Course Overview

About This Course

Get a head start on your career in early childhood education and care with this entry-level course, the minimum qualification required to work in early childhood settings across Australia. You'll learn to plan, implement and evaluate education and care programs, support children's healthy eating and daily routines, foster individual development, and work within the legal and regulatory requirements that govern the sector. The early childhood education and care industry is experiencing very strong growth, with around 184,000 job openings expected nationally over the next five years, making this a qualification in high and growing demand. Training is delivered on campus with some online study, and the course can also be completed through an Existing Worker or Traineeship pathway while working in a regulated early childhood service. A Working with Children Check (Blue Card) is required, along with a period of supervised vocational placement in an approved setting. Graduates go on to work as early childhood educators, family day care providers, and care and education assistants in long daycare, family daycare and outside-school-hours-care services across Queensland.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Brisbane

66 Ernest St, South Brisbane, QLD 4101

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Fee-Free TAFE $0 · SEE funded $0 · Concession $425 · Subsidised $970 · Full Fee $5,410

Duration

9 months to 18 months, depending on campus and study mode

Intakes

06 Oct 2026, 07 Oct 2026, 27 Jan 2027 (varies by campus)

Study Mode

Full time or Part time, on campus with some online

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic Students:

Skills Check required after application submission; recommended benchmark levels are 3 in English, 3 in Maths and 3 in Digital Technology
Existing Worker pathway: must be currently employed throughout your studies in a regulated Early Childhood Education and Care service (long daycare, outside school hours care, or family daycare) within a set distance of a coordinating campus; workplace visits are required
Traineeship pathway: you must be indentured as a trainee with your employer, who must be able to provide the necessary human and physical resources

International Students:

English Language Proficiency: Academic IELTS 6.0 (no individual band less than 5.5) or equivalent
Academic Requirements: Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent); non-school-leavers must have relevant work experience or a qualification indicating likely success
Applicants should be a minimum of 17 years of age and turning 18 during the first year of study
International students under 18 applying for a student visa are required by the Australian Department of Home Affairs to have adequate welfare arrangements in place

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Family Day Care Provider
Early Childhood Education and Care Assistant
Early Childhood Education and Care Worker

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

ASQA

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 Units17 units

CHCECE030

Support inclusion and diversity

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to reflect on and understand the impact of own values and biases, demonstrate respect for inclusion and diversity, and support children's understanding of inclusive principles and behaviours.

CHCECE031

Support children's health, safety and wellbeing

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge to support and promote children's health, safety and wellbeing in relation to physical activity, healthy eating, sleep, rest and relaxation and individual medical requirements.

CHCECE032

Nurture babies and toddlers

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop relationships with babies and toddlers and their families and attend to the specific physical and emotional needs of babies and toddlers from birth to 23 months. It requires the ability to follow individualised care routines for sleep, feeding and toileting.

CHCECE033

Develop positive and respectful relationships with children

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to communicate and interact respectfully with children and to guide their behaviours in ways that support their agency, positive sense of self and self-regulation.

CHCECE034

Use an approved learning framework to guide practice

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to source and use an approved childhood learning framework.

CHCECE035

Support the holistic learning and development of children

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge to recognise and support the interrelationship between the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and communication development of children.

CHCECE036

Provide experiences to support children's play and learning

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to set up, support and review experiences for children's play and learning.

CHCECE037

Support children to connect with the natural environment

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to support and encourage children's connection with the natural environment.

CHCECE038

Observe children to inform practice

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify and gather information about children from observation and other sources as part of a collaborative process and as a basis for curriculum planning.

CHCECE054

Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultures

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify different perspectives on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultures, develop an understanding of the local and broader cultural contexts, and use the identified information to embed culturally appropriate experiences, interactions, behaviours and physical environments into daily practice with children.

CHCECE055

Meet legal and ethical obligations in children's education and care

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify and meet legal and ethical obligations. This includes the ability to recognise potential and actual examples of non-compliance with regulatory requirements and contribute to the continuous improvement of practice.

CHCECE056

Work effectively in children's education and care

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work in a children's education and care context using effective communication and knowledge of job roles, responsibilities and service procedures to complete daily work activities.

CHCPRT001

Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

HLTAID012

Provide First Aid in an education and care setting

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to infants, children and adults in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies. This unit applies to a range of workers within an education and care setting who are required to respond to a first aid emergency, including asthma and anaphylactic emergencies. This includes early childhood workers and educators who work with school age children in outside school hours care and vacation programs. This unit of competency may contribute towards approved first aid, asthma and anaphylaxis training under the Education and Care Services National Law, and the Education and Care Services National Regulations (2011). Specific licensing/regulatory requirements relating to this competency, including requirements for refresher training should be obtained from the relevant national/state/territory Work Health and Safety Regulatory Authorities

HLTWHS001

Participate in workplace health and safety

CHCDIV001

Work with diverse people

HLTFSE001

Follow basic food safety practices

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to comply with personal hygiene, maintain food safety, contribute to cleanliness of food handling areas and dispose of food.

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!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $55,000 to $65,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $65,000 to $75,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $75,000 to $90,000 per year

Career Paths

Assistant Educator (Long Day Care)Early Childhood EducatorChildcare WorkerTrainee EducatorFamily Day Care Educator

Key Skills

Supporting children's physical, cognitive, social and emotional developmentPlanning and implementing play-based educational activities aligned to the EYLFProviding appropriate care for babies, toddlers and preschoolersApplying workplace health and safety practices in childcare environmentsIdentifying and responding to indicators of child abuse or neglect

Full Course Overview

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