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 learn how children grow and develop, how to plan and run a play-based curriculum, how to keep children safe, and how to work with families from many different backgrounds. The course covers child development, health and safety, nutrition, observation and assessment, and the legal and ethical rules that govern early childhood services in Australia.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each carrying credit points. You complete the units set out in the course structure, and you need to pass all of them to graduate. The diploma is normally delivered over two semesters or three trimesters across one year, though some providers offer different patterns. Assessment is usually a mix of written tasks, projects, practical demonstrations and observation in a real service.

Work placement and practical skills

Work-integrated learning is a required part of this qualification. You complete a professional placement in a registered early childhood service, where you work alongside educators and put your learning into practice. This is where you learn to set up learning experiences, guide children's behaviour, document their progress, and talk with families. Placement hours are set by the training package and must be completed before you can graduate. Your provider arranges or approves the placement, and you will need to meet any state or territory checks, such as a Working with Children Check, before you start.

Who it suits and what you need

This diploma suits school leavers, career changers and people already working in early childhood who want a formal qualification. It also suits international students who want to study in Australia and gain a recognised credential. English proficiency is required for international applicants. The common standard for a course at this level is IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While you study, your visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight. 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 for a period. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register. Always check the official course page and the CRICOS entry for the current structure, placement requirements and entry rules.

• 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 running your own approved home-based service
• Nanny or in-home carer for families with young children
• Education support worker in a school or early intervention setting
• Playgroup coordinator or community early years worker

These roles are found across Australia in private and community-run childcare centres, preschools, kindergartens, occasional care services and outside school hours care. The diploma also gives you credit towards further study, such as a bachelor degree in early childhood education, if you want to become a teacher.