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Version Effective: 6th of September, 2024
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CHC30121 - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Course Details

Course Summary

This qualification reflects the role of educators in early childhood education and care who work in regulated children's education and care services in Australia. They support children's wellbeing and development in the context of an approved learning framework and within organisational policies and procedures, within the requirements of the Education and Care National Quality Framework. Attaining the required skills and knowledge of an Early Childhood educator provides you with an understanding of how to engage children in play-based learning activities, that contribute to reaching individual children's developmental milestones. 

To complete this course, students are required to undertake placement and complete a minimum of 160 hours of Vocational Placement. Students who are currently employed in a regulated early childhood service, may undertake their placement with their existing employer.

Units within the course are grouped together in clusters with each cluster having its own specific Vocational Placement hours. Placement hours completed under one cluster can be carried onto the next cluster until the minimum 160 Vocational Placement hours are met.

These Vocational Placements aim to provide students with hands-on experience and real-world exposure, complementing their academic knowledge and fostering their professional development.

Entry Requirements

CQUniversity requires:

Completion of bksb (Basic Key Skills Builder), or CSPA (Core Skills Profile for Adults) for South Australian Uni Hub students. These are online literacy and numeracy assessments required prior to enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher-level course. If assessment outcomes are below the required levels students will be contacted and offered assistance. This may include Foundation Skills Courses available at no cost to eligible applicants.

The requirement to complete vocational placement component for the duration of the qualification of minimum 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.

The requirement to successfully obtain a Working With Children Check relevant to your state in Australia.

Access to a computer, Internet and intermediate computer skills. 24 hour CQUniversity computer labs are available on selected campuses.

Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning

Students must complete a Vocational Placement and/or Work Integrated Learning as part of this qualification.

Additional information

The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within a regulated early childhood service, with a mandatory minimum vocational placement of 160 hours. Within this time allocation, students can demonstrate the required vocational placement tasks and skills for other units as required for the qualification.

Units within the course are grouped together in clusters with each cluster having its own specific Vocational Placement hours. Placement hours completed under one cluster can be carried onto the next cluster until the minimum 160 Vocational Placement hours are met.

These Vocational Placements aim to provide students with hands-on experience and real-world exposure, complementing their academic knowledge and fostering their professional development.

Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees
Full Fee $5,185.00 (2024)
$5,355.00 (2025)
Subsidised Full Fee $1,037.00 (2024)
$1,054.00 (2025)
Subsidised Concession Fee $527.00 (2024)
$527.00 (2025)
Fee for service per unit $305.00 (2024)
$315.00 (2025)
Subsidised full fee per unit $61.00 (2024)
$62.00 (2025)
RPL Fee for service per Unit $153.00 (2024)
$237.00 (2025)
For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
How to Apply Please Enquire or Apply Now
Study Area
  • Education and Humanities
Skill Area
  • Child Care
AQF Level Level 3: Certificate III

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes 		Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes 		Not Applicable

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

CHC30121 Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care is a pre-requisite to the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.  Students can further their study opportunities with unit credits towards other qualifications within CQUniversity.

Occupations include but are not limited to Early Childhood Educator in long day care services, family daycare, in-home care, pre-schools or kindergartens.

Delivery Agreement

Third-Party agreement with The MaraWay Qld group.

Course Structures

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete 15 core units
  2. Complete 2 elective units

This course has been structured into stages/clusters, with a goal of streamlining the enrolment/learning process. These Clusters have been designed as a recommended study plan to ensure all course requirements are met.

Students to follow the sequence in the course planner. If you have previously completed study you maybe eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. Cluster 8 consists of HLTAID012 and you will need to attend a CQU campus at either Cairns, Mackay or Rockhampton to complete the practical requirements for this unit. Alternatively if you are not located near one of these campuses you can complete this unit through an accredited short course at CQUniversity or an alternate RTO and apply for a credit transfer at the completion.

Training.gov.au

Study Mode Definitions

  • Online: Online courses provide the flexibility to study without normally requiring a student to visit a campus. Course content is studied through a number of means including the use of online discussion forums, electronic library resources, by contacting lecturers and teachers, and receiving study materials online/electronically. Work integrated learning, including placements, may be included in some courses.
  • On-campus: Students studying in on-campus mode typically are expected to attend and participate in regular, structured on-campus teaching and learning activities throughout the University’s academic term. These activities may include lectures, tutorials, workshops and practice, online or other activities and normally will be timetabled at a CQUniversity campus or approved delivery site.
  • Mixed Mode: Students studying in mixed mode will participate in a combination of online learning activities in addition to site-specific learning activities, which may include residential schools, co-op placements and/or work-integrated learning as a compulsory requirement of a unit. The additional site-specific learning activities are what differentiates a mixed-mode unit from an online unit.

