Kaplan Professional says it has registered a record number of enrolments in its first intake of the year, as it points towards a growing industry sentiment of “getting on” with education requirements regardless of proposed experience pathways.

The financial educator says about 50% of advisers who have currently undergone or have completed their studies would have fit the proposed 10-year experience exemption for financial planners without a formal education.

“The theme of just getting on with it regardless of whether or not they meet the proposed 10-year exemption seems to be a consistent one,” Kaplan Professional CEO Brian Knight said.

“There is no doubt that the critical element of education in any profession is increasingly well understood by advisers.”

The figures come after a “significant upward trend” in the second half of registrations to the program last year, with enrolments now at their largest number since late 2021.

Kaplan Professional says key trends have shown that most enrolled students are interested in completing full qualifications rather than standalone bridging courses, with enrolments for late-stage financial planning courses recording notably high numbers.

Mr Knight applauds advisers who have “taken on the challenge of postgraduate financial planning studies” despite many continuing to work full time, support their families, or operate their businesses.

“While engagement with formal education is at its highest level since late 2021, pleasingly advisers are also extending their knowledge and skills by completing continuing professional development and specialist short courses in record numbers,” Mr Knight said.

“Those who are enrolling in postgraduate financial planning qualifications for the first time are looking at it as a long-term investment – one that benefits both their career and the quality of advice that they deliver to their clients.”