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 will study how children grow and learn, how to plan and run a play-based curriculum, how to keep children safe, and how to work with families and communities. The course is practical. You will spend time in real early childhood centres, working alongside educators and building the skills you need to step into a room and lead activities with confidence.

How the course is structured

The diploma is delivered over one year of full-time study. Like most Australian vocational qualifications, it is made up of units of competency. Each unit covers a specific area of work, such as supporting children's development, promoting their health and safety, and working within legal and ethical requirements. You will complete a mix of classroom-based learning and supervised work placement in a registered early childhood service. Placement is a core part of the diploma. It is where you practise what you have learned, get feedback from experienced educators, and build a record of your hours. States College Australia will tell you how many placement hours you need and how they are arranged.

What you will learn

You will learn how to observe children and use those observations to plan experiences that match their interests and stages. You will study child development, including how to support children with additional needs. You will learn about nutrition, hygiene, and safe sleep practices. You will also cover the National Quality Framework, the Early Years Learning Framework, and the legal responsibilities that come with working in children's services. Communication is a big part of the job, so you will practise talking with families, writing observations and reports, and working in a team. 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 room leader or centre director.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who enjoy being around young children and want a hands-on job rather than a desk job. It is a good fit if you are starting out in the sector, changing careers, or already working in early childhood and want to gain a formal qualification. It also suits international students who want to study in Australia and gain a qualification that is recognised across the country. If you are planning to study in Australia on a student visa, 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 for a period. Check the Department of Home Affairs website for the current rules, because they change. English requirements for international applicants are set by the college and by the Department of Home Affairs for the visa. You will need to show evidence of English proficiency, such as IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall or an accepted equivalent. Always confirm the exact entry requirements, tuition fees, and start dates on the official page or the CRICOS register.

• Early childhood educator in long day care centres, preschools, and kindergartens
• Room leader or lead educator responsible for a group of children and a team of assistants
• Family day care educator running your own home-based service
• Outside school hours care educator working with primary school-aged children before and after school
• Nanny or in-home carer employed by families
• Education support worker in early intervention services or inclusive programs

These roles are found across Australia in private and community-run childcare centres, government-funded preschools, and not-for-profit organisations. The diploma is the standard qualification for working as an educator in most Australian early childhood services.