CHC30121 - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Overview
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 course.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Study Experience
- Seamless Pathway
- Fast-Tracked Course
- Clustered Course Units
- Flexible Online Study
- On-Campus Study
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
ON CAMPUS
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.
START TAFE NOW (STN) ON CAMPUS
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.
Online
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.
START TAFE NOW (STN) Online
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.
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.
RPL Structure
Duration:RPL only - no training occurs.
RPL involves an assessment process of an individual’s previously obtained skills and knowledge that has been achieved outside the formal education and training system. The duration is dependent on evidence collection by the candidate and approval of evidence by the CQUniversity assessor.
Please refer to information on the CQUniversity website - Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit
RPL Units
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| HLTWHS001 | Participate in workplace health and safety |
| CHCPRT001 | Identify and respond to children and young people at risk |
| CHCECE055 | Meet legal and ethical obligations in children's education and care |
| BSBPEF202 | Plan and apply time management |
| CHCECE056 | Work effectively in children's education and care |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
| CHCECE054 | Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures |
| CHCECE030 | Support inclusion and diversity |
| CHCECE034 | Use an approved learning framework to guide practice |
| CHCECE037 | Support children to connect with the natural environment |
| CHCECE031 | Support children's health, safety and wellbeing |
| CHCECE032 | Nurture babies and toddlers |
| CHCECE033 | Develop positive and respectful relationships with children |
| CHCECE035 | Support the holistic learning and development of children |
| CHCECE036 | Provide experiences to support children's play and learning |
| CHCECE038 | Observe children to inform practice |
| HLTAID012 | Provide First Aid in an education and care setting |
To learn more about the course structure for this course, please visit the handbook.
Note: If minimum enrolments for class are not met, a video link will be provided to conduct training.
ON CAMPUS
| Intake | Locations |
|---|---|
| February, 2025 | On-campus, Gladstone, Rockhampton |
| March, 2025 | On-campus, Gladstone, Rockhampton |
START TAFE NOW (STN) ON CAMPUS
| Intake | Locations |
|---|---|
| February, 2025 | On-campus, Gladstone, Rockhampton |
| March, 2025 | On-campus, Gladstone, Rockhampton |
Online
| Intake | Locations |
|---|---|
| January, 2025 | Online |
| February, 2025 | Online |
| March, 2025 | Online |
| April, 2025 | Online |
| May, 2025 | Online |
| June, 2025 | Online |
| July, 2025 | Online |
| August, 2025 | Online |
| September, 2025 | Online |
| October, 2025 | Online |
| November, 2025 | Online |
| December, 2025 | Online |
Note: If minimum enrolments for class are not met, a video link will be provided to conduct training.
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, numeracy and digital literacy assessment required prior to enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher-level course. If assessment outcomes are below the required levels students will be contacted and offered assistance. This may include Foundation Skills Courses available at no cost to eligible applicants.
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.
Fees & Scholarships
Fee for Service/ Full Fee
Fee for Service/Full Fee occurs when the full tuition fee is charged to students. This may occur when the course is not included in government subsidy program/s or the student is not eligible for a government subsidy. These students are obligated to cover the entire cost. Learn more about Paying for TAFE.
Co-Contribution and Co-Contribution Concessional Fee
Some government-funded training programs, such as Certificate 3 Guarantee and Higher Level Skills, require students to contribute to the cost of their education through a co-contribution fee. This fee varies depending on the course and the student's eligibility for a concessional rate. Additional costs, such as uniforms and course resources, may also apply. More details on eligibility and exemptions can be found on How to Apply for TAFE Certificates and Diplomas.
Starting the 1st of July 2025, the Queensland Government is updating its TAFE subsidy offerings. Students commencing from this date will need to be reassessed, potentially requiring additional documentation to maintain their funding. Those who do not provide the necessary documents, or are no longer eligible, may lose their subsidy and continue as full-fee-paying students. For more information visit Paying for TAFE and review Important Changes to TAFE Subsidies from July 2025.
If you are unsure of your eligibility or wish to discuss your options further, please connect with us on 13 27 86.
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 to eligible students based on provided evidence. If you are required to pay Student Contribution Fees, you may be eligible for partial or full exemption, you can find more information on Apply for TAFE Certificates and Diplomas.
At CQUniversity, we believe that studying 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 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
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