TAL launches 2019 Risk Academy program

TAL, a leading Australian life insurance specialist, today launched the 2019 schedule for its industry-leading, product-agnostic adviser education program, the TAL Risk Academy.

The 2019 program includes new courses and university partnerships that support advisers with the education requirements from the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA).

Key additions include a new FASEA Masterclass to help advisers prepare for the FASEA exam, which all advisers need to pass by the end of 2020, and a redesigned course structure that aligns with FASEA’s new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) system. TAL Risk Academy students will also be eligible for fee discounts and pathway options with TAL’s university partners. 

TAL Head of Licensees and Partnerships, Beau Riley, said TAL was focused on supporting its adviser partners to stay ahead in a changing industry through TAL’s 2019 Risk Academy curriculum.

“The TAL Risk Academy is committed to providing education and continuous learning support to advisers and the 2019 program is no exception. Our new courses and university partnerships provide efficient and cost-effective pathways to help support advisers with the required education under the new legislation.

“The advice and life insurance industries are undergoing significant change at the moment and TAL’s aim is to support our adviser partners by providing resources and guidance to help them meet the new FASEA guidelines and provide the best possible outcomes for their clients.

“By completing courses from the TAL Risk Academy, advisers could subsequently save considerable time and cost by enrolling with TAL’s partner universities, where they can obtain discounts off their course fees and access a graduate pathway,” he said.

TAL Risk Academy has added 13 new product-agnostic courses to its suite of over 60 courses, which are available via webinar, on-demand or face-to-face. The courses engage leading industry experts across a broad spectrum of areas relating to risk advice, including practice management and social media marketing. 

The majority of courses are available free of charge, with masterclasses attracting a fee that is donated to charity. In 2018, more than 1,400 advisers attended TAL Risk Academy masterclasses, raising over $65,000 for the Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) Scholarship Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that connects business with disadvantaged children to improve their education. To date, TAL has raised over $255,000 for the ABCN through TAL Risk Academy.

The Risk Academy offers up to 100 CPD hours and all courses and materials are accredited by the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA). 

To access TAL Risk Academy, visit: https://riskacademy.tal.com.au.