Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a hands-on qualification for people who want to work with children from birth to five years in Australian early learning services. It sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework and is delivered over about 1.5 years of full-time study. You learn how to plan and run educational programmes for young children, support their development, and meet the National Quality Framework requirements that every Australian early childhood service works within. Units cover child development, curriculum planning, health and safety, nutrition, behaviour guidance, working with families, and inclusion of children with additional needs.

Australian diplomas are built from units of study, each carrying credit points. Providers usually run them across semesters or trimesters, with a mix of classroom teaching and supervised time in a real early childhood centre. Because this field is practical, work-integrated learning is central: you complete a professional placement where you work alongside qualified educators, take part in routines, and eventually lead activities yourself. Assessment is competency-based, meaning you need to show you can actually do the tasks, not just pass a written test. Some providers offer a capstone-style final placement or project that pulls your learning together.

You finish with skills in observing and documenting children's learning, designing play-based experiences, keeping children safe, communicating with families, and following regulations and workplace policies. You also build the teamwork and record-keeping habits that centres rely on. The diploma is the recognised qualification for room leader and educator roles, and it can lead into further study such as a bachelor degree in early childhood education, with credit for your diploma units.

This course suits people who enjoy working with young children and want a practical, job-ready qualification without committing to a full degree. It is also a good fit if you are changing careers, returning to study, or already working in the sector and need formal recognition. International students should check the CRICOS register for current tuition and confirm entry requirements, including English proficiency, with the college. On a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and after graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, subject to the Department of Home Affairs rules.

• Early childhood educator in long day care, preschool or kindergarten services
• Room leader or lead educator
• Family day care educator
• Outside school hours care assistant or coordinator
• Nanny or in-home child carer
• Education support worker in early years settings

These roles are found across Australian early learning centres, community organisations, private providers and government-funded preschool programmes. The diploma also gives you a pathway into a bachelor degree in early childhood education if you want to become a registered teacher.