INTERNATIONAL

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

CRICOS Code: 111781J
National Code: CHC30121

2025 2026

Description

Like inspiring young minds? Develop the skills and knowledge you need to inspire and support children as an early childhood educator. You could work in a childcare, preschool, classroom, out-of-school-hours care or even a community education setting. The certificate III is the minimum requirement for employment in the early childhood industry.

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Example Career Profile

Print Course Page

52 weeks

40 weeks

Child Care Educator

International Applications

Campus / Location

Study Mode

Contact Hours

Study Load

Commences

Scheduled

Regency Park

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

20 hours per week

Full Time

January, July

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On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

Academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing and 6.5 in speaking and listening or equivalent.
Satisfactory completion of Year 10 or overseas equivalent .

Work Placement Duration: 168 hours

The Vocational Placement hours will be across all semesters of this course, and, depending on the location, likely be for up to 7 hours per day. Some students may be required to do more than the required hours if they cannot achieve competency (a pass grade) in the 168 hours. The Vocational Placement will be within an early childhood regulated education service which will be organised by TAFE SA staff. Prior to work placement, international students will be required to apply for and successfully receive the South Australian Department of Human Services Screenings: Working with Children Check. International students will be expected to pay for their own screenings and checks. Students will also be required to purchase a name badge for $10.

Course Notes

Students seeking a package from Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care to the Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and the Bachelor of
Early Childhood Education (Honours) are required to meet the English Language (IELTS) requirements of the Bachelor program before commending the TAFE SA Certificate III.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $7027

Semester 2

AUD $7028

Fee Totals

AUD $14055

Total Course Cost

AUD $14055

* International students will be expected to pay for their own screenings and checks. Students will also be required to purchase a name badge for $10.

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

Employment Outcomes

The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the minimum requirement for employment in the early childhood industry.

Under the Education and Care Services National Law (2011) the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has set minimum training standards for all educators who are directly working with children in Birth to Preschool age Long Day Care centres. Educators must hold or be working towards an approved Certificate III level education and care qualification (or higher). The list of approved early childhood education and care qualifications and information regarding regulatory requirements can be found here: www.acecqa.gov.au

Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

Qualifications & Skills Covered

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121)
This course provides the skills needed by educators in a range of early childhood education settings who work within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard. They support the implementation of an approved learning framework, and support children’s wellbeing, learning and development. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 15 core units and 2 elective units.

90%*
of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.

87%*
of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.

* 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

Course Units

Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

Core

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Develop positive and respectful relationships with children	100	MACKY	CHCECE033
Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures	55	MACLE	CHCECE054
Identify and report children and young people at risk	40	CACFY	CHCPRT025
Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care	60	MACLF	CHCECE055
Nurture babies and toddlers	108	MACKX	CHCECE032
Observe children to inform practice	40	MACLD	CHCECE038
Participate in workplace health and safety	20	AAFHR	HLTWHS001
Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning	75	MACLB	CHCECE036
Provide First Aid in an education and care setting	22	HABCR	HLTAID012
Support children to connect with the natural environment	50	MACLC	CHCECE037
Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing	160	MACKW	CHCECE031
Support inclusion and diversity	63	MACKT	CHCECE030
Support the holistic learning and development of children	100	MACLA	CHCECE035
Use an approved learning framework to guide practice	80	MACKZ	CHCECE034
Work effectively in children’s education and care	65	MACLG	CHCECE056

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Follow basic food safety practices	30	HAAPX	HLTFSE001
Organise personal work priorities	30	FACWW	BSBPEF301

Living in Adelaide

The city created for students

You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

A student city

Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

Safe

Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

Beach Culture

Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

Live centrally

Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

Delicious!

Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

Easy to get around

Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

Festivals

Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beautiful weather

Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.