for a student completing the course on a self-paced basis.
Participants may need to spend up to 60 hours per module to complete their own reading, module review activities and the course assessment tasks. Students who are new to the financial services industry, or who have limited industry experience may need to spend additional time each week completing the course activities or conducting further research on topics that are not familiar to them.
IMPORTANT - Please review before enrolling in this course!
AIST is here to support your student needs. If you have any questions or concerns surrounding the information below, please contact us on [email protected] or 03 8677 3800.
Participants must have a minimum Certificate IV Qualification or 2 years industry work experience and be 18 years or older to enrol into the AIST Diploma of Superannuation.
Prior to the course commencement date, participants will be required to complete the Pre-Course activities including a Course Questionnaire to ensure that each student has the sufficient language, literacy and numeracy skills (as outlined below) to successfully complete the course and to identify if students have any specific individual support needs for their learning experience. Each module will also require participants to access pre-delivery activities including videos, readings and activities that are to be completed prior to the first session.
Additional information may be requested if AIST has any concerns about a participant’s ability to complete the course, which will be used to support a decision about the enrolment including any support for the participant. If for any reason AIST is unable to accept a participant’s enrolment, they will be contacted and the reasons for the decision will be explained and a full refund provided. Any alternative courses or pathways will be discussed with the participant.
Please refer to the AIST Participant Handbook to familiarise yourself with important information in relation to studying with AIST and relevant policies and procedures.
AIST courses are delivered and assessed in English and require you to read comprehensive course materials, complete a range of written and verbal assessments and undertake independent study and homework activities. In addition, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written and verbal communication.
If you have any doubts about whether you have the language, literacy and numeracy skills to undertake this course, please contact our Education team on [email protected] or 03 8677 3800 to discuss your circumstances.
If you need additional support, there are a number of organisations in Australia who provide English language and literacy services. Some suggestions are listed below:
Please note that fees and charges for these services may apply and will be the responsibility of the student.
You will need access to a computer satisfying the following minimum systems requirements:
You’ll also need to have access to one (1) of the following devices with audio and video recording functionality:
Delivery of the course will be through our Learning Management Software (LMS) called Learnbook. Participants will access content, activity and resources as well as submit any assessments via Learnbook.
To successfully complete this qualification, individuals will require basic computing skills. This will include:
If you have a special learning need or condition which may impact on your ability to study or to complete the assessment tasks, please make us aware of your circumstances prior to commencing study or as soon as possible thereafter.
Please contact our Education team on [email protected] or 03 8677 3800 to request assistance and discuss appropriate support options.
AIST offers courses face-to-face, virtual facilitation or a hybrid of both in a classroom setting. Participants have up to twelve (12) months to complete the course. AIST aims to provide flexibility in our course delivery. There are three delivery modes that participants can choose to enroll into that best suits their time management or needs. These three modes are a Full Diploma Enrolment, the Sunrise Diploma Enrolment or Modular Diploma Enrolment explained below.
Full Diploma Enrolment: Participants choosing the Full Diploma enrollment are making a commitment to attempt the entire Diploma over the course of three weeks. Sessions are run three hours per day for two days a week over three weeks. This is an intensive program of study and is best suited to practitioners in the Superannuation industry with a number of years of work practice.
Sunrise mode: Participants choosing the Sunrise Diploma enrollment are able to enjoy learning over several weeks. Delivered early in the morning (8:30am to 9:30am East Coast and West Coast time) over three mornings per week over 12 weeks gives participants the opportunity learn over time in small easily digestible classes. A great way to start your day by connecting with Superannuation colleagues.
Modular enrolment: For those seeking greater flexibility the Diploma of Superannuation can be completed over two years module by module. This allows participants to create their own timetable and that suits their work and life commitments.
Pre-reading will be required for the classroom learning experience. Facilitated courses give participants the ability to work together through course content in an applied learning environment. Participants are working on superannuation specific applications as well as case studies and other resources. This may include face to face or virtual classroom environments.
Currently all courses at AIST are being delivered in a virtual format using Zoom meeting application. However it is the aim of AIST to return to a hybrid of face to face and remote learning as soon as it is safe to do so.
Key benefits include:
A Credit Transfer (CT) is formal recognition of the previous studies you have completed for the purpose of reducing the unit/s that you are required to complete in the course you are enrolled in with us.
You can apply for a CT at any time, however it is best you do this prior to the course commencement date so that credits are known upfront and you are not required to do any work that you otherwise may not have needed to do.
Please refer to the AIST Student Handbook for more details and information on how to apply for a CT.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where skills and knowledge that you have gained through work and life experience and other unrecognised training can be formally recognised.
It is best to apply for RPL prior to the course commencement date so that you are not required to do any work that you otherwise may not have needed to do. Please refer to the AIST Participant Handbook for more information on how to determine if RPL is a suitable option for you or to apply for RPL.
This course is comprised of twelve (12) units of competency from the FNS Financial Services Training Package:
There are no pre-requisite units for this course.
The assessment tasks are designed to test your understanding of the twelve (12) units of competency and ensure that you can apply this knowledge in a practical way.
More information on assessment structure will be shared in the coming weeks.
Assessment results will be provided to you within four (4) weeks of AIST receiving your completed assessment tasks. Your assessor will provide you with written feedback and confirm the outcome of your assessment via email.
Upon successful completion of all requirements for this course, the Diploma and Statement of Results will be issued to you via email within 30 days after your results have been provided.
The AIST Student Handbook is an important resource to guide you through your study. Please take the time to read this information to ensure you’re well informed. Access the AIST Student Handbook here.
The handbook includes information on:
It is the responsibility of all participants to familiarise themselves with, and adhere to, all relevant AIST Education policies and procedures.
AIST Education policies and procedures can be viewed here:
If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to get in touch!