Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a one-year qualification for people who want to work with children from birth to five years in Australian early learning services. It sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, which places it above a Certificate III and below a bachelor degree. At Australian Harbour International College, the course is delivered over one year of full-time study, with the CRICOS course code 110271F listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.

The diploma is built around units of competency rather than traditional academic subjects. You study child development, health and safety, nutrition, legal and ethical requirements, and how to design and implement a curriculum that follows the Early Years Learning Framework. There is a strong practical focus on observation, documentation, and planning experiences that support children's learning and wellbeing. Assessment is competency-based, meaning you need to demonstrate that you can actually perform the tasks, not just pass a written exam. A supervised work placement in a registered early childhood service is a core part of the course, and it is where most students first apply their skills with real children and families.

The skills you gain are hands-on. You learn to set up indoor and outdoor environments, guide children's behaviour positively, work with families from different backgrounds, and follow workplace health and safety and child protection procedures. You also learn to work within the National Quality Framework and the regulations that govern early childhood services in Australia. Communication, teamwork, and record-keeping are woven through the units because they are part of daily practice in any centre.

This diploma suits people who want to work directly with young children and may be aiming for a room leader or educator role. It is also a pathway for those who already hold a Certificate III and want to take on more responsibility. If you are an international student, you can study on a Student visa, which allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be an option, depending on your circumstances. English requirements for entry are set by the college, and the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the visa itself. Always check the official CRICOS entry and the college's page for current details.

• Early childhood educator in long day care centres, preschools, and kindergartens across Australia.
• Room leader responsible for planning and supervising a specific age group.
• Family day care educator running a small home-based service.
• Outside school hours care assistant in before and after school programmes.
• Nanny or in-home carer employed directly by families.
• Education support worker in early intervention or inclusive settings.

These roles are found in the education and care sector, which includes private and community-run services, local government, and not-for-profit organisations. Some graduates go on to study a bachelor degree in early childhood education to become a registered teacher.