Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Skills check

You will be invited to complete a Skills Check following your application submission, before enrolling to your studies. This helps you to decide if your course is right for you and allows us to understand your current abilities in English, Maths, as well as using Digital technology. 

The recommended benchmark levels for this course are 4 in English, 4 in Maths and 3 in Digital Technology.

If you are applying for a VET Student Loan the required levels to meet academic eligibility, as outlined by Commonwealth guidelines, is Level 4 English and Maths.

Access and instructions on how to complete the Skills Check will be emailed to you once you have submitted your application.

Read the Skills Check FAQs.

Prerequisite requirements

To enter into this course, you must hold a:

• CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (or its equivalent successor)
  OR
• CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Alternatively, you 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

You must be a minimum of 18 years to attend compulsory residential blocks.

Selection criteria

You must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander as this training product has been developed specifically for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in support of equity policy for post compulsory education.

To complete this program, you will participate in residential block training on campus, along with flexible, self paced online learning. Attendance at residential blocks requires registration with ABSTUDY. Students living in close proximity to the listed campus are also welcome to enrol, provided they can attend all scheduled study blocks.

Apprenticeship pathway
To study an apprenticeship program you must be indentured as an apprentice with your employer.

Employers need to be able to provide the necessary human and physical resources to qualify for an apprentice.

Find out more on how to become an apprentice or trainee

It is recommended that you have access to a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader. This equipment and software is available for use at all TAFE Queensland locations.

You will be provided with a recommended reading list and/or required textbooks during orientation or at the start of each unit. The purchase of these resources may incur additional costs, or you may be able to borrow them from the TAFE Queensland library network.

You are also required to have access to a reliable USB for assessment and resource collation during residential block attendances.

If you are not currently employed or volunteering in industry, during your course you will be required to complete vocational placement so you can start practising your new skills in a real-world environment. You’ll be required to work shifts determined by your placement provider, and these can include early mornings or late nights, any day of the week, including public holidays. TAFE Queensland may be able to assist in arranging suitable placements.

Completing placement is compulsory, and you will be expected to manage family and work commitments in order to complete your shifts. You are required to complete 280 hours of placement to satisfy this component of your qualification.

To successfully satisfy all course requirements you will be required to apply for a Blue Card. Vaccinations may be required by the owner or operator of the facility providing your placement.  
Please see Placement information for community services.

You are required to attend compulsory face to face residential block training. The dates for your residential block training will be provided upon commencement of your course.  To enable your attendance at residential block training, you will need to be registered with ABSTUDY.

If you are currently employed in an Early Childhood Education and Care Service, you will need to discuss your residential block release dates with your employer, to make sure you are available to attend the compulsory residential blocks.   

Please note: in addition to the above, you are also required to complete your own study each week to ensure you progress successfully through your course. Further information will be provided at the commencement of your course.

This course is offered through RATEP ECEC providing students with face to face, online/hard copy and teacher support throughout their qualification.  

RATEP ECEC sites throughout the state provide early childhood training at the Diploma level. 

RATEP ECEC locations are as follows:

• Thursday Island and Torres Strait Outer Islands
• Bamaga/Injinoo/Umagico/New Mapoon/Seisia
• Napranum/Weipa
• Lockhart River
• Hope Vale/Cooktown
• Pormpuraaw
• Normanton
• Yarrabah
• Woorabinda
• Cherbourg