Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) (Teacher Education: Early Childhood)

The Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) at Southern Cross University is a one-year qualification for people who already hold a bachelor degree and want to work as early childhood teachers in Australia. It sits at graduate diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is shorter and more focused than a master's degree but builds directly on prior tertiary study. You study how young children learn, how to plan and assess learning against the Early Years Learning Framework, how to build literacy and numeracy in the early years, and how to work with families and communities. You also study the professional and legal responsibilities that come with being a registered teacher.

The course is delivered over one year of full-time study, typically across two semesters or trimesters depending on how Southern Cross timetables its intakes. Each unit of study carries credit points, and you need to complete the required number of credit points to graduate. Because this is an initial teacher education qualification, professional experience placements in early childhood settings are a core part of the course. You will spend time in services such as long day care centres, preschools and kindergartens, working alongside qualified educators and being assessed on your teaching practice. Placement is what turns theory into the practical judgement you need in a real room with real children.

Teaching in Australia is a regulated profession. To work as an early childhood teacher you need to be registered with the teacher regulatory authority in the state or territory where you want to work, and those authorities expect an approved initial teacher education qualification that includes supervised professional experience. This graduate diploma is structured to meet that expectation. If you are an international student, note that teaching courses generally require a higher level of English than other coursework programs. Southern Cross publishes its English requirements, and for teaching the standard is usually higher than the general postgraduate entry level. Confirm the exact IELTS or equivalent score you need, and the placement requirements, on the official course page before you apply.

This course suits people changing careers into early childhood education, and people who already work in early learning and want to become a qualified teacher. It also suits international students who have a bachelor degree and want an Australian teaching qualification. While you study on a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during teaching periods. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may give you time to work in Australia, depending on your circumstances and the visa rules at the time. Always check the current details with the university and the Department of Home Affairs.

• Early childhood teacher in long day care centres, preschools and kindergartens
• Kindergarten teacher in community and government-funded early learning services
• Early years educator in integrated child and family services
• Educational leader or room leader in early childhood services, once you have experience
• Family day care coordinator or early learning support role
• Early intervention assistant in services supporting children with developmental needs

Early childhood teachers work across the education and care sector in every Australian state and territory. Employers include long day care providers, community preschools, government-funded kindergarten programmes, and not-for-profit and private early learning organisations. Registration with the relevant state or territory teacher authority is required to work as a teacher.