Whether you are starting your career, advancing your career or considering a change, there are many pathways you can take to gain qualifications to work in the early childhood sector.
Start your studies at school
Consider launching your early childhood studies journey while still in school through Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways in Queensland!
This pathway can offer valuable insights into how you can seamlessly integrate your passion for early childhood education with your current studies.
Traineeships and VET pathways provide hands-on experience and practical skills, setting a strong foundation for a rewarding career.
School-based traineeships and apprenticeships (VET in school) that count towards your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).
You can be employed as an apprentice (Diploma) or as a trainee (Certificate III).
Registered training organisations (RTOs) deliver Certificate and Diploma level qualifications in early childhood education and care or school aged care. There are a number of RTOs delivering early childhood VET qualifications, including TAFE Queensland.
Before you enrol in a qualification at any registered training organisation, check that it is on the
ACECQA list of nationally approved early childhood qualifications.
You can also start your degree at school with
several Queensland universities offering programs to start degree subjects at school, or direct entry once you graduate from school. There are prerequisites to study teaching at university—if you are in school, this means choosing the right senior subjects.
Advancing your career
Qualified and experienced early childhood teachers can enhance their skills by participating in professional development provided by a range of educational and industry groups, and undertake further study to give yourself the flexibility and scope to move within the sector.
There are a range of supports, subsidies, financial incentives and professional development opportunities to progress your career.
Changing careers
You may not have thought about university when leaving school and have now decided to become an ECT. You can either enter through the
Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) or through the university application process at your preferred university.
You will have to talk to your university about how to manage prerequisites. Each university will be slightly different. Prerequisites for early childhood teaching include English, maths and science.
If you already hold:
- an
approved early childhood qualification, speak to a university about credit towards an early childhood teaching Bachelor Degree
- a
degree in another field or a
secondary teaching degree, you can do post-graduate studies. Check the ACECQA website for approved qualification options in masters and graduate certifications
- a
primary teaching degree, check if it is listed as an
ACECQA approved qualification. If it isn't on the list, you can enrol in post-graduate studies at a university; or
if you are a registered teacher, enrol in an approved Certificate III or higher early childhood qualification.
Teacher registration is not currently required by law to work as an ECT in Queensland, however some employers seek ECTs who are registered. The
Queensland College of Teachers can help with registration requirements.
Visit
course seeker to find a teaching qualification that is right for you.
Financial assistance
You may be eligible to enrol in early childhood qualifications and training with free or significantly reduced fees. Visit
Job Trainer Queensland and the
Queensland Skills Gateway to
check your eligibility.
The Australian Government has reduced fees significantly for eligible students undertaking education degrees through the
job-ready graduates package. Eligible students can also be assisted to pay their tuition fees upfront via a
student loan.