*All study modes may include Vocational placement and/or work integrated learning.

Select a course structure below to view the delivery details, including the different study modes offered for each structure.

Please select a course structure from the options below:
ON CAMPUS
COURSE STRUCTURE

This course is delivered over a 50 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 minimum work placement of 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.

If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. 

  • On-campus
  • Domestic

STANDARD

Cluster 1: Health & Safety - Standard
Cluster 2: Legal & Ethical - Standard
Cluster 3: Effective Work Practices - Standard
Cluster 4: Culture & Community - Standard
Cluster 5: Engaging with Environments - Standard
Cluster 6: Best Practice Babies & Toddlers - Standard
Cluster 7: Play & Development - Standard
Cluster 8: First Aid - Standard

This is a test

START TAFE NOW (STN) ON CAMPUS
COURSE STRUCTURE

This course is delivered over a 50 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 minimum work placement of 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.

If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. 

  • On-campus
  • Domestic

STANDARD

Cluster 1: Health & Safety - Standard
Cluster 2: Legal & Ethical - Standard
Cluster 3: Effective Work Practices - Standard
Cluster 4: Culture & Community - Standard
Cluster 5: Engaging with Environments - Standard
Cluster 6: Best Practice Babies & Toddlers - Standard
Cluster 7: Play & Development - Standard
Cluster 8: First Aid - Standard
ONLINE
COURSE STRUCTURE

This course is delivered over a 50 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 minimum work placement of 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.

If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. 

  • Online
  • Domestic

STANDARD

Cluster 1: Health & Safety - Standard
Cluster 2: Legal & Ethical - Standard
Cluster 3: Effective Work Practices - Standard
Cluster 4: Culture & Community - Standard
Cluster 5: Engaging with Environments - Standard
Cluster 6: Best Practice Babies & Toddlers - Standard
Cluster 7: Play & Development - Standard
Cluster 8: First Aid - Standard
START TAFE NOW (STN) ONLINE
COURSE STRUCTURE

This course is delivered over a 50 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 minimum work placement of 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.

If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. 

  • Online
  • Domestic

STANDARD

Cluster 1: Health & Safety - Standard
Cluster 2: Legal & Ethical - Standard
Cluster 3: Effective Work Practices - Standard
Cluster 4: Culture & Community - Standard
Cluster 5: Engaging with Environments - Standard
Cluster 6: Best Practice Babies & Toddlers - Standard
Cluster 7: Play & Development - Standard
Cluster 8: First Aid - Standard
ON CAMPUS - THE MARAWAY QLD
COURSE STRUCTURE

This course is delivered over a 45 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. Students must complete all components of the assessment tasks within the course to be deemed competent.

Students 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 at the beginning of your study. 

 

 

 

  • On-campus
  • Domestic

MARAWAY

Cluster 1A: Health & Safety - MARAWAY
Cluster 2A: Legal & Ethical - MARAWAY
Cluster 3A: Effective Work Practices - MARAWAY
Cluster 4A: Culture & Community - MARAWAY
Cluster 5A: Engaging with Environments - MARAWAY
Cluster 6A: Best Practice Babies & Toddlers - MARAWAY
Cluster 7A: Play & Development - MARAWAY
Cluster 8A: First Aid - MARAWAY
MIXED MODE - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
COURSE STRUCTURE

This course is delivered over a 70 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 minimum work placement of 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.

If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. Students will need to provide credit for HLTAID012.

  • Mixed Mode
  • Domestic

UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC

Cluster 1C: Health & Safety - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF
Cluster 2C: Legal & Ethical - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF
Cluster 3C: Effective Work Practices - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
Cluster 4C: Culture & Community - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
Cluster 5C: Engaging with Environments - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
Cluster 6C: Best Practice - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
Cluster 7C: Play & Development - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
Cluster 8C: First Aid - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
TRAINEESHIP
COURSE STRUCTURE

This course is delivered over a 50 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.

Students 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 at the beginning of your study. 

  • Online
  • Domestic

STANDARD

Cluster 1: Health & Safety - Standard
Cluster 2: Legal & Ethical - Standard
Cluster 3: Effective Work Practices - Standard
Cluster 4: Culture & Community - Standard
Cluster 5: Engaging with Environments - Standard
Cluster 6: Best Practice Babies & Toddlers - Standard
Cluster 7: Play & Development - Standard
Cluster 8: First Aid - Standard
TRAINEESHIP - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
COURSE STRUCTURE

This course is delivered over a 70 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 minimum work placement of 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.

