Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education

This graduate diploma is for people who already hold a bachelor's degree and want to work as an early childhood teacher in Australia. It is a one-year course at graduate diploma level on the AQF, which sits between a bachelor degree and a master's. You will study how young children learn, how to plan and teach across the early years, how to assess what children know and can do, and how to work with families and communities. The subject area is curriculum and instruction, so much of the work is practical: designing learning experiences, managing a classroom, and understanding the Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian Curriculum in the early years.

How the course is structured

Most Australian graduate diplomas are made up of units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You complete the required credit points to graduate, usually over two semesters or three trimesters in a one-year full-time load. Part-time study is often available. Because this is a teaching qualification, expect a professional placement component, supervised time in an early childhood setting where you work alongside an experienced teacher and build up your own practice. Assessment is a mix of assignments, practical tasks and placement reports. Some courses also include a capstone unit where you bring together what you have learned. Check the official page for the exact units and credit points.

Skills you gain

You will learn to observe and document children's learning, plan and teach in line with approved frameworks, support children with diverse needs, and communicate with families and colleagues. You will also build the professional judgement that comes from spending time in real settings. Graduates are expected to meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at the graduate level, which is what registration bodies look at.

Who it suits

This course suits degree holders who want a career change into early childhood education, or people already working in children's services who want to become a qualified early childhood teacher. It also suits international students who want an Australian teaching qualification. If you are an international applicant, you will need to meet English requirements. For teaching courses, the published standard is usually IELTS Academic 7.0–7.5 overall, higher than the 6.0–6.5 common for many other coursework programs, because registration bodies set a higher bar. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced are accepted as equivalents, and the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm the current units, placement arrangements and English requirements on the official page before you apply.

• Early childhood teacher in long day care, preschool or kindergarten services
• Kindergarten or prep teacher in a school setting, depending on state requirements
• Educational leader or room leader in an early learning centre
• Family day care coordinator or consultant
• Early intervention assistant or inclusion support worker
• Children's services manager or director (with experience)
• Curriculum or resource developer for early years providers

Graduates typically work in the education and care sector across Australia. Registration or accreditation requirements vary by state and territory, so check with the relevant teacher regulatory authority. International graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, and while studying, student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight.