Our Terms and Conditions section also contains information which you may find helpful, particularly regarding the Certificate IV course.

Q. Do you offer courses by distance education mode and online?

A. Yes, all courses are offered by both distance education and online. Click here for a FNS40804 Fact Sheet ("Cert IV") or click here for a FNS50504 Fact Sheet (Diploma).  Further courses will be offered by distance/online education mode in the future.

Q. What happens if I enrol in a course, but then can’t attend?

A. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions section.

Q. How can I pay for my course?

A. Flexible options are available for course payment.  On the course enrolment form you can choose to include your credit card details on the form.  Our bank details are also provided on the form if you wish to pay via direct deposit.  You can also pay securely through PayPal.  Just click on PayPal Option and choose which course you wish to undertake and this will take you through to a PayPal-secured window where you can choose to pay by your credit card or from your Paypal account.   This page will also show you what Package Deals are on offer at the moment to save you money.

Q. How does graduate placement work?

A. If you wish to be considered for graduate placement, you should provide us with a complete resume after you have achieved your qualification.  NFI will then scan your resume and email it to our industry partners for consideration in employment, with your permission.  Alternatively, please click on Graduate Placement and complete the basic form provided and this will automatically be emailed to NFI for retention on our system.  When NFI hears of an employment opportunity we will email you to ensure you are interested and then we can provide each party with contact details.

Q. Do you offer training for larger corporate groups?

A. Yes, we offer tailored solutions to corporate clients. NFI can blend a course and contents to develop a training solution suited to individual or group needs.  We can also assess a group's requirements and suggest a possible RPL/shorter training group session either over weekdays or weekends to suit specific needs.  As an example, a financial planning firm may have a group of advisors seeking to complete their Cert IV in mortgage broking in order to comply with ASIC requirements. Click here for more details.

Q. When are exam timetables available for distance education students?

A. The Cert IV exam can be undertaken either as a hard copy (under supervision) or via our online platform (internet access required).  If you choose for a hard copy to be sent, you will need to select an Invigilator to supervise you when you are ready to sit for your exam.  You should forward an Exam Request form to NFI advising of your Invigilator's contact details.  This form will be provided in your course manual or is available on this website under Forms & Freebies.  An Invigilator kit will then be forwarded to your supervisor by mail. The exam will be included in this kit in a sealed envelope and you can then sit your exam with your supervisor at a time that suits you. If you choose to complete your Cert IV exam via our online e-learning platform, you may complete your exam online when you are ready, and in this case you will not require a supervisor as the online platform will automatically provide a small clock that will begin to count once you begin your exam.

Q. Will doing work experience help me to get a job?

A. Yes, in most cases undertaking work experience demonstrates initiative and enthusiasm to potential employers, therefore increasing your likelihood of gaining employment.

Q. Do you provide specific course information on this website?

A. Yes, you will find Course Fact Sheets in the Courses section of this website.

Q. How do I find out about available jobs in the Mortgage Industry?

A. Advertised jobs are only the tip of the ‘employment iceberg’. To locate available jobs you should try to start networking within the Mortgage Industry. Attend industry functions, conferences and awards nights – get known! Perhaps start locating jobs in industry magazines, employment websites eg. www.seek.com.au and employment agencies that specialise in the Mortgage Industry. For example:  www.vanillaconsulting.com.au.

Q. Can I speak to someone about NFI’s courses?

A. Yes, certainly- please call NFI on 1300 765 400 – we’d be delighted to hear from you.

Q. When do course enrolments close?

A. You can find a schedule of proposed course dates by clicking here. We ask that you submit your Course Enrolment Form to us by fax or mail or scan/email as far in advance as possible of your chosen course date.

Q. When do I need to make payment?

A. Payment is not required until the week before a workshop commences.  Distance education and online courses can commence at any time you desire.  Distance learning course material will be sent by express post usually within 24 hours of receipt of payment.  Your online login instructions will be emailed within 24 hours of receipt of payment (usually same day).

Q. How can I send in my enrolment form?

A. Course Enrolment Forms can be sent via fax or mail, or you may scan and email to NFI.  Pricing details are provided on the enrolment form.  There is a standard PDF format or there is an Interactive PDF format to choose from.

Q. How will my results be advised to me?

A. You will receive your results via post, not more than two weeks after you have submitted all of your assessments. Online students' assessment results will be shown under "Grades" via the online platform, after login. The only results online students will have access to will be their own.

Q. What if I don’t pass my assignments?

A. NFI’s trainers are available for assistance by phone or email to help you if you encounter difficulty in completing your assignments. If you do not reach the 85% pass mark on your first attempt, you can re-submit your assignments at no extra cost. We want to help you achieve success whenever possible.

Q. When do I get my Certificate?

A. You will receive your Certificate once your assessments have been submitted and you have achieved 85% or higher. We will forward this to you by post, within 2 weeks of NFI's receipt of your assessments. We can also fax or email a copy to you, ahead of mailing it, if required for industry association (eg. MFAA) membership purposes.

Q. After qualifying what initials (post/nominals) can I use after my name?

A. If you achieve the Diploma qualification you can use Dip FS (FMBM).  For the Cert IV qualification you can use Cert IV FS (FMB).

