Outside school hours care (OSHC) gives children—mostly school age—access to play and leisure-based educational programs. The programs are delivered before and after school, during school holidays and on pupil-free days.
OSHC generally operate for around 25 hours a week in schools, community centres and youth clubs.
Learn more about: working in outside of school hours care (PDF, 245KB) (DOCX, 29KB).
Roles and qualifications to work in outside school hours care
OSHC services must employ staff who hold, or are actively studying an approved qualification to comply with the
National Quality Framework. Find out more about qualifications.
There are hundreds of outside school hours care services across Queensland. These services employ thousands of people in a range of roles with varying qualifications. They include:
Assistant – no qualification
- Helps plan and organise activities.
Educator – Certificate III level qualification
Works with a coordinator or nominated supervisor (service director).
- Helps plan and deliver the service's educational program.
Educator – Diploma level or higher qualification
- Manages the outside school hours care service.
- Plans and delivers leisure-based educational programs.
- Provides leadership and support to other staff.
- Manages finances and administrative tasks.
- Ensures compliance with policies and legislation.
Learn more about: qualifications for working in outside school hours care.
Queensland outside school hours care services have specific
staffing requirements for school age care.