Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (Teacher Education: Early Childhood)

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at Rosehill College is a two-year qualification that prepares you to work with children from birth to five years in Australian early learning services. You'll study how children grow and learn, how to plan and run a play-based curriculum, and how to keep children safe, healthy and included. Units cover child development, observation and assessment, working with families and communities, legal and ethical requirements, and the National Quality Framework that governs Australian early childhood services. You'll also learn how to support children with additional needs and how to work within a team of educators.

How the course is structured

Like most Australian diplomas, this course is made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points. You'll typically study full time over two years, with semesters or trimesters depending on the college's timetable. The course mixes classroom learning with practical placement in a registered early childhood service, where you'll work directly with children under supervision. There's no separate honours year for a diploma; it's a standalone qualification at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. If you later want to go further, you can use the diploma as a pathway into a bachelor degree, often with credit for some units already completed.

What you'll actually do

You'll spend time in lectures and tutorials, but a big part of the course is hands-on. You'll complete a professional placement in an early childhood centre, which gives you real experience planning activities, observing children, and working with families. Assessment is a mix of written tasks, projects, and practical demonstrations. By the end, you'll have a portfolio of work that shows what you can do. The skills you gain include child-centred curriculum planning, behaviour guidance, health and safety routines, and communication with parents and colleagues. You'll also learn how to meet the National Quality Standard and the Early Years Learning Framework.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who want to work directly with young children and their families. You might be starting out, changing careers, or already working in the sector and wanting a formal qualification. It's also a good fit if you're an international student looking for a practical Australian qualification that can lead to work in childcare centres, preschools, and family day care. The course requires English proficiency; international applicants usually need IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, though some pathways may ask for higher. Remember that the Student visa has its own English requirement set by the Department of Home Affairs. While you study, you can 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. Always check the official CRICOS page for current details on tuition, intake dates, and entry requirements.

• Early childhood educator – work in long day care centres, preschools, and kindergartens across Australia.
• Family day care educator – run your own home-based service or work with a coordination unit.
• Outside school hours care assistant – support children before and after school in primary schools and community centres.
• Nanny or in-home carer – provide care in private homes, often with flexible hours.
• Education support worker – assist in early learning programmes within community organisations.

These roles are in demand across Australia, in metropolitan and regional areas. The diploma also gives you a pathway to further study, such as a bachelor degree in early childhood education, which can lead to teaching registration and higher-level positions.