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 learn, how to plan and run a play-based curriculum, how to keep children safe, and how to work with families and communities. The course mixes classroom study with time in a real early childhood service, so you practise what you learn with children and educators rather than only reading about it.

Australian diplomas are usually delivered over two semesters or trimesters, and you enrol in units of study that each carry credit points. The exact unit list and credit points are set by Lead College, so check the official course page for the current structure. Because this is a diploma, it sits below a bachelor degree on the Australian Qualifications Framework. A bachelor degree is normally three years, an honours year adds one, and a master's is one to two years. The diploma is a shorter, practical pathway into the sector, and some graduates use it as a stepping stone into a bachelor degree with credit for their diploma studies.

Work-integrated learning is central. You complete a professional placement in a regulated early childhood service, where you work alongside qualified educators, take part in routines, and build a portfolio of your practice. Assessment is competency-based: you show you can do the tasks, not just recall facts. Placements are arranged by the college and can be in long day care, preschool or kindergarten settings, depending on what is available. You will need to meet any pre-placement requirements the college sets, such as a Working with Children Check and first aid training, before you start.

This diploma suits people who enjoy working with young children and want a hands-on qualification without committing to a three-year degree. It also suits people already working in the sector who need a formal qualification to move into a room leader or educator role. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after you finish, depending on your circumstances. English proficiency is required for entry; check the official page for the exact score and accepted tests. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm fees, intake dates and placement arrangements directly with Lead College.

• 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
• Outside school hours care assistant
• Inclusion support worker in early childhood settings
• Early childhood services in community organisations and local councils