Early Childhood Education
- Apr 12, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 26, 2024
Early Childhood Education is an academic field that provides education to young children in their early years. It offers theoretical knowledge and practical experience in child development and education. This field provides various job opportunities such as early childhood teachers, childcare workers, and kindergarten teachers. It aims to guide and assist children by understanding their development and education.

1. Admissions Guide for Early Childhood Education Courses in Australia
This diagram provides a brief guide to the admission process for high school and university graduates who wish to study Early Childhood Education and Care programs in Australia.
2. Entry Requirements for Early Childhood Education Studies in Australia
The table below outlines the minimum entry requirements for international students who are interested in pursuing studies in Early Childhood Education and Care in Australia. Entry requirements are categorized into academic and English language requirements. For detailed admission requirements, please consult with an Australian Study Abroad Counselor (QEAC).
Note: These requirements may vary depending on the institution.
QUALIFICATION | IELTS | ACADEMIC REQUIREMENT |
Certificates | 5.5 (no band less than 5.0) | Year 11 |
Diploma | 5.5 (no band less than 5.0) | Year 12 with ATAR |
Bachelor's degree (Please refer to blog 'Teaching') | 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) | High school diploma |
Master's degree (Please refer to blog 'Teaching') | 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) | Bachelor's degree Prerequisite Subjects |
3. Structure of Early Childhood Education Courses in Australia
The following table provides an overview of the structure of an Early Childhood Education course for international students in Australia. It outlines the key components of the course and briefly describes what each component covers. This information can be useful for students who are interested in pursuing a career in early childhood education and want to gain a better understanding of the different areas of knowledge and skills that they will acquire through the course.
Note: The components and course structure may vary depending on the institution and specific course.
Component | Description |
Child Development | This component covers the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of young children. Students will learn about the stages of child development, factors that influence development, and strategies for promoting healthy development. |
Early Childhood Education and Care | This component covers the principles and practices of early childhood education and care, including curriculum planning, assessment, and programming for young children. Students will learn about the importance of play-based learning and how to create safe and stimulating learning environments. |
Professional Practice | This component covers the practical aspects of working in the early childhood education field, including communication and teamwork, professional ethics and conduct, and engaging with families and communities. Students will also undertake supervised work placements in early childhood settings to gain practical experience. |
Language and Literacy | This component covers the development of language and literacy skills in young children. Students will learn about the importance of early language and literacy development, and how to support children's language and literacy development through a range of activities and strategies. |
Inclusive Practice | This component covers strategies for creating inclusive learning environments that meet the diverse needs of all children. Students will learn about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in early childhood education, and how to support children with diverse needs and backgrounds. |

4. List of Early Childhood Education Schools in Australia (Diploma Level)
This table provides a comprehensive list of early childhood education schools located in various states and territories across Australia. The schools listed offer a range of courses and programs related to early childhood education, including child development, curriculum planning, pedagogy, and practical experience in a variety of settings. Prospective students and individuals interested in pursuing a career in early childhood education can use this table as a resource to explore available options for education in this field in Australia.
State/Territory | Institution |
NSW | TAFE NSW KCA Education Times Academy SSBT Queensford College Victorian Institute of Education |
VIC | Box Hill Institute Alma Mater College Australia (AMCA) Melbourne City Institute of Education (MCIE) Southern Cross Education Institute (SCEI) RGIT Australia |
QLD | TAFE QLD KCA Education Imagine Education Australia Shafston International College Charlton Brown Queensford College |
SA | TAFE SA Southern Cross Education Institute (SCEI) EQUALS Victorian Institute of Education Queensford College |
WA | Stanley College Kinston International College AIWT |
TAS | TasTAFE Charlton Brown Queensford College RGIT Australia |

5. Hierarchy of Early Childhood Education Positions and Descriptions
The table outlines the positions in the early childhood education hierarchy in Australia, from an Entry-Level Educator to a Director. Responsibilities and required skills increase with each position, with higher positions requiring experience in managing a team of educators, designing and implementing quality educational programs, and ensuring compliance with regulations and standards.
Note that the positions and descriptions may vary depending on the early childhood education institution or organization.
Position | Description |
Entry-Level Educator | This position is an entry-level role in early childhood education. The individual may have no formal qualifications, but may have completed a Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. They assist in the implementation of educational programs and support the daily needs of young children. |
Child Care Worker (Group Leader) | A Child Care Worker (Group Leader) is responsible for leading and supervising a team of educators in delivering a high-quality early childhood education program. They ensure that the educational program aligns with the approved learning framework, and liaise with families and other stakeholders to provide support and feedback. |
Early Childhood Teacher | An Early Childhood Teacher is responsible for designing and implementing an educational program that is developmentally appropriate for young children. They provide a safe and stimulating learning environment, and work closely with families to support children's learning and development. A four-year Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) degree is required for this position. |
Educational Leader | The Educational Leader is responsible for overseeing the educational program in a specific room or area within an early childhood education setting. They support and mentor educators to improve their practice and ensure that the program aligns with the approved learning framework. A Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Care is required for this position. |
Child Care Centre Manager | The Child Care Centre Manager is responsible for managing the overall operations of an early childhood education setting. They oversee the educational program, manage staff, liaise with families and the community, and ensure that the service complies with all relevant regulations and standards. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Early Childhood Education and Care is often required for this position. |

6. Career Information for Early Childhood Education in Australia
The table below provides an overview of the career path and future prospects for becoming a professional in the field of early childhood education in Australia. It includes information on the job outlook, employment size, future job growth rate, average salary, employee percentage, female employment rate, and the average age of the workforce in this field. This information can be helpful for students who are considering pursuing a career in early childhood education and want to understand the potential opportunities and challenges in this industry.
Occupation | Child Carers (ANZSCO ID 4211) |
Job Type | Community And Personal Service Workers |
Skill Level | Medium skill |
Unemployment Rate | Above average |
Employed | 165,000 |
Future Growth | 5.9% |
Weekly Earnings | A$1,059 |
Full - Time Share | 43% |
Female Share | 95% |
Average Age | 33 |

7. Immigrating to Australia through Early Childhood Education
The diagram below provides an overview of the general process for immigrating to Australia through early childhood education courses, including available visa options and the information on related occupations.
Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) | Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) | Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) |
O | O | O | O | O |
Occupation | ANZSCO | List | Visa | Accessing Authority |
Child Care Centre Manager | 134111 | MLTSSL | Subclass 189 Subclass 190 Subclass 482 Subclass 494 Subclass 491 Subclass 186 | ACECQA |
Child Care Worker (group leaders only) | 421111 | ROL | Subclass 494 | ACECQA |
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | 241111 | MLTSSL | Subclass 189 Subclass 190 Subclass 482 Subclass 494 Subclass 491 Subclass 186 | AITSL |




Comments