If you are passionate about working with children, a career in early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Australia could be for you. Emphasising play-based learning and holistic development, it offers a rewarding way to make a real difference in young lives.

Why Early Childhood Education and Care is a Game-Changer in Australia

According to SkillsIQ, Australia's workforce development authority, there is an increasing need for qualified early childhood educators as Australia’s population grows, especially in regional and metropolitan areas. The Australian government continues to invest in this sector due to the importance of early learning for children's development.

The Australian Government’s Job Outlook website confirms strong growth in the sector, with job opportunities expected to increase in the coming years. For more details, you can visit Job Outlook – Early Childhood Education

Why Consider Early Childhood Education?

Rewarding Career:

• Offers personal fulfilment by shaping children’s growth and development.
• Provides a chance to create a strong foundation for future learning and success.

Impact on Development:

• Key role in fostering early cognitive, social, and emotional skills.
• Supports the development of essential social and problem-solving abilities.

Valued in Australia:

• Recognised by the government for its impact on long-term educational outcomes.
• The Australian government is investing billions of dollars in the sector, ensuring opportunities and job security

Pathways for all entry levels and toward Permanent Residency:

• Prospective students can study to become Early Childhood Educators through a Vocational path and then proceed to Bachelor's or;
• Going directly into a bachelor's course or;
• Study a post-graduate Master's if they have already completed a different Bachelor's degree in their home country.

Explanation of Study and Career Outcomes in Early Childhood Education and Care Sector in Australia

Most students will study the course that aligns best with their future career goals. The most common outcome for students is to become one of the following job outcomes

• Child Care Worker
• Childcare Centre Manager
• Early Childhood Educator (Pre-primary school teacher)

Child Care Workers: 

Provide care and supervision for children in residential homes and non-residential childcare centres. This job outcome requires students to study two qualifications over two years:

• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Diploma in Early Childhood Education

Childcare workers are not easily eligible for post-study visas or general skilled migration. However, they are eligible for regional sponsorship if they want to relocate. However, this is quite competitive and requires a lot of research on the student's part.

Childcare Centre Managers 

Childcare Centre Managers plan, organise, direct, control, and coordinate the activities of childcare centres and services, including physical and human resources.

Early childhood education (pre-primary teacher):

Early Childhood Educators teach the basics of numeracy, literacy, music, art, and literature to students in early childhood education (pre-primary). It promotes students' social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.

Those in these roles are eligible for post-study work visas (graduate visas) and skilled migration pathways. However, those who pursue these roles must study the following:  

• Bachelor of Early Childhood Education 

If you already have a Bachelor's Qualification in child care from another country or even another degree, you are eligible to apply for the following:

• Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education
• Masters of Education (Early Childhood)
  

**Prices vary depending on the institution, the state and the location where the course is delivered.**

Course Package and Fees to Take in Becoming a Child Care Worker

What Qualifications Should You Study?

Early Childhood Education and Care contains many qualifications that can be studied to achieve your desired career prospects. Here is a list of the qualifications we offer through our training partners:

• Certificate III of Early Childhood Education
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• Bachelor of Early Childhood Education 
• Graduate Diploma of Childhood Education
• Masters of Education (Early Childhood)

Certificate III of Early Childhood Education -This qualification defines the role of educators in early childhood education and care in Australia. They promote children's well-being and development while adhering to an approved learning framework. Educators apply various skills and knowledge, often working independently or with limited supervision.

• Duration: It takes 1 year to complete
• This qualification is the minimum requirement to work in Childcare as a Childcare Worker

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care -This qualification represents the role of educators in regulated early childhood education and care services in Australia. They design and implement curriculum based on approved learning frameworks while ensuring compliance with service operations. Educators use specialised knowledge in various situations and may supervise volunteers or other educators.

• Duration: It takes 1 year to complete
• Graduates in this course can proceed with potential roles, including early childhood educator, family day care educator, and pathways to further study, such as a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. 

