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 directly with children from birth to five years in Australian early learning centres, kindergartens and preschools. You will 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 mixes classroom learning with practical placements in early childhood services, so you graduate having already spent time in the setting you are training for.

As a diploma, this course sits at the middle of the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is made up of units of study, each with a set credit point value, delivered over semesters or trimesters depending on the provider. You will cover child development, curriculum planning, legal and ethical requirements, health and safety, and working in partnership with families. Assessment is a mix of written tasks, projects and observed practical work. Because this is a vocational qualification, work-integrated learning is central: you will complete a set number of hours in a registered early childhood service, supervised by qualified educators, and your final placement often acts as a capstone where you bring together everything you have learned.

You will gain skills in observing and documenting children's learning, designing experiences that match their interests and development, guiding behaviour positively, and communicating clearly with parents and colleagues. You will also learn to follow the National Quality Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework, which set the standards for early childhood education in Australia. Graduates are qualified to work as early childhood educators, and the diploma is the recognised qualification for those who want to take on room leader or lead educator roles.

This course suits people who enjoy working with young children and want a practical, job-ready qualification without committing to a full degree. It is also a good step for anyone already working in the sector who needs a formal diploma to move into a leadership position. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study, and 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 are set by the provider and by the Department of Home Affairs for the visa; check the official CRICOS page for current details on tuition, entry requirements and intake dates.

• Early childhood educator in long day care centres, preschools and kindergartens
• Room leader or lead educator in an early learning service
• Family day care educator
• Outside school hours care assistant or coordinator
• Education support worker in early years settings
• Nanny or in-home child carer

These roles are found across Australia in private and community-run childcare centres, government preschools, and not-for-profit early learning organisations.