The teams and individuals, representing four universities and TAFE, were selected from more than 170 submissions across the country and will now head to Finals Day on 30 October.

Now in its 10th year, the AMP University Challenge gives tertiary students the opportunity to test their skills as a financial adviser and win $5,000 if they are declared the ultimate winner.

Head of Advice Education, Capability and Careers, Rod Edge, said: “The AMP University Challenge is a pillar of AMP’s support for the next generation of financial advisers and a professional financial advice sector.”

The finalists are:

• Sarah Pearson and Jordan Finch (University of Canberra)
• David Lautner (TAFE NSW)
• Sarah Sheehan, Lachlan Cruickshank, Mathew Marshall (Griffith University)
• Ryan Ramos and Anuj Umesh Shukla (Western Sydney University)
• Anuj Umesh Shukla (Central Queensland University)

To reach the finals, the competitors had to devise a financial plan for a hypothetical Australian couple, which demonstrated that the advice took into account the pair’s circumstances and was in their best interests.

In next month’s finals, a challenging round of academic and performance-based tests will decide the winner, including competitors presenting their financial plan in a meeting with their clients.

Finalists usually compete at AMP’s Sydney headquarters, but this year the finals will be “virtual” due to COVID-19. Mr Edge said the experience would mirror that of real financial advisers as they moved to remote engagement with their clients this year to comply with lockdowns.

The first winner of the AMP University Challenge in 2011, Michelle Carroll, credits the competition with launching her on a successful career in financial advice.

“After doing the Uni Challenge it really confirmed it was the right area for me,” Ms Carroll said. “It really opened my eyes to the opportunities that were out there.”

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