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education - This course gives you the latest knowledge and skills to teach children from birth to five years old. You will learn all about early learning and development, preparing you for various professional roles in childcare settings. 

• Duration: It takes 4 years to complete
• This course prepares graduates to become passionate Early Childhood Teachers and Childcare Centre Managers

The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education - is designed to meet the professional needs of individuals aiming for higher roles within early childhood education. The Diploma of Early Childhood and Care provides a pathway for aspiring teachers to take on leadership positions in teaching and curriculum and roles in service direction and management in early childhood education.

• Duration: It takes 1 year to complete
• This course prepares graduates to become passionate Early Childhood Teachers and Childcare Centre Managers Education

Masters of Education (Early Childhood) - In your studies, you will acquire expertise in modern early childhood education, playful teaching methods, curriculum creativity, digital citizenship, sustainability and kinship, community engagement, service management, inclusive practices, trauma-informed care, educational leadership, and practitioner research in early childhood education.

• Duration: It takes 1.4 years to complete
• This course prepares graduates to become passionate Early Childhood Teachers and Childcare Centre Managers

View our course page:  Early Childhood Education & Care Program

Entry Requirements for International Students Studying Early Childhood Education & Care in Australia

Course Requirements

• Certificate III of Early Childhood Education
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age
• Secondary School Year 12 (pass) transcripts
• English Language Proficiency - IELTS (6.0 to 6.5), TOEFL, PTE Academic

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Requirements: 

• Must be 18 years of age
• Secondary School Year 12 (pass) transcripts
• English Language Proficiency - IELTS score of 6.5 (Academic) with no less than 6.5 in Speaking and 6.0 in Listening, Writing, and Reading, or equivalent.
• Students who have completed the Early Childhood Education and Care package (VET) do not require the English language requirement and are granted entry into the Bachelor's program.

Post-Graduate Early Childhood Education Courses:

• Graduate Diploma of Childhood Education
• Masters of Education (Early Childhood) 

Requirements:

• Must be 18 years of age
• Secondary School Year 12 (pass) transcripts
• English Language Proficiency -Equivalent IELTS 7.0 with no band less than 7.0.
• Students must have completed an AQF-level equivalent bachelor's degree (maybe in another discipline)

Meet Student Visa Requirements

• Provide evidence of enrollment for the course you wish to enrol in
• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirements
• Evidence of financial capacity to support your stay in Australia (tuition, living expenses).
• Health insurance coverage (Overseas Student Health Cover or OSHC)
• You must meet Australia’s character requirements, which could include a police clearance

Study Pathways for ECEC

Students may elect to extend their student visa and employment opportunities by enrolling in further studies in Early Childhood Education, which allows for higher salaries and further stay options. Here is an example of how Students studying the Vocational Pathways for ECEC can progress to the undergraduate course (Bachelor of Childhood Education and Care). Once the course is completed, students can apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which allows them to stay and work in Australia for up to 2 years.

The student will get credit for their Vocational qualifications and will need to complete another two years and two trimesters to gain the Bachelor's qualification instead of another four years of study, bringing all three qualifications completed in less than five years.

Students can continue working in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector while pursuing further education, allowing them to gain more experience. 

Early Childhood Education & Care Job Prospects

Graduates of the Early Childhood Education and Care program can work in various settings, including:

Early Childhood Educators' role encompasses more than just teaching; they are dedicated to nurturing, guiding, and establishing a safe, supportive environment that empowers and inspires learning.

• With an average annual salary of $60,000 to $70,000

Kindergarten Teachers -  residential homes, childcare centres, kindergartens, hospitals, crèches, and women’s shelters.

• With an average annual salary of $70,000 to $75,000

Challenges and Rewards of Studying Early Childhood Education and Care in Australia

Studying early childhood education and care in Australia presents unique opportunities and challenges. Here is a breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses to guide your decision-making.

Challenges

1. Emotional Demands: Working with young children can be emotionally demanding, requiring patience, empathy, and resilience.

