CHC50125 - Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Version Effective: 1st of June, 2026

Course Details

Course Summary

This qualification represents the role of early childhood educators working in regulated education and care services across Australia. These professionals are responsible for planning and delivering curriculum aligned with an approved learning framework, while ensuring compliance with broader service operations. They apply specialised knowledge and theoretical concepts to a variety of workplace scenarios and may also supervise other educators or volunteers. To attain this qualification, individuals must complete a minimum of 280 hours of practical experience in a regulated children’s education and care setting in Australia. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.

On completion of CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, occupations include working as an educator in long daycare centres, family daycare, pre-schools or kindergartens.

Students can also further their study opportunities with credits towards other qualifications on the CQUniversity scope of registration.

Requirements - To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.

Entry Requirements

To help us understand how best to support you, you’ll need to complete the bksb (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy, numeracy and digital literacy assessments to progress your application. Alternatively, completion of an equal or higher level course may exempt you from this testing.

Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who hold:

  • CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

OR

  • CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

OR

  • CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Alternatively, individuals may hold:

  • Hold an Australian Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

Or

  • An Australian Diploma or Certificate III in Children’s Services. 

And 

  • Demonstrate at least 12 months of cumulative employment (full-time equivalent) within the last 5 years in a regulated education and care service in Australia, supported by a completed Employer Report

Or

  • Hold a CHCSS00147 Entry into Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

During your study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies.

Students are required to complete at least 280 hours of work in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia. CQUniversity will arrange the necessary vocational placement agreements; however, it is the responsibility of prospective students to identify a local business or organisation that will support and host them for the duration of the placement period. 

Students are required to successfully obtain a Working with Children Check relevant to their state in Australia and complete the mandatory National Child Safety training.

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 education and care service, with a mandatory work placement of 280 hours.

Within this time allocation, students can demonstrate the required vocational placement tasks and skills for other units as required for the qualification.

From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete additional hours of Vocational Placement (336 hours), to what is listed on the training package, to achieve this qualification, which is inclusive of the 280 hours required for unit CHCECE048.

A total number of 280 hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirements of workplace hours within this qualification.

Students are required to successfully obtain a Working with Children Check relevant to their state in Australia.

VET Student Loan Information

VET Student Loans may be available for eligible students in approved Diploma level qualifications. The loan can be used towards Tuition Fees only and does not cover additional expenses such as textbooks, uniforms, equipment, travel, tools, and accommodation or general living expenses. Loan limits or caps may apply for some eligible courses and where a loan limit is reached for a course, students may be required to pay upfront for any remaining units.

For more information or to check your eligibility for a VET Student Loan, please visit our VET Student Loans webpage or contact us .

Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
How to Apply Please Enquire
Study Area
  • Education and Humanities
Skill Area
  • Child Care
AQF Level Level 5: Diploma

Admission Codes

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

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

On completion of CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, potential career opportunities include working as an educator in long daycare centres, family daycare, pre-schools or kindergartens.

Course Structures
COURSE STRUCTURE
ONLINE

This course is available to study full-time over a period of 48 weeks or part-time over a period of 84-weeks.

Students studying full-time should plan to dedicate approximately 32 hours per week to their coursework. Full-time students should enrol into two clusters at a time in the same study period.

Part-time students should expect to allocate around 19 hours per week to their coursework. Part-time students should enrol into one cluster at a time.

As this course 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 a regulated children's education and care service in Australia, with a mandatory work placement of at least 280 hours. The total number of 280 hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement of workplace hours within this qualification.

Unit CHCECE048 has a mandatory work placement of 280 hours. The total number of 280 hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirements of workplace hours within this course. Students can demonstrate the required vocational placement tasks and skills for other units as required for this course within this time allocation. From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete 336 hours of vocational placement to achieve this qualification, which is inclusive of the 280 hours.

If you have previously completed study, you may be eligible to receive a credit towards your study.

  • Employer Based (VET Providers Only)
  • Online
  • Domestic

Enrolment Guidance:

  • All clusters must be completed in sequential order
    • Part-time students - enrol into one full cluster at a time.
    • Full-time students - enrol into two full clusters at a time in the same study period.
  • Partial cluster enrolment is only possible if credit has been awarded for the other unit/s in the cluster.

Course Assessment Information

Assessment Types
Written/Electronic Assessment
Practical Task
Third Party Verification
Project
RPL
Other
Course Learning Outcomes
Where and when can I start?

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