Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a one-year qualification for people who want to work with children from birth to five years in Australian early learning services. You'll learn how to plan and run educational programmes for young children, support their development, and meet their health, safety and wellbeing needs. The course covers child development, curriculum and pedagogy, play-based learning, observation and assessment, working with families, and legal and ethical requirements for early childhood educators.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points. This programme runs over one year, typically across two semesters. You'll complete a mix of core and elective units. Because early childhood education is a practical field, your studies will include supervised work placements in licensed early childhood services, where you'll work directly with children under the guidance of experienced educators. This work-integrated learning is a required part of the qualification and gives you real experience for your resume.

What you'll learn

You'll graduate able to design and implement learning experiences that match children's interests and stages of development. You'll learn to observe children, document their learning, and use that information to plan next steps. The course also covers how to create safe and inclusive environments, work within the National Quality Framework, and communicate effectively with families and colleagues. You'll practise responding to children's needs, managing routines, and supporting children with additional needs.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who enjoy working with young children and want a hands-on career in early childhood education. It's also a good fit if you're already working in the sector and want to formalise your skills or move into a room leader or educational leader role. If you're an international student, you can study on a Student visa and work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. English requirements for international applicants are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, though some institutions ask for higher scores. Always check the official page and the CRICOS register for the most current details on tuition, entry requirements and start dates.

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

These roles are in demand across Australia's early childhood education and care sector, which includes private, community and government-run services. With further study, you can move into teaching, centre management or early childhood policy.