Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 75% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.
This Free TAFE course is in high demand. Apply early for a better chance of securing your place in it. Otherwise, you may have to wait for the next intake.
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Duration
6 Month/s
Intakes
Hawthorn (March, August) - View application and start dates
CRICOS code
085267C
Fees
A$8400 (total for 2021)*
The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.


Study this course for low-fee or free in 2021
You could have some or all your tuition fees covered in 2021.
Free TAFE for Priority Courses is available if you are under 20 years old, or enrolling in a course at a higher level than you have completed before.
But, the best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Current work placement is 120 hours over the course duration.
This qualification reflects the role of workers in a range of early childhood education settings who work within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard. These support the implementation of an approved learning framework, and support children's well-being. Depending on the setting, educators may work under direct supervision or autonomously.
Students who successfully complete Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care can apply for the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113) and may be eligible for credits towards this qualification.
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Course structure
- On-campus classes combined with work placement.
- Current work placement is 120 hours over the course duration.
- Students may be required to attend one Saturday workshop to complete the compulsory First Aid unit.
- Variation of above.
- Students may be required to attend one Saturday workshop to complete the compulsory First Aid unit.
Units of study
Ensure the health and safety of children (CHCECE002)
Provide care for children (CHCECE003)
Promote and provide healthy food and drinks (CHCECE004)
Provide care for babies and toddlers (CHCECE005)
Develop positive and respectful relationships with children (CHCECE007)
Use an approved learning framework to guide practice (CHCECE009)
Provide emergency first aid response in an education and care setting (HLTAID004)
Identify and respond to children and young people at risk (CHCPRT001)
Participate in workplace health and safety (HLTWHS001)
Support the holistic development of children in early childhood (CHCECE010)
Provide experiences to support children's play and learning (CHCECE011)
Use information about children to inform practice (CHCECE013)
Work in partnership with families to provide appropriate education and care for children (CHCECE026)
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives

Professional recognition
Pathways and scholarships
- Scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements, English language requirements and course prerequisites.
Free TAFE! You could have your tuition fees for this course covered in 2020 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative. Find out about your eligibility for Free TAFE.
Course fees
Students holding an international student visa are required to study full-time and on campus. Due to government regulations, industry-based learning (IBL) and work placement are not available to onshore international students unless it is a compulsory component of the program. Programs that are taught solely online are not available to onshore international students who hold an international student visa.
Entry requirements
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) can now be done on campus in Hawthorn at Room 132, Building TD. Book now or call +61 3 9214 3584 for more information.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- Swinburne's English for Academic Purposes (EAP 4 Upper Intermediate level) with overall 65%, all skills 60%
- minimum IELTS overall band of 5.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 5.0
- TOEFL iBT (internet-based) minimum score of 65 with no band less than 15
- Pearson (PTE) minimum score of 42 (no communicative skills less than 36)
- any other equivalent assessment of English language proficiency.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Prerequisites
- Please note all students must have a valid Australian Police Check and a valid Australian Working with Children Check or be prepared to obtain these prior to placements.
- It is essential that each student is able to perform all physical activities linked to the unit, Provide emergency first aid response in an education and care setting (HLTAID004). This is a required unit that must be completed to qualify for the award. To complete this unit students must be able to perform life support skills such as administering CPR for two minutes to a mannequin on the floor on more than one occasion. It is mandatory to be able to do this task in order to achieve this unit.
How to apply
Find out more
Tel: +61 3 9214 8444 (outside Australia)
Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059