Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a two-year qualification delivered by Astral Skills Institute of Australia with Create Learn & Educate. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is a vocational qualification that mixes classroom learning with supervised time in a real early childhood service. You will study how young children grow and learn, how to plan and run a curriculum that suits their developmental stage, how to keep them safe, and how to work with families and communities. The course also covers legal and ethical responsibilities, first aid, and the business side of running or working in a childcare centre.

How the course is structured

As a diploma, this course is made up of units of competency. Each unit has a set number of credit points and covers a specific skill or knowledge area, such as supporting children's play and learning, promoting physical development, or responding to children at risk. You will complete a mix of theory units and practical placement units. The exact unit list and credit point values are set by the training package and the provider, so check the official course page for the current structure. Assessment is competency-based: you need to show you can do the task, not just pass a written test. That means you will be assessed on your performance in a real or simulated workplace as well as on written work and projects.

Work placement and practical experience

Work-integrated learning is a core part of this diploma. You will spend a significant number of hours on placement in a regulated early childhood education and care service, working alongside qualified educators. This placement is where you put theory into practice: setting up activities, observing children, recording their progress, and interacting with families. The placement hours are a requirement for the qualification and for any subsequent registration or employment checks. Your provider will arrange or approve the placement, and you will need to meet any health and safety requirements, such as a Working with Children Check, before you start.

Who this course suits

This diploma suits people who want to work directly with young children in long day care, preschool, or occasional care settings. It is a good fit if you are patient, observant, and enjoy planning activities that help children learn through play. You do not need previous childcare experience to start, but you will need to meet the English language requirements. International applicants typically need IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, though some providers may ask for higher scores. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, so check both. While you study, your visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. Confirm all details, including tuition and start dates, on the official CRICOS register and the provider's page.

• Early childhood educator: Work in long day care centres, preschools, and kindergartens across Australia, planning and delivering educational programmes for children from birth to five years.
• Room leader or lead educator: Take responsibility for a specific age group, supervise other educators, and liaise with families about children's progress.
• Family day care educator: Run your own home-based childcare service, caring for small groups of children in a family setting.
• Outside school hours care assistant: Work in before-school, after-school, and vacation care programmes for primary school-aged children.
• Early childhood centre manager: With experience, move into management, overseeing staff, budgets, and compliance with national quality standards.
• Education support worker: Assist in kindergartens and early learning centres, supporting children with additional needs and their families.

These roles are in demand across Australia, particularly in regional areas and in centres that offer government-funded preschool programmes. The diploma also gives you a pathway to further study, such as a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, which can lead to teacher registration and higher-level positions.