Early Childhood Training & Qualifications
Early childhood educators are skilled professionals. That means you need a qualification to do the job.
Lots of support is available to help you find your role in early learning and care. You can choose to get qualified first or find a job in the sector that enables you to study while you’re working.
Some early learning and care providers also offer traineeships, so you can earn while you learn.
There are options for studying full-time, part-time and online. Course start dates vary. While many courses start early in the calendar year, others are available for mid-year entry. Traineeships begin throughout the year.
The fastest way to become qualified to work as an early childhood educator is through vocational study. This means gaining a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, which can lead on to a Diploma. These two qualifications can be delivered through a registered training organisation (RTO), which may be privately operated or government-owned.
Many early learning and care providers offer traineeships, so you can work as an educator while you gain your qualification through an RTO. Four members of the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia operate their own RTOs: bestchance, C&K College of Early Childhood, Communities@Work and Goodstart Early Learning.
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Typically takes less than one year to complete
- Can be undertaken as part of a traineeship, meaning that you work while studying part-time.
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
A Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care takes up to two years to complete. New students will need a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care in order to gain entry to the Diploma course.
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care
Some RTOs offer a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care, enabling you to become a fully qualified early childhood teacher. A Bachelor degree takes four years to complete (full-time).
Whether you’ve never studied at university before, or already have a degree, there are plenty of options for gaining your early childhood teaching qualification. Once you become an early childhood teacher, you can deliver preschool/kindergarten programs in preschools, kindergartens and long day care centres.
Bachelor degree
Many universities (and some RTOs) offer a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. This is a four-year degree (full-time).
Graduate Diploma
If you already have a Bachelor degree (in any field), you may be able to undertake a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education. This will take one year and qualifies you as an early childhood teacher.
Student fees cut
From 2021, the Australian Government has cut the student fees for education degrees by up to 75%. There's never been a better time to become an early childhood teacher!
Study types
University courses can be undertaken full-time, part-time and online. Course start dates vary. While many courses start early in the calendar year, you can start others mid-year.
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