INTERNATIONAL

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

CRICOS Code: 111782H
National Code: CHC50121

2025 2026

Description

Further your career in early childhood education by gaining the skills and knowledge to become a team leader, director or educational leader in a range of education settings. Learn about cultural competence, health and safety, food and drink, respectful relationships, learning frameworks, holistic development, compliance, nurturing creativity, curriculum and workplace safety.

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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Note:

Some classes may be held in the evening.

Icon Legend

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 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Work Placement Duration: 280 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 280 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 Screening: Working with Children Check. International students will be required to pay for their own screenings and checks. Students will also be required to purchase a name badge for $10.

Course Notes

International students seeking admission into the packaged offer of 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
commencing the TAFE SA award. Language requirements of this program can be found on the UniSA program website - https://study.unisa.edu.au/degrees/bachelor-of-early-childhood-education-honours-ML/int
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 commencing the TAFE SA Certificate III.
*UniSA packages only available from January intake.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $7055

Semester 2

AUD $7055

Fee Totals

AUD $14110

Total Course Cost

AUD $14110

* International students will be required 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

Team leader, assistant director, director, educational leader.

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

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121)
This qualification covers cultural competence, health and safety, food and drink, respectful relationships, learning frameworks, holistic development, compliance, nurturing creativity, curriculum and workplace safety. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 12 core units and 3 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
Analyse information to inform children’s learning	75	MACML	CHCECE047
Embed environmental responsibility in service operations	73	MACMN	CHCECE049
Facilitate compliance in a children’s education and care service	110	MACMG	CHCECE044
Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing	200	MACMF	CHCECE042
Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children	60	MACMH	CHCECE045
Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children	65	MACMK	CHCECE046
Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children	55	MACME	CHCECE041
Manage team effectiveness	60	FADEM	BSBTWK502
Nurture creativity in children	80	MACLH	CHCECE043
Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum	180	MACMM	CHCECE048
Reflect on and improve own professional practice	120	CABDT	CHCPRP003
Work in partnership with children’s families	70	MACMP	CHCECE050

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Develop and implement policy	90	CABDS	CHCPOL002
Meet community information needs	70	CABDP	CHCINM002
Respond to grievances and complaints about the service	40	CACHW	CHCECE053

University Packaged Programs

If your goal is to achieve a bachelor degree in your chosen field of study, TAFE SA offers two different types of pathway to university - a University Packaged Program or Credit Transfer.

A University Packaged Program allows you to select the course and the university you wish to study at, before commencing your studies at TAFE SA.

This course is available as a University Packaged Program. This allows students to accept a joint packaged offer with a local South Australian University, and upon successful completion of TAFE SA qualification, the student is eligible for a guaranteed entry into a nominated University Program. Find out more about University Packaged Programs.

The table below shows current packages available for this course.

Institution	Course	Duration	Indicative Package Cost
	Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours)	4 years	AUD$150,950

Credit Transfer

Studying at TAFE SA is one of the easiest pathways towards a University Degree. Credit Transfer is the formal recognition that parts of a TAFE SA course are equivalent in content and level to parts of some University courses. Below are the Credit Transfer details for this course. View all TAFE SA Credit Transfer Agreements

University	University Course	Total Units in Uni Course	Credits Granted	Guaranteed Admission	Details
	Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours)	144	18

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.

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Children's Education and Care

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Description

International Applications