Early Childhood Education Courses in Australia

Early childhood educators shape the lives of Australia's youngest learners. With strong demand driven by government childcare subsidies and workforce shortages, qualified educators are highly sought after. Courses range from Certificate III (for educator assistants) through to Diploma level, which qualifies you as a lead educator or room leader.

Avg. $56k/yr($45k — $70k)

Career Pathway

Certificate III

Assistant Educator

Diploma

Lead Educator

Bachelor of Education

Centre Director

Browse by State

NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT

15 Early Childhood Education Courses

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Foundation Education
OnlineEarly Childhood Education
Prepare to launch your career in an expanding industry by gaining the necessary skills and training to work in or run your own early childhood education facility.
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Foundation Education
OnlineEarly Childhood Education
Prepare to launch your career in a fast-growing industry by gaining the necessary skills and training to work in early childhood education.
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Foundation Education
OnlineEarly Childhood Education
Build on your experience as an early childhood educator and gain the skills you need for the next phase of your career.
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care)
Foundation Education
OnlineEarly Childhood Education
Begin a meaningful career as an early childhood educator with specialist skills in Family Day Care, and make the most of the opportunities in this growing field.
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Foundation Education
OnlineEarly Childhood Education
Gain the skills and experience you need to begin a fulfilling career as an Early Childhood Educator and take advantage of the growing demand in this field.
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Open Colleges
Online
The nationally recognised CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is designed to prepare you for a successful career in Childhood education. You will learn how to develop the knowledge and skills to work across a range of early childhood settings, lead a team to success and ignite children's imaginations. The course contains a minimum of 320 hours of work placement. Work placement hours can be done part time or as a block, depending on the host organisation's requirements and availability. To find out what the suitable workplaces are for this course, download the course guide. Yes. In order to enrol in the Diploma, you must hold a CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or the CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Open Colleges
Online
This nationally recognised CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will transform your love of teaching and working with children into a rewarding career. You will learn the skills, knowledge, and experience to support the health, safety and development of children and to plan activities to promote children’s learning through play. The course contains a minimum of 200 hours of work placement. Work placement hours can be done part time or as a block, depending on the host organisation's requirements and availability. To find out what the suitable workplaces are for this course, download the course guide. Yes, one of the career outcomes of this course is working as a Kindergarten assistant. Please note, that some Kindergartens may prefer you to hold a Diploma.
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care/Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth – 8) Flinders Uni Pathway
TAFE SA
In-PersonSACommunity Services
Further your career in early childhood education by gaining the skills and knowledge to become a team leader, director or educational leader in a range of education settings. Learn about cultural competence, health and safety, food and drink, respectful relationships, learning frameworks, holistic development, compliance, nurturing creativity, curriculum and workplace safety. Information session location: Online. A link will be provided to those that register.Session times: Friday 27 March 2026 at 4.00pmCourse location: as listed above Entry Recommendations Applicants using employment to meet admission requirements must download the Employment Report from the Additional Resources section below and email the completed form to [email protected]
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care/Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth – 5) Flinders Uni Pathway
TAFE SA
In-PersonSACommunity Services
Further your career in early childhood education by gaining the skills and knowledge to become a team leader, director or educational leader in a range of education settings. Learn about cultural competence, health and safety, food and drink, respectful relationships, learning frameworks, holistic development, compliance, nurturing creativity, curriculum and workplace safety. Information session location: Online. A link will be provided to those that register.Session times: Friday 27 March 2026 at 4.00pmCourse location: as listed above Entry Recommendations Applicants using employment to meet admission requirements must download the Employment Report from the Additional Resources section below and email the completed form to [email protected]
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care/ Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) - Adelaide Uni Pathway
TAFE SA
In-PersonSACommunity Services
Further your career in early childhood education by gaining the skills and knowledge to become a team leader, director or educational leader in a range of education settings. Learn about cultural competence, health and safety, food and drink, respectful relationships, learning frameworks, holistic development, compliance, nurturing creativity, curriculum and workplace safety. Information session location: Online. A link will be provided to those that register.Session times: Friday 27 March 2026 at 4.00pmCourse location: as listed above Entry Recommendations Applicants using employment to meet admission requirements must download the Employment Report from the Additional Resources section below and email the completed form to [email protected]

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Foundation Education

OnlineEarly Childhood Education

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About this course

Prepare to launch your career in an expanding industry by gaining the necessary skills and training to work in or run your own early childhood education facility.

Career Outcomes

Long Day Care Educator, Family Day Care Educator, Kindergarten Assistant, Childcare Assistant, Early Childhood Educator, Lead Educator, Childcare Director, Educational Leader, Group Leader, Assistant Director

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Frequently Asked Questions — Early Childhood Education

What qualifications do I need to work in childcare?

A Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the minimum requirement to work as an educator. A Diploma qualifies you for lead educator and room leader roles.

How long does a Diploma of Early Childhood take?

A Diploma typically takes 12-18 months full-time, or up to 2 years part-time. Many providers offer online study with practical placement.

What is the salary for early childhood educators?

Certificate III educators typically earn $45,000-$52,000. Diploma-qualified lead educators earn $52,000-$65,000, while centre directors can earn $70,000+.

Early Childhood Education Courses in Australia

Career Pathway

Browse by State

15 Early Childhood Education Courses

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care)

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care/Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth – 8) Flinders Uni Pathway

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care/Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth – 5) Flinders Uni Pathway

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care/ Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) - Adelaide Uni Pathway

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

About this course

Career Outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions — Early Childhood Education

15 Early Childhood Education Courses

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care)

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care/Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth – 8) Flinders Uni Pathway

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care/Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth – 5) Flinders Uni Pathway

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care/ Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) - Adelaide Uni Pathway

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

About this course

Career Outcomes

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care