DeakinPrime provides tailored professional certification programs which offer a variety of educational solutions for corporations, professional associations and government.
DeakinPrime specialises in distance education programs where study material can be delivered online or in hard copy format. This flexibility, in conjunction with user friendly online enrolment and assessment facilities, provides a convenient and effective response to your professional certification needs.
DeakinPrime provides the following services when developing your professional certification program:
DeakinPrime also provides consistent and reliable administrative and technical support for students and clients. This gives your organisation peace of mind knowing that your greatest asset - your people - are guided and supported through the educational process.
DeakinPrime's professional certification programs can also lead to advanced standing credits into Deakin University’s higher education programs, providing continuing educational pathways.
With the option of badging your professional program with the look and feel of your industry association or organisation, DeakinPrime enables a truly personalised solution to your organisation's learning and development needs.
DeakinPrime can respond comprehensively and flexibly to all your professional certification needs. Typical programs DeakinPrime offer include:
The Property Investment Association of Australia (PIAA) in partnership with DeakinPrime, the corporate arm of Deakin University, has developed the PIAA Accreditation Program, a professional industry award, to address the need for professionals in the property investment industry and related industries to be appropriately qualified to give advice in property investment.
The PIAA is committed to the development of industry standards in property investment advice. It has developed the Accreditation Program as the first step in quality education for all those involved in giving property investment advice to retail property investors.
The Accreditation Program has been aligned with the Financial Services Reform (FSR) provisions of the Corporations Act and with ASIC Policy Statement 146 training requirements for regulated financial services.
This program has been developed as an industry benchmark of knowledge and skills for all those professionals in industries involved with property investment and for individuals wishing to develop a career in property investment advising.
This program is an Industry Accreditation Program, consisting of five modules, each containing 7-10 topics. Each module is presented in hard copy book form. Assessment is a blended approach, consisting of an online exam and an assignment for each module, plus a skills assessment as a third assessment component of Module 4.
Each module is designed to be studied within a 10 week semester period with three semesters being offered per annum. Modules should be studied in sequence from Module 1 to Module 5 - that is, later modules will assume that you have already completed the earlier ones. Please see the table below for the Semester Intake dates:
| 2008 Intake | Enrolments Close | Semester Start | Assignment Due Date |
Online Exam / Semester Close |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sem 1, 2008 | 11 Jan 2008 | 18 Feb 2008 | 31 March 2008 | 25 April 2008 |
| Sem 2, 2008 | 02 May 2008 | 09 June 2008 | 21 July 2008 | 15 Aug 2008 |
| Sem 3, 2008 | 22 Aug 2008 | 29 Sept 2008 | 10 Nov 2008 | 05 Dec 2008 |
Participants who successfully complete the program will be entitled to use the post-nominal "QPIA" (Qualified Property Investment Advisor).
The PIAA was formed by industry practitioners with the objective of representing and raising the professional standards of all those industries involved with property investment.
By developing codes of ethics and conduct, and professional standards of accreditation and education the PIAA demonstrate to the investing public, government, regulators, the media and other stakeholders their commitment to excellence. PIAA welcomes the opportunity to invite you to join as a member. Their website address is www.piaa.org.au.
DeakinPrime, the corporate arm of Deakin University, is Australia's foremost provider of distinctive and effective education and development programs and services. DeakinPrime has extensive experience in designing and delivering quality professional certification programs for some of Australia's leading corporations and associations.
Module 1: Introduction to Property Investment
Module 1 provides an overview of property investment. This module begins with definitions of advice and discussion of the possible implications of Financial Services Reform, and outlines an approved process for giving property investment advice. The module outlines principles of town planning and land use, discusses architecture and building styles, examines direct and indirect property types, and considers the relationship between economic markets and property markets. The module outlines the principles of property valuation and the factors that should be considered when evaluating a potential investment property, and provides an overview of the main players in the property industry.
Module 2: Ethical Guidelines and Regulatory Requirements
Module 2 focuses on ethics, legislation and regulation. This module begins with a discussion of Codes of Practice, Codes of Ethics and industry 'norms'. The module also examines legislation relating to consumers and legislation relating to property. External regulators and their roles are outlined. This module also discusses establishing and complying with organisational guidelines. Other important topics in this module are consumer protection, investment literacy, and due diligence.
Module 3: Elements of a Property Investment Strategy
Module 3 provides you with the background to enable you to develop a property investment strategy, including principles of investment finance, how property fits into an investment portfolio, property investment strategies and principles of strategy development. This module also explains financial calculations and analysis of returns. Researching and analysing information about property is also explained. Finally, principles of property management and taxation of property are discussed.
Module 4: Building Property Investment Strategies to Achieve Client Investment Goals
Module 4 outlines traditional financial planning processes for determining client requirements and expectations, but it does so with a focus on property investment and the property investment process. The module begins with the client interview and goes on to discuss explaining the property investment process to the client. The module examines how the client's preferences, priorities and financial situation are determined, how decisions are made about appropriate ownership structures for the client, and how to establish the client's property investment parameters. The module then outlines formulation of a strategy for a client, presenting recommendations to the client, explaining the principles of ongoing review, and preparing and filing client documentation.
Module 5: Implement and Manage the Property Investment Strategy
Module 5 discusses the process of selecting a property for the client, showing the property to the client, and negotiating the purchase. This module explains contractual purchase and settlement, financing the property, establishing ongoing management, monitoring the performance of the property investment, and managing contingencies such as time without a tenant or a drop in property prices. The roles of associated people such as solicitors, bankers, insurers, conveyancers, accountants, financial planners and financiers are discussed. Finally, this module outlines processes for reviewing a client's investment strategy.
Please refer to the PDF enrolment form for enrolment fees. The enrolment form can be accessed via the web links below in 'application for enrolment'.
Step 1
Download and complete the following enrolment form:
Step 2
Lodge your enrolment application with DeakinPrime by mail or fax:
PIAA Program Manager
DeakinPrime
Level 6, 601 Bourke St
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Fax: (03) 9918 9001
Step 3
Once you have submitted your enrolment form, you will be notified via email with the status of your application.
This approval process exists to ensure that you have the capacity and access to information required to complete the program.