2. Physical Demands: The job can be physically active, involving lifting, bending, and playing with children.

3. Communication: Clear communication with children, families, and colleagues is essential.

Rewards

• Making a Difference: You will help shape young minds and support children's development.

• Job Satisfaction: Seeing children learn, grow, and thrive is incredibly rewarding.

• Strong Job Prospects: High demand for qualified educators offers job security and career growth.

• Supportive Work Environment: You will help shape young minds and support children's development.

Post-Study for Early Childhood Educators

There have always been stable pathways for Early Childhood Education & Care graduates to stay in Australia. However, you must work as an “Early Childhood (Pre-primary) Teacher” and undergo a skills assessment to possess adequate skills and knowledge of the following: 

• planning and structuring learning in both indoor and outdoor environments using a variety of materials and equipment to facilitate students' development
• providing a variety of experiences and activities to develop motor skills, cooperative social skills, confidence and understanding
• promoting language development through storytelling, role play, songs, rhymes and informal discussions held individually and within groups
• observing students to evaluate progress and to detect signs of ill health, emotional disturbance and other disabilities
• observing nutritional health, welfare and safety needs of students and identifying factors which may impede students' progress
• discussing students' progress with parents
• attending parent interviews, and staff and committee meetings
• participating in community and family support programs as appropriate
• supervising student teachers on placement

Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership is the skills assessment body that verifies the standing of those skills for all visa purposes

Here are the common visa pathways that Early Childhood graduates can pursue. 

Students who graduate from the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education course are eligible for:

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) 

• Stay in Australia for 18 months.
• Travel, work or study during your stay in Australia
• Include members of your family
• Become eligible for skilled visas and pathways to permanent residency

To be eligible for this visa, you MUST be:

• be 35 years of age or under when you apply. *Exceptions apply
• be in Australia when you apply for this visa
• hold an eligible visa or have held a Student visa in the last 6 months
• qualify relevant to an occupation on the skilled occupation list
• have applied for a skills assessment in your nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list
• provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants when you apply
• provide evidence you have applied for an Australian Federal Police check when you apply.
• provide evidence of the required level of English with your application.

Students may be eligible for other work visas if they can gain sponsorship from an Employer sponsor through:

The visa includes the Core Skills Stream, Specialist Skill Stream, and Labour Agreement Stream. With this visa, you can:

• work in Australia for up to 4 years 
• travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid
• if eligible, apply for permanent residence

To be eligible for this visa, you MUST be:

• be nominated to work in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
• have at least 1 year of relevant work (full-time or 2 years part-time) experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
• have a relevant skills assessment 
• work only for your sponsor or associated entity 
• meet minimum standards of English language proficiency

Those who successfully acquire further stay visas can be eligible for Skilled Migration. This allows for Permanent Stay in Australia through the following visas:

Skilled Independent (subclass 189) 

• workers with skills can live and work permanently anywhere in Australia
• You don’t need sponsors or nominators
• MUST be invited to apply
• MUST be under 45 years of age

Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)

• You must be nominated by the state or territory
• Must live and work in the nominating state or territory for at least two years
• Study, work, and stay in Australia permanently
• enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
• sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
• travel to and from Australia for 5 years
• if eligible, become an Australian citizen
  

Check specific requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website. This page provides the latest details and eligibility criteria for all relevant visas.

“Studyaway is your partner throughout your stay in Australia, and we will guide you every step of the way, from student visas to graduate, work, and permanent residency, through our team of experts.”

Start Your Early Childhood Education Journey with Studyaway!

Studying Early Childhood Education and Care in Australia offers strong job prospects and the opportunity to make a real difference. 

At Studyaway, we provide expert support to help you choose the right course, manage visa options, and navigate your career path. With our affordable packages, we can make your dream of studying in Australia a reality. 

Here is some further reading to support you

• Choosing the Right Course to Study in Australia: A Guide for International Students
• Navigate to our course page, Early Childhood Education & Care Program
• Top Course to Study in Australia 
• Student Visa Requirements