Q. What is RPL and who can apply?

A. For access to the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) application form, please click here.  For general details on the RPL process, please click here.

Q. I have done a Certificate IV, how do I upgrade to a Diploma of Financial Services (Finance/Mortgage Broking Management)?

A. NFI offer the nationally recognised FNS50310 Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management course for those students that wish to upgrade their Cert IV.  The Diploma qualification is ideal for finance and mortgage brokers wanting further understanding of commercial financing and for "Cert IV" graduates seeking a higher qualification.

Q. I have no experience in mortgage broking - which course should I do?

A. The minimum qualification for those seeking to enter the mortgage/lending industry is the FNS40804 or FNS40810 Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking course. This should be the first course that you complete ahead of seeking employment or undertaking self-employment in this industry. If you are seeking the higher qualification of a Diploma you will still need to successfully complete the Cert IV course.  It is recommended that trainees attain some work experience before upgrading to the Diploma course, but it is not essential.

Q. I have some experience in residential lending but would like to understand how to do commercial loans - what should I do?

A. If you already hold your "Cert IV" qualification you can upgrade from this to a Diploma qualification. The Diploma covers subjects on Risk and Risk Management but also covers advanced broking options for brokers which includes Commercial Lending.  Successful completion of the Diploma course entitles you to a Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management, FNS50310.

Q. Is the Mortgage Consultant Qualifying Certificate the same as a Certificate IV?

A. The MCQC course is the name previously used for the FNS40804 Certificate IV in Financial Services (Finance/Mortgage Broking). The FNS40804 course is now replaced by the FNS40810 course and is nationally recognised under our Registered Training Organisation (RTO) national provider number 31203. Successful completion of this course along with successful completion of the MFAA's Initial Compliance Pack (referred to as 201A), will fulfil the education requirements for Accredited Mortgage Consultant status with the MFAA.

Q. Who is NFI and what is an RTO?

A. NFI stands for The National Finance Institute. NFI is an RTO which stands for Registered Training Organisation.  An RTO is a nationally recognised and registered provider of training.  NFI provides training courses Australia-wide through face-to-face workshops, distance learning and online e-learning.  Certificates issued by NFI are AQF qualifications and recognised all around Australia and by other countries.  AQTF stands for the Australian Qualifications Training Framework body and they provide nationally agreed principles for the registration of RTO's.  The National Finance Institute is also a Full Member of the MFAA.

Q. Can I undertake the course as an Apprentice or under a Traineeship?

A.  To obtain an apprenticeship or traineeship, you must find an appropriate employment opportunity. This can be done in a number of ways, eg: Checking job advertisements in local/regional/daily newspapers. Self canvassing ie, check the local yellow pages and contact employers/send a CV to them and follow up by phone or in person. You could also contact a job network provider or a local Australian Apprenticeships Centre (just enter your postcode at this link).  These job network providers provide their services for no charge to trainees/employers (NFI recommend MEGT (www.megt.com.au) or  Busy At Work (busyatwork.com.au) and they will do all the paperwork for you and your employer and advise of the funding available to your employer. There are no age related limits on entering traineeship arrangements.  MEGT will be able to  help you clarify your eligibility for incentives. Ensure you mention NFI as your chosen RTO.

Q. Can I do a Traineeship if I've just arrived from Overseas?

A.  Apprenticeships and traineeships are work-based training arrangements. It is a requirement that an apprentice/trainee sign a Training Contract for a set period of time ranging from six months to four years. A person holding a visa would need to be able to commit to completing the full training period (specified in the relevant vocational training order) set out in the Training Contract. A person who may only hold a one month visa would not be able to make that commitment. A range of other factors would also need to be considered for example, visa restrictions placed on the person working in Australia, their eligibility to receive funding for apprenticeship and traineeship training, whether their employer would be eligible for employer incentives from the Commonwealth Government, etc.

Q. I don’t know whether being a mortgage broker is the right decision for me or not. Is there any way to find out what it’s really like being a mortgage broker before I commit to doing the full course?

A. Yes, you can attend one of NFI’s information evenings which are held in different cities throughout Australia a few times a year. Click here for a Fact Sheet.  Alternatively you may wish to phone us to ask any industry questions you may have.  We are happy to help where we can.  Alternatively you can call us and we can suggest some websites which offer additional information.

Q. Will you help me get accreditation with the banks and other lenders after I have completed my course?

A. NFI may provide the relevant contact details for students to arrange lender accreditations. Many mortgage broking groups (for example, aggregators and franchisors) arrange lender accreditations for their brokers. The provision of accreditation with lending institutions is at their discretion.

Q. How many CPD points do I get for completing the courses

A. You are eligible for 16 CPD points if you completed the Cert IV FNS40804 course and also 10 CPD points if you completed the Diploma FNS50504 course.

Q. Does NFI do Webinars?

A. Yes, we offer webinars once per month for only $22 per session, or $240 per annum.  Click here for more information.

Q. What do I need if I want to join the MFAA?

A. In order to join the MFAA, there are a number of requirements which are outlined on the MFAA website at http://www.mfaa.com.au/default.asp?menuid=21.  However, for a summary of what educational requirements are necessary as at January 2011, just click here