Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

This diploma is for people already working in early childhood who want to take on more responsibility: designing the curriculum, keeping the service compliant and guiding other educators.

Compare 40 providers

How long it takes: 1 to 2 years; full time at TAFE NSW
What it costs: From $1,380; Subsidised at TAFE Queensland, full fee up to $17,839
How you can study: Online, on campus, a mix or on the job; Includes a work placement
Main job: Early Childhood Educator; $69,700 median pay, In demand
Taught by: 40 providers; Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

What the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

a genuine interest in how young children learn and grow
patience and a calm approach to guiding children
good communication skills for working with families
a willingness to reflect on and improve your own practice

Before you start

Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who hold: CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (or its equivalent successor) OR CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Alternatively, individuals may hold: An Australian diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care OR An Australian diploma or certificate III in Children’s Services. AND Demonstrate at least 12 months of cumulative employment (full-time equivalent) within the last 5 years in a regulated education and care service in Australia, supported by verifiable evidence. OR Hold the CHCSS00147 Entry into Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

Where this course can take you

Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.

Jobs you can do with it

Childcare Centre Manager
A childcare centre manager runs the daily operations of an early learning service, from staffing and budgets to keeping the centre compliant with national quality standards.
What else you need
A diploma is the stated minimum for an early childhood centre manager or director. Check the provider is approved and that the qualification meets your state's nominated supervisor rules.
Median pay$103,100
Early Childhood Educator
Early childhood educators care for and teach children from birth to school age in long day care, preschool and kindergarten rooms.
What else you need
Verify ACECQA approval, meet diploma entry requirements, complete required placement, child-safety training and screening, and meet service and jurisdiction requirements. This is not an early-childhood-teacher qualification. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
Median pay$69,700
In demand
Family Day Care Coordinator
Family day care coordinators support and monitor the educators who run childcare from their own homes, checking that care meets national standards and helping families find the right educator.
What else you need
Family day care coordinators must hold an approved diploma level education and care qualification. Check the specific qualification is on the approved list and gives you the coordinator outcome the service needs.
Median pay$78,000 (estimate)

If you study further

A bachelor degree in early childhood teaching
Leads to work as an, median pay $99,100.

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.

What it costs

Where do you want to study?

Subsidised place

From $1,380

at TAFE Queensland. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.

Paying the full fee

$7,485 to $17,839

across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.

TAFE fees for this course
TAFE	State	Subsidised	Concession	Full fee
Chisholm Institute	VIC	$9,467		$17,839
GOTAFE	VIC	$8,887		$17,259
Holmesglen Institute	VIC	$10,047		$15,650
The Gordon	VIC	$8,024		$15,842
TAFE Queensland	QLD	$1,380	$75	$7,485

Chisholm InstituteVIC
Subsidised
$9,467
Full fee
$17,839
GOTAFEVIC
Subsidised
$8,887
Full fee
$17,259
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
Subsidised
$10,047
Full fee
$15,650
The GordonVIC
Subsidised
$8,024
Full fee
$15,842
TAFE QueenslandQLD
Subsidised
$1,380
Concession
$75
Full fee
$7,485

Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.

Where you can study this course

There are 40 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

Melbourne Polytechnic
13 campuses, VIC
3.7from 485 Google reviews
Website for Melbourne Polytechnic (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Some teachers are supportive and go out of their way
- Student services offer understanding and compassion
What to weigh up
- Messages to staff can go unanswered
- Enrolment mistakes can take time to fix
TAFE NSW
19 campuses, NSW
More about TAFE NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
How you study
On campus or on the job
How long
1 to 2 years
Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
Victoria University
11 campuses, NSW, QLD, VIC
3.9from 1,562 Google reviews
Website for Victoria University (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Lecturers are friendly, supportive and approachable
- Studying one subject at a time through the block model
- Staff are welcoming and ready to help
What to weigh up
- Admin can be hard to reach after you finish
Stanley College
4 campuses, SA, WA
4.3from 882 Google reviews
Website for Stanley College (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Finance staff are patient and explain fees clearly
- Student services staff are friendly and helpful
- Trainers explain clearly and give practical examples
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
Charles Darwin University
12 campuses, NSW, NT
4.2from 619 Google reviews
Website for Charles Darwin University (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Admin and support staff are helpful
What to weigh up
- Units vary depending on the lecturer
- Feedback on assessments can vary
Swinburne University of Technology
8 campuses, VIC
4.0from 1,190 Google reviews
Website for Swinburne University of Technology (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Lecturers and tutors are supportive and want students to succeed
- Student HQ and support staff are helpful and responsive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- You may be passed between departments
TAFE Gippsland
11 campuses, VIC
3.9from 113 Google reviews
Website for TAFE Gippsland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
26 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
How you study
Online or on campus
Fee
From $1,380 subsidised
Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin