Charles Sturt University has begun a new free massive open online course (MOOC) on estate planning, to be run over the next five weeks.

The course will be facilitated by Mr Michael Perkins, one of Australia's leading professionals in Estates Practice, and introduces students to the skills needed to become a successful financial planner or estate adviser.

Course activities focus on developing the communication skills that underpin success in estates practice engagements.

Students who successfully complete the course will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from the University's Faculty of Business.

Professor in Finance in the School of Accounting and Finance at CSU Adam Steen said, "Students undertaking this course will also get a taste of distance education at Charles Sturt University, which offers a Master of Applied Finance".

"The Master of Applied Finance includes an estate planning subject from which the modules in this new, free course have been adapted," he said.

Enrolment in the new course is open to everyone.

To register for the Estate Planning MOOC, view the course schedule or get answers to frequently asked questions, visit csu.edu.au/estate-planning.