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, and how to keep children safe, healthy and included. It sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is practical, job-focused and assessed on what you can actually do in a room full of children.

What you study

The course is built around units of study, each with a credit point value, delivered over trimesters or semesters depending on the timetable. Core areas include child development, curriculum planning and documentation, health and safety, nutrition, first aid, working with families and communities, and legal and ethical requirements. You also cover inclusion and supporting children with additional needs, and the National Quality Framework that governs Australian early childhood services.

Work placement

This qualification includes a supervised professional placement in a registered early childhood service. That is where you put the theory into practice: observing children, writing learning stories, setting up experiences, and working alongside educators. Placement hours are a mandatory part of the course and are arranged by the provider. You will need a Working with Children Check before you start, and you may need to meet other state-based requirements.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a direct path into the sector, career changers who want a qualification that leads to work quickly, and people already working in childcare who need formal recognition to move into a room leader or lead educator role. It is also a stepping stone if you plan to continue into a bachelor degree later, with credit for your diploma studies at some institutions.

English requirements for international applicants are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm current fees, intake dates and English requirements on the official course page before applying.

• Early childhood educator in long day care, preschools and kindergartens
• Room leader or lead educator overseeing a room and mentoring staff
• Family day care educator running your own approved home-based service
• Outside school hours care educator in before and after school programmes
• Inclusion support worker assisting children with additional needs
• Nanny or in-home carer employed privately by families

Australian employers in these roles include long day care centres, community preschools, private early learning chains, local government children's services, and not-for-profit family support organisations. The qualification is recognised across Australia and can lead to further study in early childhood teaching or education.