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. You study how children grow and learn, how to plan and run a play-based curriculum, how to keep children safe and healthy, and how to work with families and communities. The course covers child development, observation and assessment, curriculum planning, inclusion and diversity, legal and ethical requirements, and first aid. You also learn the National Quality Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework, which set the standards for early childhood services in Australia.

How the course is structured

As a diploma, this course sits at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is delivered over one year of full-time study, usually across two or three study periods depending on the provider's calendar. You complete a set of units of study, each with a credit point value, and you need to pass all required units to graduate. The course includes a practical placement component, which is a standard part of early childhood qualifications in Australia. You spend time in a registered early childhood service, working alongside qualified educators and being assessed on your skills with children. This placement is not optional; it is how you show you can apply what you have learned in a real setting.

What you learn

You learn to observe children and document their learning, design experiences that match their interests and development, and create safe and inclusive environments. You study how to support children with additional needs, how to communicate with families, and how to follow workplace health and safety, child protection and food handling rules. You also learn about the business side of early childhood, including how to work within regulations and contribute to quality improvement. By the end, you should be able to take responsibility for the care and education of a group of children under the guidance of a qualified teacher or service leader.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who want to start working in early childhood education and care, or who already work in the sector and want a recognised qualification. It is also a pathway to further study, such as a bachelor degree in early childhood education, where you may receive credit for some units. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. 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. English requirements for international applicants are usually IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, though you should check the official page for the exact score and accepted equivalents. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm current details, including placement arrangements and unit lists, on the official course page.

• Early childhood educator in long day care centres, preschools and kindergartens
• Family day care educator running your own home-based service
• Outside school hours care assistant in before and after school programmes
• Nanny or in-home carer for families
• Education support worker in early intervention services
• Playgroup coordinator in community organisations

These roles are found across Australia in private and community-run early learning services, local councils, and not-for-profit organisations. The diploma also gives you a pathway into leadership roles such as room leader or centre coordinator, and into further study towards a teaching degree.