CHC30121 - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Duration | There are multiple durations. Please refer to Course Structure below. |
Location | Online and |
Next intake | October, 2023 |
Study mode | On Campus, Mixed Mode, RPL/RCC/Credit |
Total units | 17 |

Overview
If you thrive in giving the next generation the best possible start, then look at completing a qualification in early childhood education and care. This course is included in the Australian and Queensland Government’s Fee Free TAFE program.
This qualification reflects the role of educators in early childhood education and care who work in regulated children's education and care services in Australia. They support children's wellbeing and development in the context of an approved learning framework and within organisational policies and procedures, within the requirements of the Education and Care National Quality Framework. Attaining the required skills and knowledge of an Early Childhood educator provides you with an understanding of how to engage children in play-based learning activities, that contribute to reaching individual children's developmental milestones.
To complete this course, students are required to undertake placement and complete a minimum of 160 hours of Vocational Placement. Students who are currently employed in a regulated early childhood service, may undertake their placement with their existing employer.
Units within the course are grouped together in clusters with each cluster having its own specific Vocational Placement hours. Placement hours completed under one cluster can be carried onto the next cluster until the minimum 160 Vocational Placement hours are met.
These Vocational Placements aim to provide students with hands-on experience and real-world exposure, complementing their academic knowledge and fostering their professional development.
This is a nationally recognised accredited course.
QUALITY EDUCATION, WHEREVER YOU ARE
Between our reputation for learning, teaching and research, our renowned online education offering, and our status as Australia’s largest regional university, rest assured you will get a world-class education when you choose CQUniversity.
A UNI THAT KNOWS CREDIBILITY IS KEY
In just 25 years, CQUniversity has achieved some amazing feats and emerged as one of Australia’s truly great universities. We have been ranked among the best in the world for our teaching and learning, and are internationally recognised for our focus on Social Innovation. Our graduates are some of the most sought-after in Australia, due to our reputation for work integrated learning and industry-aligned courses, and experience some of the nation’s best graduate outcomes in terms of full-time employment and starting salary. CQUni is also regarded as the nation’s most inclusive and engaged university, with our award-winning academic and research staff making a real impact on the communities and industries we serve.
A UNI THAT LEADS IN ONLINE EDUCATION
A pioneer in online study, CQUniversity has more than two decades of experience providing high quality online learning experiences across the country and even internationally. We work hard to deliver the latest techniques in online study, and have even planned our physical sites to provide more services to our widespread online study cohort.
A UNI THAT KNOWS CONVENIENCE COUNTS
CQUniversity is truly focused on our students’ needs, and that means responding to what, how and where they want to study. It is why we are now Australia’s largest regional university, with more than 20 metropolitan and regional locations across five states, delivering TAFE and university qualifications in on-campus, online and supported online modes to more than 30 000 students.
A UNI THAT KNOWS YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS
CQUniversity’s strong focus on student experience ensures that you are prepared and supported on your student journey. Support services include on-campus or online orientation to assist your transition into university life, course and career advice, financial support options, study support, ongoing assistance through the Student Mentor program, counselling services, support for students with disability or medical conditions, Indigenous student support and more.
Career Opportunities
CHC30121 Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care is a pre-requisite to the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. Students can further their study opportunities with unit credits towards other qualifications within CQUniversity.
Occupations include but are not limited to Early Childhood Educator in long day care services, family daycare, in-home care, pre-schools or kindergartens.
Structure & Availability
MIXED MODE
Duration:This course is delivered over a 50 week period, however as it is competency and cluster-based, it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.
The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within an early childhood setting, with a mandatory minimum work placement of 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.
If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. Students will need to provide credit for HLTAID012.
START TAFE NOW (STN) MIXED MODE
Duration:This course is delivered over a 50 week period, however as it is competency and cluster-based, it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.
The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within an early childhood setting, with a mandatory minimum work placement of 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.
If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. Students will need to provide credit for HLTAID012.
ON CAMPUS - The MaraWay QLD
Duration:This course is delivered over a 45 week period, however as it is competency and cluster-based, it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level. Students must complete all components of the assessment tasks within the course to be deemed competent.
Students to follow the sequence in the course planner.
If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. Students will need to provide credit for HLTAID012.
Mixed Mode - Uni Hub Spencer Gulf Inc
Duration:This course is delivered over a 70 week period, however as it is competency and cluster-based, it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.
The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within an early childhood setting, with a mandatory minimum work placement of 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.
If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. Students will need to provide credit for HLTAID012.
TRAINEESHIP
Duration:This course is delivered over a 50 week period, however as it is competency and cluster-based, it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.
Students to follow the sequence in the course planner.
If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. Students will need to provide credit for HLTAID012.
Traineeship - Uni Hub Spencer Gulf Inc
Duration:This course is delivered over a 70 week period, however as it is competency and cluster-based, it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.
The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within an early childhood setting, with a mandatory minimum work placement of 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.
If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. Students will need to provide credit for HLTAID012.
