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Kaplan Professional has announced new accelerated study options, including Spring and Summer Intensives, enabling advisers to access all eight core subjects of the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning with early access to materials ahead of the year-end Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) deadline.
The Spring Intensive begins on Oct. 6, with materials available from Sept. 22. The Summer Intensive starts on October 27, with early access from Oct. 13. Results for the Spring intake will be released on December 9 and for the Summer intake on December 15, ensuring advisers can complete requirements before the December 31, 2025 deadline.
Each intensive runs for six weeks, and advisers are encouraged to enrol in one subject per period. Kaplan Professional has indicated that advisers with multiple outstanding subjects may be allowed to take on more if they believe they can manage the workload.
Chief executive Brian Knight said the two additional intakes were introduced to give advisers every possible opportunity to finalise their studies.
“Kaplan Professional has supported more than 90 per cent of the market through this transition. Our priority now is to ensure those still completing their studies can meet the deadline with certainty,” he said.
Knight added that strong interest in the Winter Intensive confirmed demand for shorter study options.
“The response to our first intensive was extremely strong, with higher-than-expected enrolments and an excellent level of student commitment. It is clear this format is a vital avenue for advisers who need a flexible, accelerated option to complete their studies and meet the deadline,” said Knight.
He also warned that further delay could put advisers at risk of missing the cut-off, saying there remains a path to completion if they enrol promptly, commit to their studies, and utilise available support.
In addition to the six-week intakes, Kaplan Professional is offering one final standard 12-week intake this year. Study Period 6 begins on October 13 and finishes on January 16, 2026. This option does not meet the 2025 deadline but is available to new entrants, advisers who have already met the FAS requirements, or those pursuing specialist electives, designations, or the Master of Financial Planning.
Advisers unable to complete their education by Dec. 31 must remove their names from the Financial Adviser Register (FAR) before the deadline if they plan to return later. Those who do not will need to re-enter the industry as new entrants.
Kaplan Professional has also advised advisers to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) before Dec. 31, as credits for past experience, designations, and study will not be available after that date.
