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HomeCoursesEarly childhood educationCertificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

This qualification prepares you to work as an educator with young children in a regulated service such as long day care, family day care, a preschool or a kindergarten.

Illustration of a person working as early childhood educator
  • Duration: 9 months to 18 months
  • Study mode: Online, on campus, blended and workplace based
  • Course code: CHC30125

Where you can study this course

Where
Study mode

  • Melbourne Polytechnic

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    13 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    A number of students find the organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some rate the facilities and campus highly.

  • TAFE NSW

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    15 campuses
    Duration
    9 months to 18 months
    Study mode
    Varies by campus
    Full fee
    $11,550
    Eligible students: subsidised from $1,600, concession $240

    What students say

    Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.

  • Victoria University

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    11 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Most students praise the student support, while others find it frustrating. Many rate the facilities and campus well, and some criticise the organisation and admin.

  • Stanley College

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    4 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Most students rate the student support highly, while many also praise the trainers and teaching. Opinions are mixed on organisation and admin, and some found communication frustrating.

  • Charles Darwin University

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    12 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students often praise the facilities and campus, while some value student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with communication also a concern.

  • Swinburne University of Technology

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    8 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Some students praise the facilities and campus, while some criticise organisation and admin for being frustrating, and opinions are mixed on course content. A number also mention student support and teaching positively or negatively.

  • TAFE Gippsland

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    11 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

  • TAFE Queensland

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    Campuses
    32 campuses
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    On campus with some online
    Full fee
    $5,410
    Eligible students: subsidised from $970, concession $425

    What students say

    Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.

Last reviewed 20 September 2026.

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Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

Entry requirements are set by each provider, so check the ones you are considering.

  • Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:

  • an interest in how young children learn and grow
  • patience and a calm manner with children
  • good communication skills with children, families and colleagues
  • a willingness to observe children and reflect on your practice

What will you learn?

You learn how to keep children safe and well, plan play and learning experiences, and follow an approved learning framework while you do it. A large part of the study is practical: the course includes a supervised placement in a real service, where you work alongside children and staff and build up the skills you will use on the job. You also cover first aid, workplace safety, inclusion, and how to recognise and report children at risk, along with the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with the role.

  • Child health, safety and wellbeing
  • Play and learning experiences
  • Following an approved learning framework
  • Caring for babies and toddlers
  • Observing children to plan programs
  • Inclusion, diversity and cultural respect

Units of competency (15 core, 2 elective)

The qualification is made up of 17 units. Everyone completes the 15 core units below, and the remaining 2 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.

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Career pathways

Roles this qualification is a recognised route into, and what else you need.

Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).