How to become a Paraplanner

Also called: Financial Adviser Assistant, Financial Planning Assistant

Provides administrative and client services assistance, and performs financial planning and analysis for Financial Advisers and planners.

Main tasks

• Assists with financial advice strategy development and the preparation of legally compliant advice documents
• Uses financial planning software programs and maintains client records
• Researches, compares, sources quotes and selects appropriate financial products
• May develop financial projections and modelling of client circumstances
• May coordinate and take notes in client meetings, and respond to client queries

Ways in

• University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning (FNS60920); Diploma of Financial Markets (FNS51022); Certificate III in Accounts Administration (FNS30322); Certificate IV in Local Government (LGA40120); Diploma of Local Government (LGA50120); Diploma of Financial Counselling (CHC51122)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $78,052 a year
• About 40,700 people work in this job group now, and about 43,800 are projected by 2035. (+7.6%)
• Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

Related jobs

• Investment Administrator
• Bank Officer
• Credit or Loans Officer
• Business Broker
• Commodities Trader
• Finance Broker

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Paraplanner?

Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning; Diploma of Financial Markets.

How much does a Paraplanner earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $78,052 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Paraplanner a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2035, from about 40,700 to about 43,800 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Paraplanner?

Not always. 57% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning; Diploma of Financial Markets.

Will AI change the work of a Paraplanner?

Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04