Early childhood education courses
Want to work with young children? You can start with a certificate that takes under a year, or train as a teacher with a degree. Here's what each course leads to, how long it takes and what it costs.
- Quickest way to start
- 9 months
- Certificate III, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $970
- subsidised Certificate III, TAFE Queensland
- What the jobs pay
- $59,800 to $115,800
- median pay across 6 jobs, some estimated
- Demand
- 3 of 6 jobs
- are on the national shortage list
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Work as an educator in childcare
Care for and teach babies and young children in long day care, preschool or family day care.
Median pay$69,700
- How long it takes
- 9 to 18 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $970 at TAFE Queensland if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $5,410 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online, on campus, a mix or on the job
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Lead a room or manage a centre
Plan what children learn, keep the service meeting the rules and guide other educators.
Median pay$103,100
- How long it takes
- 1 to 2 years full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $1,380 at TAFE Queensland if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $7,485 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online, on campus, a mix or on the job
A bachelor degree in early childhood teaching
Become an early childhood teacher
Teach in kindergartens, preschools and long day care, and with some degrees, primary schools too.
Median pay$99,100
- How long it takes
- 2.5 to 4.5 years full time
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
You don't have to do it all at once
You can start with the Certificate III, get a job as an educator, then study the diploma or a degree while you work. Here's how that can look.
- Get your Certificate IIIThe quickest way to start. Educators need at least this, or to be working towards it.
- Start working as an educatorGet experience in a centre, preschool or family day care.
- Study the diploma while you workTake on a room leader role, and later a centre manager role.
- Go on to a teaching degreeBecome an early childhood teacher, or teach primary too with the right degree.
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate III | Diploma | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,600 | $11,550 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $6,708 | $15,093 | $9,467 | $17,839 |
| GOTAFE | VIC | Not listed | Not listed | $8,887 | $17,259 |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $4,249 | $13,416 | $10,047 | $15,650 |
| The Gordon | VIC | $6,473 | $12,030 | $8,024 | $15,842 |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $970 | $5,410 | $1,380 | $7,485 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate III
- $1,600 subsidised
- $11,550 full fee
- Diploma
- Not listed
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Certificate III
- $6,708 subsidised
- $15,093 full fee
- Diploma
- $9,467 subsidised
- $17,839 full fee
GOTAFEVIC
- Certificate III
- Not listed
- Diploma
- $8,887 subsidised
- $17,259 full fee
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Certificate III
- $4,249 subsidised
- $13,416 full fee
- Diploma
- $10,047 subsidised
- $15,650 full fee
The GordonVIC
- Certificate III
- $6,473 subsidised
- $12,030 full fee
- Diploma
- $8,024 subsidised
- $15,842 full fee
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate III
- $970 subsidised
- $5,410 full fee
- Diploma
- $1,380 subsidised
- $7,485 full fee
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
The teaching degrees compared
All of these can lead to work as an early childhood teacher. The main differences are how long they take and which ages you'll be able to teach. All can be studied online at one or more universities.
- Bachelor of Early Childhood EducationTeach babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Some universities also cover the first years of school. Placements in centres and kindergartens are built in.How long2.5 to 4 yearsAges you can teachBefore school, some into early primary
- Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five)Focuses only on children from birth to five, in kindergartens and long day care. The shortest of the degrees.How long3 yearsAges you can teachBirth to five
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)Teach children from birth into the early primary years, in kindergartens, preschools and some schools. Supervised placements are a big part of it.How long3 to 4.5 yearsAges you can teachBirth into early primary
- Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary EducationEarly learning and primary teaching in one degree, including literacy and numeracy teaching, with placements in both.How long4 yearsAges you can teachBefore school and all of primary
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)Qualifies you to teach in both early learning services and primary schools, with placements in each.How long4 yearsAges you can teachBefore school and all of primary
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)Covers play based learning, early language and maths, and leadership. Some versions also qualify you for primary classrooms.How long4 yearsAges you can teachBefore school, some versions primary
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)Covers the years before school and the first years of primary, with a strong practical part in centres and classrooms.How long4 yearsAges you can teachBefore school and early primary
Short university courses
- Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education6 months. For people who already have a degree in another area and want an introduction to teaching young children.
- Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education6 months. A short introduction to caring for and teaching young children. A way to try university study first.
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
- Early Childhood TeacherWhat you needA teaching degreeMedian pay$99,100In demand
Primary School TeacherWhat you needAn early childhood and primary degreeMedian pay$115,800- Early Childhood EducatorWhat you needCertificate III or diplomaMedian pay$69,700In demand
Out of School Hours Care EducatorWhat you needCertificate III, in most statesMedian pay$59,800 (estimate)In demand- Childcare Centre ManagerWhat you needDiplomaMedian pay$103,100
Family Day Care CoordinatorWhat you needDiplomaMedian pay$78,000 (estimate)
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.