RPL Structure
Duration:RPL Only
ON CAMPUS
Intake | Locations |
---|---|
February, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton |
April, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton |
June, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton |
July, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton |
August, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton |
October, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton |
TRAINEESHIP
Intake | Locations |
---|---|
January, 2023 | Mixed Mode, Online |
February, 2023 | Mixed Mode, Online |
March, 2023 | Mixed Mode, Online |
April, 2023 | Mixed Mode, Online |
May, 2023 | Mixed Mode, Online |
June, 2023 | Mixed Mode, Online |
July, 2023 | Mixed Mode, Online |
August, 2023 | Mixed Mode, Online |
September, 2023 | Mixed Mode, Online |
October, 2023 | Mixed Mode, Online |
November, 2023 | Mixed Mode, Online |
START TAFE NOW (STN) MIXED MODE
Intake | Locations |
---|---|
January, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
February, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
March, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
April, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
May, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
June, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
July, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
August, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
September, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
October, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
November, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
January, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
February, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
March, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
April, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
May, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
June, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
July, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
August, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
September, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
October, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
November, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
START TAFE NOW (STN) - ON CAMPUS
Intake | Locations |
---|---|
February, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton |
March, 2023 | On-campus, Rockhampton |
MIXED MODE
Intake | Locations |
---|---|
January, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
February, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
March, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
April, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
May, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
June, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
July, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
August, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
September, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
October, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
November, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
January, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
February, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
March, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
April, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
May, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
June, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
July, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
August, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
September, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
October, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
November, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
RECOGNITION PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)
Intake | Locations |
---|---|
FY, 2023 | Rockhampton, RPL/RCC/Credit |
Mixed Mode - Uni Hub Spencer Gulf Inc
Intake | Locations |
---|---|
July, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
August, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
September, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
October, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
November, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
December, 2023 | Mixed Mode |
This course has no residential schools.
The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within a regulated early childhood service, with a mandatory minimum vocational placement of 160 hours. Within this time allocation, students can demonstrate the required vocational placement tasks and skills for other units as required for the qualification.
Units within the course are grouped together in clusters with each cluster having its own specific Vocational Placement hours. Placement hours completed under one cluster can be carried onto the next cluster until the minimum 160 Vocational Placement hours are met.
These Vocational Placements aim to provide students with hands-on experience and real-world exposure, complementing their academic knowledge and fostering their professional development.
Requirements
CQUniversity requires: completion of bksb (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher-level course.
The requirement to complete vocational placement component for the duration of the qualification of minimum 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.
The requirement to successfully obtain a Working With Children Check relevant to your state in Australia.
Access to a computer, Internet and intermediate computer skills. 24 hour CQUniversity computer labs are available on selected campuses.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
COVID-19 vaccination is no longer a mandatory requirement for workers in early childhood, primary and secondary education settings. Decisions on mandatory vaccinations will instead be made by the owner or operator of these settings and as such students undertaking work-integrated learning will need to adhere to the individual education setting requirements.
Fees & Scholarships
2023 Indicative Fees
Fee Type | Fees |
---|---|
Fee for service | $4,862 |
Fee for service per unit | $286 |
TAFE Priority Skills Fund/Training Program fee per unit | $36.70 |
Co-Contribution Fee | $1,309 |
Co-Contribution Concessional Fee | $833 |
Co-Contribution Fee per unit | $77 |
Co-Contribution Concessional Fee per unit | $49 |
2024 Indicative Fees
Fee Type | Fees |
---|---|
Fee for service | $5,185 |
Fee for service per unit | $305 |
TAFE Priority Skills Fund/Training Program fee per unit | $5 |
Co-Contribution Fee | $1,037 |
Co-Contribution Concessional Fee | $527 |
Co-Contribution Fee per unit | $61 |
Co-Contribution Concessional Fee per unit | $31 |
Queensland Government subsidies are available for eligible applicants to greatly reduce the cost of apprentice and trainee training.
User Choice funding provides a contribution that reduces the cost of training. Eligible apprentices and trainees will be charged $1.60 per nominal hour. Concession rates apply for students who hold a current Health Care Card or who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Free apprenticeships for under 25s will cover the cost of training for employers who commence an eligible new apprentice or trainee, or already have an existing apprentice or trainee aged under 25. Find out more.
For further information please refer to the VET student fees price lists, eligibility criteria applies for subsidised funding. If you are unsure, please call us on 13 27 86.
This is a Fee Free TAFE course thanks to the Australian and Queensland Governments. Eligibility and conditions apply.
At CQUniversity, we believe higher education should be for everyone. No matter your situation, we know that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and we are proud to offer a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and stipends.
Our scholarships could help you pay for things like relocation, living on campus, laptops and technology, childcare, study and living expenses, travel and more.
How to apply
Step 1: Get a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
Visit usi.gov.au to create a USI or find an existing one.
Step 2: Prepare your eligibility documentation
So that we can assess your application and eligibility for Government funding options, you’ll need to upload documentation as part of your application. You will need to provide confirmation of identity with the following documentation:
- Queensland Residency and Date of Birth. (e.g. Queensland Driver’s License photo must be of the back and front of the license)
- Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency (e.g. Medicare Card or Birth Certificate)
For further information on eligible documentation, visit Apply for TAFE Certificates and Diplomas.
To fast-track your application, make sure you provide a clear photo showing all the information and upload it with your application.
Step 3: Apply Online
Our easy-to-use online application system will guide you through the process of applying for a TAFE course. If you need help along the way, call us on 13 27 86.
Click on the Apply button below to start your application.