Course Overview

About This Course

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) prepares you for a rewarding career teaching and leading learning in early childhood settings, supporting children from birth to five years during a period that matters most for their growth, development and learning. You can apply as a Year 12 school leaver or as an early childhood education and care diploma holder, and eligible diploma holders can apply for credit for first-year units that recognises their existing qualifications and professional experience. Streamlined summer and winter course maps are also offered, enabling diploma-qualified applicants to complete the degree in two years. Across 320 credit points you develop a strong foundation in early childhood curriculum, pedagogy and professional practice, studying Education Studies, Effective Teaching, Early Childhood, Content and Pedagogy, and Core Curriculum units. ACU recognises that an early childhood teacher is likely to teach a diverse range of students across a career, so graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond to that diversity. Hands-on experience is a core part of the course: you complete 80 days of supervised professional placement in relevant early childhood and prior-to-school settings, carefully matched to your stage of study, gaining experience across a range of settings. Undergraduate education students can also undertake professional experience and community engagement in locations such as Kiribati and the Solomon Islands. The course is accredited by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), meeting the requirements for an approved early childhood teacher qualification. It does not lead to primary teacher registration.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

AUD $4,904

Duration

4 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning August 2027 (Applications open April 2027)

Study Mode

Full-time or part-time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, which includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement, and must meet any additional prerequisite requirements imposed by state jurisdictions.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed at Year 12 level, or equivalent:
- Australian Capital Territory: Prerequisites: Nil. Assumed knowledge: Major in English (T); Major in Mathematics (T)
- New South Wales: Prerequisites: Nil. Assumed knowledge: Two units of English (any); Two units of Mathematics (any)
- Queensland: Prerequisites: English (Units 3 & 4, C). Assumed knowledge: General Mathematics
- Victoria: Prerequisites: English: Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English. Recommended studies: Mathematics: two units of Mathematics (any)
Indicative ATAR: 60.00 (Brisbane), 60.00 (Melbourne), 60.00 (Online), 60.00 (Strathfield).
Applicants who have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above are assigned a new selection rank reflecting study level, duration and grade point average, and may be eligible for credit or recognition of prior learning, which can shorten the course.
ACU also assesses applicants on prior VET study, and on work and life experience.

International students

International applicants need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate and must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including the English Language Proficiency requirements. International students completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia), an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 must apply for admission through their local Tertiary Admission Centre and are assessed on their performance in those studies (ATAR or equivalent).
English language requirements: IELTS Academic overall 6.5 with an individual score of 6.0 in all bands; PTE Academic 58 with a minimum of 50 in all four communicative skills; TOEFL internet-based total of 79, with a minimum of 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 13 in reading and 12 in listening; C1 Advanced overall score 185 with a minimum of 176 in all tests; ACU English Language test or ACU EAP grade B (65-74%).

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

• Early childhood education
• Kindergarten teaching
• Policy development

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) / AITSL

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

AITSL / ACECQA

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units41 units

EDES100

Understanding Learning and Teaching

EDES103

Understanding Learners and Their Contexts

EDES106

Contemporary Learning Cultures and Contexts

EDES205

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, Histories and Cultures

EDES206

Social Justice and Community Engagement for Educators

EDET112

Effective Teaching 1: Early Years Curriculum and Pedagogies

EDET212

Effective Teaching 2: Curriculum Planning and Pedagogy in Early Childhood

EDET312

Effective Teaching 3: Understanding and Guiding Behaviour to Engage Young Learners

EDET300

Effective Teaching 4: Students with Disability and Inclusive Education

EDET460

Effective Teaching 5: Understanding and Implementing Assessment and Data Informed Practice

EDET461

Effective Teaching 6: Professional Engagement and Reflection

EDEC100

Health, Family and Young Learner Wellbeing in the Early Years

EDEC101

Infant and Toddler Studies

EDEC112

Young Children's Social and Emotional Learning in Early Childhood Contexts

EDEC150

Play-based Learning

EDEC200

Environments for Learning in the Early Years

EDEC201

Diverse Learning and Inclusive Education in Early Years

EDEC300

Partnerships and Learning Transitions with Families and Communities

EDEC301

Child Protection in Early Childhood Education

EDEC400

Professional Identities in Early Childhood

EDEC401

Leadership, Management, Administration and Advocacy in Early Childhood Contexts

EDAR164

Nurturing Creativity in Young Children

EDEN100

Foundations of Literacy

EDEN103

Children's Literature for Teachers

EDMA151

Exploring Mathematics and Numeracy in the Early Years

EDSI168

Science, Inquiry and Sustainability

EDEN290

English Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1 (B-8)

EDMA293

Teaching Mathematics for Early Years

EDTE261

Technologies in Early Childhood Education

EDAR460

Arts as Meaning in Early Childhood

PHCC102

Being Human

PHCC104

Ethics and the Good Life

PHCC106

Making Sense: Practical Reasoning for Life and Career

THCC100

Revolutionary Values: Christianity in History

THCC101

People Matter: Catholic Social Thought

TPCC100

Life and Meaning: Imagining Ourselves through Art and Cinema

PHCC201

The Origins of the Sciences and Contemporary Challenges

THCC200

Justice in the World: Catholic Social Ethics in Global Perspective

THCC202

Sacred Land: Australian Indigenous Spiritualities and Catholic Thought

TPCC201

Ecology and Justice

TPCC202

Conflict, Violence and Peace-making

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) take to complete?

The course has a duration of 208 weeks, as listed in the CRICOS registry for this qualification at Australian Catholic University.

Does this course include a practical work placement component?

Yes. Throughout the course you complete 80 days of supervised professional placement in relevant early childhood and prior to school settings, carefully matched to your stage of study, giving you hands-on experience across a range of early childhood settings before you graduate.

At which campuses can I study this course?

ACU offers the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) at its Brisbane, Melbourne and Strathfield campuses and in an online mode. International students are offered the course at Melbourne and Strathfield, and ACU notes there are no international intakes in Brisbane in 2027.

What is the estimated total cost of the course for international students?

ACU's estimated total tuition for international students is AU$146,496, based on an indicative international first-year fee of $36,624 for this course.

Is this course eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

This course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights as it is a Skills Level 1 qualification (Bachelor Degree), has a duration greater than 92 weeks, and falls within the Teacher Education: Early Childhood field of education. Eligibility is reviewed yearly and requires at least one active enrolment at the time of review.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $55,000 to $70,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $70,000 to $82,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $82,000 to $92,000 per year

Career Paths

Early Childhood Educator (Certificate III level)Early Childhood Teacher (ECT)Room Leader / Lead EducatorEducational LeaderChildcare Centre Director / Centre Manager

Key Skills

Child development assessment and observationPlay-based curriculum design and implementationApplication of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)Inclusive education practices for children with diverse needsBehaviour guidance and positive relationships with children

Full Course Overview

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