Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

This diploma gives you the practical skills to work with young children in Australian early childhood settings. You will study child development, how to plan and run educational programmes for children from birth to five, health and safety, and how to work with families and communities. The course also covers legal and ethical requirements, including the National Quality Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework, so you understand what is expected in Australian services. You will learn to observe children, document their learning, and use that information to plan experiences that help them grow.

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a one-year qualification at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points, and is delivered over semesters or trimesters depending on the provider. A key part of the course is work-integrated learning: you will complete a professional placement in a registered early childhood service, where you work with children under supervision and put your training into practice. Assessment is a mix of written tasks, projects, and practical observation in the workplace. There is no research thesis at this level; the focus is on job-ready skills.

You will gain skills in planning and implementing curriculum, supporting children's wellbeing, communicating with families, and working within a team. You will also learn about inclusion, diversity, and how to respond to children with additional needs. The course suits people who want to start a career in early childhood education or who are already working in the sector and want to gain a formal qualification. It is also a pathway to further study, such as a bachelor degree in early childhood education, which can lead to teacher registration.

Australia's early childhood sector is regulated, and this diploma meets the qualification requirements for working as an early childhood educator in many services. The course is delivered in Canberra, and you will train in a city with a range of early childhood services. 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. Always check the official CRICOS register and the provider's page for the most current details on fees, intake dates, and English requirements.

• 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 running your own home-based service
• Outside school hours care assistant or coordinator
• Education support worker in early intervention services
• Nanny or in-home carer for families with young children

These roles are found across Australia in private and community-run childcare centres, government-funded preschools, and not-for-profit organisations. The diploma also gives you credit towards further study, such as a bachelor degree in early childhood education, which can lead to teacher registration and higher-level positions.