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Careers & pathways

How to become a early childhood educator in Australia

Early childhood educators plan and deliver education and care for children before school age.

The work

What the job involves

  • Plan and run learning experiences
  • Supervise and care for children
  • Observe and document development
  • Work in partnership with families
  • Meet the national quality and ratio requirements

Where the work happens

Long day care, kindergarten and preschool settings, working with children and their families.

Licensing and registration

Working with children requires a Working with Children Check in every state and territory. In Victoria it is administered by the Department of Government Services.

Typical qualification pathway

The qualifications usually used to enter this work

  • One entry qualification is Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125), a nationally recognised qualification on the national register. The registered training organisations approved to deliver and issue it are listed on training.gov.au.

  • One entry qualification is Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50125), a nationally recognised qualification on the national register. The registered training organisations approved to deliver and issue it are listed on training.gov.au.

  • One entry qualification is Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, a higher education qualification. The institutions registered to deliver it to international students are listed on the CRICOS register.

  • One entry qualification is Master of Teaching (Early Childhood), a higher education qualification. The institutions registered to deliver it to international students are listed on the CRICOS register.

  • One entry qualification is Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood), a higher education qualification. The institutions registered to deliver it to international students are listed on the CRICOS register.

Last reviewed: 2026-09-10

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