‘The great thing is that there’s an OSHC attached to almost every school, so even though I’d moved suburbs, I still had a lot of employment opportunities. I get to spend time, up to 5.5 hours a day, with children and support them to learn and grow through play.’ – Kaela
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.
Outside school hours care roles and qualifications
Educator
OSHC services employ educators with a range of qualifications.
An educator with a minimum 2-year relevant qualification (e.g. Diploma level or higher) can manage the OSHC service, plan and deliver leisure-based educational programs, and provide leadership and support to other staff. They also manage finances and administrative tasks and ensure compliance with policies and legislation.
An educator with a minimum
1-year relevant qualification (e.g. Certificate III) can works with a coordinator or nominated supervisor (service director) and help plan and deliver the service's educational program.
Depending on the number of children attending the service and ratio requirements, OSHC services may employ educators with no qualification or a qualification that is not an approved qualification.
In Queensland, there are 8 areas of study that are approved as relevant qualifications for educators working with school-age children, these are:
- early childhood education and care qualification
- behavioural science
- community services
- creative arts, fine arts, drama or music
- nursing, paramedicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, diversional therapy or speech pathology
- primary, secondary or special education
- sport and recreation
- human welfare studies and services.
Check if a qualification is on the
list of approved 2-year and 1-year relevant qualifications for working in OSHC in Queensland.
Some educator positions in OSHC will require individuals to either hold or be actively working towards
a minimum 2-year or 1-year approved relevant qualification.
Educators who are
18 years of age or older have a period of time from commencing working in an OSHC where they do not need to hold or be actively working towards any qualification:
- Where an educator’s position requires them to hold or be actively working towards a minimum 2-year relevant qualification, the educator has 6 months grace period.
- Where an educator’s position requires them to hold or be actively working towards a minimum 1-year relevant qualification, the educator has 3 months grace period.
All educators
under 18 years of age must hold or be actively working towards at least a minimum 1-year relevant qualification.
OSHC Educator Microcredential
Educators working in OSHC now have access to an OSHC Educator Microcredential – a short, certification course designed to help educator’s develop essential skills for their roles.
The Queensland Government has funded the Queensland Children’s Activities Network (QCAN) to deliver the course until June 2025, at no-cost to educators or Approved Providers. The microcredential is part of a broader range of initiatives under the Queensland Early Childhood Workforce Strategy.
For further information on the OSHC Educator Microcredential, including topics covered and delivery sessions, please visit the QCAN website.
OSHC Uplift Pilot
Small approved providers of OSHC services will be offered targeted support to build the capacity and capability of educators. QCAN will be delivering the OSHC Uplift Pilot throughout Queensland, with support tailored to meet the regional needs of services. The OSHC Uplift Pilot is another initiative of the Queensland Early Childhood Workforce Strategy.
For more information on the OSHC Uplift Pilot, please visit the QCAN website.
Contact us
Need something explained further? Please email your query to
ecec@qed.qld.gov.au.