If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study. Please discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of your study. Students will need to provide credit for HLTAID012.

  • Mixed Mode
  • Domestic

UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC

Cluster 1C: Health & Safety - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF
Cluster 2C: Legal & Ethical - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF
Cluster 3C: Effective Work Practices - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
Cluster 4C: Culture & Community - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
Cluster 5C: Engaging with Environments - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
Cluster 6C: Best Practice - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
Cluster 7C: Play & Development - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
Cluster 8C: First Aid - UNI HUB SPENCER GULF INC
RPL STRUCTURE
COURSE STRUCTURE

RPL only - no training occurs. 

RPL involves an assessment process of an individual’s previously obtained skills and knowledge that has been achieved outside the formal education and training system. The duration is dependent on evidence collection by the candidate and approval of evidence by the CQUniversity assessor. 

Please refer to information on the CQUniversity website - Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit 

  • RPL/RCC/Credit
  • Domestic

Course Assessment Information

RPL - Students who have previous informal and formal learning need to advise their trainer/assessor prior to enrolment. If the student wishes to apply for an RPL they need to apply to the RPL Centre.
Credit transfer - If credit for relevant formal qualifications is sought, then the process will be actioned after the student has enrolled in at least one unit of competency as directed by the relevant trainer/assessor. The Trainer/Assessor will work with the student on their credit transfer application, and provide advice and support as necessary.
Assessment Types
Third Party Verification
Written/Electronic Assessment
Practical Task
RPL
Project
Other
Course Learning Outcomes
Where and when can I start?
Please view the more details information for any additional information related to this course.

Domestic 2022 Availabilities

ON CAMPUS

On-campus

Rockhampton

February: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time

Gladstone

February: Full Time/Part Time

START TAFE NOW (STN) ON CAMPUS

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Online

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

START TAFE NOW (STN) Online

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

ON CAMPUS - The MaraWay QLD

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Mixed Mode - Uni Hub Spencer Gulf Inc

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

TRAINEESHIP

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Traineeship - Uni Hub Spencer Gulf Inc

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

RPL Structure

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Domestic 2023 Availabilities

ON CAMPUS

On-campus

Rockhampton

February: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time

START TAFE NOW (STN) ON CAMPUS

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Online

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

START TAFE NOW (STN) Online

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

ON CAMPUS - The MaraWay QLD

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Mixed Mode - Uni Hub Spencer Gulf Inc

Mixed Mode
Mixed Mode includes a combination of online learning activities and compulsory site-specific attendance at residential schools and/or workshops.
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time
December: Full Time/Part Time

TRAINEESHIP

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Traineeship - Uni Hub Spencer Gulf Inc

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

RPL Structure

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Domestic 2024 Availabilities

ON CAMPUS

On-campus

Rockhampton

February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time

START TAFE NOW (STN) ON CAMPUS

On-campus

Rockhampton

February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time

Online

Online
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time
December: Full Time/Part Time

START TAFE NOW (STN) Online

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

ON CAMPUS - The MaraWay QLD

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Mixed Mode - Uni Hub Spencer Gulf Inc

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

TRAINEESHIP

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Traineeship - Uni Hub Spencer Gulf Inc

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

RPL Structure

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.
For individual class days and times for each intake please check the TAFE Timetable located here
The availabilities shown above are for the current and future years. To view any historic availabilities please press "Show Historic Availabilities" below:

Show Historic Availabilities
More Details

More Details

Enrolment Sequence 

Please refer to the VET Course Planners for further details relating to the cluster enrolment sequence of this course. The student must enrol into all units of the cluster unless they are eligible for credit transfer of any unit/s completed within another qualification. 


On-Campus Classes 

Classes are conducted one day per week, from 9:00am to 3:00pm, except public holidays and Queensland School holiday periods on the following campuses: 

  • Rockhampton North campus on a Wednesday 

  • Gladstone Marina campus on a Thursday

Note: If minimum enrolments for class are not met, a video link will be provided to conduct training. 

Compulsory Attendance Requirements

Students who are not currently working in an educational workplace must organise a voluntary work placement. All students must complete practical assessment tasks along with a vocational placement logbook. All details to complete these processes are available on Moodle. Practical assessment tasks will be observed by a qualified supervisor in the workplace holding a Diploma or higher qualification relevant to the industry placement. 


Resource Requirements

All resources for this qualification are available online through Moodle. 


Optional Attendance 

Weekly zoom session options with a teacher to assist students with their study, all details on Moodle.