CHC50125 - Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

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Duration
Please refer to Course Structure below.
Location
Online
Next intake
July, 2026
Study mode
Employer Based (VET Providers Only), Online
Total units
15
OverviewStructure & AvailabilityRequirementsFees & ScholarshipsHow to Apply
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A student standing in front of the camera in a childcare room holding some blocks.

Overview

This qualification represents the role of early childhood educators working in regulated education and care services across Australia. These professionals are responsible for planning and delivering curriculum aligned with an approved learning framework, while ensuring compliance with broader service operations. They apply specialised knowledge and theoretical concepts to a variety of workplace scenarios and may also supervise other educators or volunteers. To attain this qualification, individuals must complete a minimum of 280 hours of practical experience in a regulated children’s education and care setting in Australia. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.

On completion of CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, occupations include working as an educator in long daycare centres, family daycare, pre-schools or kindergartens.

Students can also further their study opportunities with credits towards other qualifications on the CQUniversity scope of registration.

Study Experience

  • Fast-Tracked Course
  • Flexible Online Study
  • Clustered Course Units
  • Experienced Teaching Team
  • Study Now, Pay Later
  • Sheree Sarmiento
    “
    My experiences with the teaching staff at CQU is that they are very friendly and nice. They really helped me and supported me with my schoolwork and all my assessments.

    Sheree Sarmiento

    Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Career Opportunities

On completion of CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, potential career opportunities include working as an educator in long daycare centres, family daycare, pre-schools or kindergartens.

Structure & Availability

Online

Duration:
Full Time DurationPart Time Duration
48 weeks84 Weeks

This course is available to study full-time over a period of 48 weeks or part-time over a period of 84-weeks.

Students studying full-time should plan to dedicate approximately 32 hours per week to their coursework. Full-time students should enrol into two clusters at a time in the same study period.

Part-time students should expect to allocate around 19 hours per week to their coursework. Part-time students should enrol into one cluster at a time.

As this course 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 a regulated children's education and care service in Australia, with a mandatory work placement of at least 280 hours. The total number of 280 hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement of workplace hours within this qualification.

Unit CHCECE048 has a mandatory work placement of 280 hours. The total number of 280 hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirements of workplace hours within this course. Students can demonstrate the required vocational placement tasks and skills for other units as required for this course within this time allocation. From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete 336 hours of vocational placement to achieve this qualification, which is inclusive of the 280 hours.

If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study.


Apprenticeship

Duration:
Full Time DurationPart Time Duration
48 weeks84 Weeks

This course is delivered over a 78 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 work placement of 280 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.

From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete 336 hours of Vocational Placement within this course, which is inclusive of the 280 hours required for unit CHCECE048.


Online

IntakeLocations
July, 2026Online
September, 2026Online
October, 2026Online
December, 2026Online

This course has no residential schools.

The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within a regulated education and care service, with a mandatory work placement of 280 hours.

Within this time allocation, students can demonstrate the required vocational placement tasks and skills for other units as required for the qualification.

From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete additional hours of Vocational Placement (336 hours), to what is listed on the training package, to achieve this qualification, which is inclusive of the 280 hours required for unit CHCECE048.

A total number of 280 hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirements of workplace hours within this qualification.

Students are required to successfully obtain a Working with Children Check relevant to their state in Australia.

Requirements

To help us understand how best to support you, you’ll need to complete the bksb (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy, numeracy and digital literacy assessments to progress your application. Alternatively, completion of an equal or higher level course may exempt you from this testing.

Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who hold:

  • CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

OR

  • CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

OR

  • CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Alternatively, individuals may hold:

  • 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 a completed Employer Report. 

Or

  • Hold a CHCSS00147 Entry into Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

During your study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies.

Students are required to complete at least 280 hours of work in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia. CQUniversity will arrange the necessary vocational placement agreements; however, it is the responsibility of prospective students to identify a local business or organisation that will support and host them for the duration of the placement period. 

Students are required to successfully obtain a Working with Children Check relevant to their state in Australia and complete the mandatory National Child Safety training.

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.

This course is included in the Australian Government’s VET Student Loan (VSL) program, assisting eligible students pay tuition fees. Refer to the VET Student Loan webpage for more information, eligibility and census date calendar. A VET student loan gives rise to a VETSL debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.

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

Some government-funded training programs, such as Career Start and Career Boost, provide 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. Learn more about eligible courses and funding eligibility criteria by visiting Career Start or Career Boost.

Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s Funding

Free apprenticeships for under 25s covers the cost of training for employers who commence an eligible new or existing apprentice or trainee in a priority qualification. Learn more about eligible courses and funding eligibility criteria by visiting Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s.

 

Some employers may optionally choose to sponsor all or part of a student’s full fees or co-contribution fees. Please carefully consider your training options before committing to a training course, as this may exhaust your entitlement to further Queensland Government subsidised training. CQUniversity is an approved Skills Assure supplier with the Government Department of Trade, Employment and Training. 

*Nominal hours is a value assigned to a VET course or unit and nominally represents the anticipated hours of supervised training deemed necessary to conduct the training and assessment activities associated with the course or unit.

*Some qualifications require students to pay for additional items, for example, the cost of a uniform or other compulsory resources which are not included in free or subsidised enrolments. 

If you are unsure of your eligibility or wish to discuss your options further, please connect with us on 13 27 86.

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

How to Apply

Check what you need to do to apply to study this course. 

Your Application Options

Follow These Steps

  1. 1
    Check you meet the course requirements
  2. 2
    Get a Unique Student Identifier

Start Your Application

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 with your application, talk with one of our Student Advice team members by calling 13 27 86.

Related Courses

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On-campus, Online, RPL/RCC/Credit

Please refer to Course Structure below.

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This course is available to study full-time over a period of 40-weeks or part-time over a period 70-weeks. As this course 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 studying full-time should plan to dedicate approximately 21 hours per week to their coursework. Full-time students should enrol into two clusters at a time in the same study period. Part-time students should expect to allocate around 12 hours per week. Part-time students should enrol into one cluster at a time. The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within a school environment, with a mandatory work placement of at least 100 hours at either Primary or Secondary Schools. The total number of 100 hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement of workplace hours within this qualification. Individual units throughout the duration of this course require the demonstration of practical tasks, subsequently students may be required to complete 210 hours of vocational placement throughout the course duration. This is inclusive of the 100 hours required for unit CHCEDS047. Students are 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 upon admittance. Cluster 8 consists of HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting[JB1] , and you will need to attend a CQU campus at either Gladstone, Mackay or Rockhampton to complete the practical requirements for this unit. Or complete the unit HLTAID012 with another Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and submit a completed certificate to receive a credit for this unit.

Rockhampton