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How to Become An Estate Planner

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What is a Estate Planner

An estate planner helps people take care of their assets and plan for the future. They work with wills, trusts, and tax strategies so clients can pass on their wealth the way they choose.

Every day, estate planners sit down with clients to understand their goals and family situation. They review what clients own, what they owe, and what they want to happen when they pass. Then they put a clear, legal plan in place.

The role involves drafting documents, working with lawyers and accountants, and giving advice on tax and superannuation. Estate planners also update plans when laws change or clients’ lives change.

This is a meaningful career for people who want to make a real difference. It combines financial know-how with genuine care for people. And as more Australians look to protect their wealth, demand for estate planners keeps growing.

Explore study options in Financial Planning

Career Outlook for Estate Planner

Estate planning is a career with solid long-term prospects in Australia. The population is ageing, and more Australians want help to protect their wealth and provide for their families. This is creating steady demand for skilled estate planners.

Estate planners typically work full-time in law firms, financial planning firms, or accounting firms. Most work around 40 hours per week. Based on recent Australian data, professionals in this field tend to be in their mid-40s. This reflects the trust and experience clients look for when planning their estates.

Jobs and Skills Australia (2025) rates the Financial Investment Adviser occupation at moderate future demand. Estate planning roles fall within this group. Pay starts at around $65,000 and can reach $147,000 or more with experience. With the right skills and a growing client base, estate planning offers a rewarding and stable career.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to Become an Estate Planner

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Financial Planning, or Commerce

Start with a three- to four-year bachelor’s degree at an Australian university. A Bachelor of Laws (LLB or JD) or a Bachelor of Financial Planning both provide a strong base. A Bachelor of Commerce with a financial planning major is also a solid option. Your degree gives you the knowledge you need to advise on wills, trusts, and estate structures. Pick a program backed by the Law Society in your state or by the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA).

Step 2: Complete Your Practical Training

After your degree, you need hands-on training before you can practise on your own. Lawyers must complete a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (PLT), which takes six to twelve months full-time. Financial planners must complete a Professional Year of supervised practice, which takes twelve months. Both pathways give you the hands-on experience that employers and licensing bodies require.

Step 3: Get Licensed or Registered to Practise

Lawyers apply for a practising certificate from the Law Society in their state or territory. Financial planners must work under an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) or apply for their own through ASIC. Without one of these, you cannot give legal or financial planning advice in Australia.

Step 4: Earn the CFP® Certification or a STEP Qualification

The CFP® certification, delivered by the FAAA, is the benchmark for financial planners in Australia. It takes twelve to eighteen months part-time. If you want to focus on trusts and estate structures, a STEP qualification is widely respected. Confirm current details at step.org. Both add weight to your profile and open doors to more complex client work.

Step 5: Join a Professional Body and Keep Your CPD Current

Join the FAAA, STEP, or your state Law Society to access peer networks, events, and CPD resources. All require annual continuing professional development (CPD) to keep your registration active. Keeping up with changes to tax law, superannuation rules, and succession law is key in this field. Active membership also builds the referral networks that help grow your practice.

What does an Estate Planner do?

Estate planners work with clients to build a solid plan for what happens to their assets after they pass. On a typical day, they meet with clients, review their assets, and explain their options. They draft key documents like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. They also monitor tax and superannuation rules, and update plans as clients’ lives and the law evolve. Estate planners often team up with lawyers and accountants to make sure every part of the plan works together. At their best, estate planners give clients peace of mind and a clear path forward.

Tasks

Estate planners help clients secure their financial legacy and provide for the people they love. The role mixes legal knowledge, financial strategy, and genuine human connection. Every client’s situation is different, which keeps the work varied and rewarding.

  • Client Consultations – Sit down with clients to understand their goals, assets, and wishes for the future.
  • Document Drafting – Prepare wills, trusts, and powers of attorney so clients’ wishes are legally protected.
  • Tax Planning – Identify ways to reduce estate-related tax, including capital gains and superannuation strategies.
  • Asset Reviews – Look at each client’s full asset base to make sure the plan covers everything.
  • Trust Administration – Set up and manage trusts that protect assets for future generations.
  • Plan Updates – Review and refresh plans when clients’ lives change or new laws come into effect.
  • Team Collaboration – Work with lawyers, accountants, and financial advisers to deliver a complete plan.
  • Community Education – Run workshops or info sessions to help people understand estate planning.

Skills for Success

To do well as an estate planner, you need both technical knowledge and strong people skills. You need to understand Australian laws around wills, trusts, superannuation, and tax. You also need to keep up as those laws change over time.

Just as important is the ability to connect with clients. Estate planning often involves tough conversations about death, family, and money. Clients need to feel heard and supported. Good estate planners make complex ideas easy to understand. They also stay highly organised to manage multiple clients and documents at once.

Skills & Attributes

  • Knowledge of wills, trusts, and succession law
  • Understanding of Australian tax and superannuation rules
  • Attention to detail in legal documents
  • Clear written and verbal communication
  • Active listening and empathy
  • Analytical thinking to assess complex financial situations
  • Organisational skills to manage multiple client files
  • Ability to work with lawyers, accountants, and financial advisers
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development
  • Problem-solving to create tailored estate plans

Average Salaries

Estate planners in Australia typically earn between $65,000 and $147,000 per year. The average salary is around $117,000 (ERI Economic Research Institute, 2026). Pay goes up with experience, credentials, and client complexity.

min $65 K

max $147 K

av $117 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson - Course Finder Groups
Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.