What it actually takes to become an Early Childhood Teacher in Australia
Median $99,112 a year. Four ways in, taught at 14 Australian institutions — what each route costs and what the work is really like.
What the job actually is
Early childhood teaching is not babysitting with a degree. Early childhood teachers plan and lead learning for children from birth to about five, in preschools, kindergartens and long day care centres, and they are trained to understand how young children develop language, thinking and social skills. The work is playful, but it is planned, observed and documented against a national framework. Opinion
Long day care centres
The largest employer, with children from babies to school age; services must employ degree-qualified teachers based on how many children they care for. Estimate
Preschools and kindergartens
Programs for the year or two before school, run by community organisations, schools or state governments. Estimate
Schools
Some early childhood teachers with birth-to-eight qualifications teach in the first years of primary school. Estimate
Family support and early intervention
Programs supporting families and children with additional needs. Estimate
Specialties
Preschool and kindergarten teaching
Teaching children in the year or two before school. Estimate
Babies and toddlers
Leading learning programs for under-threes in long day care. Estimate
Educational leadership
Leading a centre's curriculum and mentoring other educators. Estimate
Inclusion support
Supporting children with disability or additional needs. Estimate
Centre director
Running a service, including staff, families, compliance and budgets. Estimate
A week, not a day
There is no typical day. There is a typical week, and it is uneven by design.
| Block | Roughly | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching and play-based learning | 55% | Leading activities, small groups and routines with children. |
| Observation and documentation | 15% | Recording children's learning against the national framework. |
| Planning | 10% | Preparing programs based on what children are interested in and ready for. |
| Families and colleagues | 10% | Talking with parents and leading other educators. |
| Compliance and routines | 10% | Health, safety and regulatory requirements, plus nappy changes, meals and rest. |
Is it right for you?
An honest self-test. The filter is rarely passion — everyone has that.
Strong signs of fit
- You enjoy young children and have endless patience. Opinion
- You are interested in how children learn and develop. Opinion
- You like working with families as well as children. Opinion
Warning signs
- You want school-teacher pay in every setting. Pay in long day care is often lower than in schools. Opinion
- You dislike documentation. Recording children's learning is required. Opinion
- You get sick easily. Young children share every virus going. Opinion
- You want quiet. The work is loud, physical and busy. Opinion
Soft skills
- Patience
- Communication with families
- Observation
- Teamwork
Technical skills
- Child development
- Play-based curriculum planning
- The national early years framework
- Inclusive practice
- Child protection
Demand, pay and the next twenty years
What changes over the next twenty years
- Expanded funded preschool for three- and four-year-olds is likely to increase demand for teachers. Forecast
- Pay gaps between childcare and schools may narrow with wage decisions and government funding. Forecast
- Workforce shortages are likely to continue in regional areas. Forecast
A large, fast-growing, mostly female profession
About 2,700 extra early childhood teachers were employed over the last year. Verified fact
Qualifications are approved nationally; teacher registration varies by state
Early childhood teaching degrees must be approved by the national quality authority. Estimate
Approval and registration
Services count only teachers with a qualification approved by the national education and care regulator, ACECQA, so check approval before enrolling. Estimate
Several states also require early childhood teachers to be registered or accredited as teachers, so requirements differ by state. Estimate
Every route in
Tap a route to open it. The tag shows how commonly that route actually delivers the target role — not how hard the study is.
- Complete an approved four-year early childhood education or teaching degree, birth to five or birth to eight. Estimate
- Register or accredit as a teacher where your state requires it. Estimate
- Many teachers start as diploma-qualified educators, then complete a degree with credit while working. Estimate
- Birth-to-twelve or early childhood and primary degrees qualify you for both preschools and primary schools. Estimate
- A two-year Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) for people with another degree. Estimate
The sequence that actually matters
The qualification varies wildly across people who reach this role. The sequence barely varies at all.
| Stage | Typical age | What you are buying | How people get stuck here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approved degree | 18 to 22 | A qualification services can count | Enrolling in a course that is not approved. |
| Placements | 19 to 22 | Supervised teaching with babies, toddlers and preschoolers | Not budgeting for unpaid placement blocks. |
| First teaching role | 22 to 24 | Experience and full teacher registration where required | Choosing a service with poor support for new teachers. |
| Leadership | 25 to 35 | Educational leader or director roles | Moving into management before you are ready. |
Pathways compared
Compare them on what they cost you, not just where they end. The last column matters most — it is where the pathway leaves you if the target role never arrives.
| Pathway | Live example | Years | Study cost | Difficulty | Biggest risk | If it doesn’t work out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 12 to early childhood degree | A common route Estimate | 4 years Estimate | About $19,600 at the 2027 education rate, deferrable Estimate | Moderate | Finding pay lower than expected in some settings | Primary teaching with further study, family support, policy |
| Diploma, then degree while working | Very common in the sector Estimate | 5 to 6 years Estimate | Diploma fees plus the degree, often with employer support Estimate | Long but paid | Slower progress | A paid educator role throughout |
Experience that runs alongside study
This matters more than marks. Every one of these is available before you graduate.
Professional experience placements
Mandatory teaching placements; eligible students on teaching placements can receive the Commonwealth Prac Payment, $338.60 a week in 2026. Verified fact
Childcare work
Casual work as an educator gives experience and income. Estimate
Early Childhood Australia membership
The peak body runs events, publications and student membership. Estimate
Local early childhood networks
Regional networks of services share jobs and professional learning. Estimate
Approval matters more than reputation
Services must count approved qualifications. Estimate
Before enrolling
Check the course is an approved early childhood teaching qualification. Estimate
If you might want to teach in primary schools later, consider a birth-to-eight or combined degree. Opinion
Where you can study this
Two questions decide this table: do you want a specialist network from year one, or maximum optionality if you leave the field?
| Institution | State | Course | Selection rank | Duration | Study modes | Placement | What it’s good at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avondale University Cooranbong | NSW | Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)(Birth - 5 Years) | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 4 years | full-time | The register records 760 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 760 hours Verified fact | A small university with a birth-to-five focus. Opinion |
| CIHE Australia Belconnen | NSW | Bachelor of Education ((Early Childhood) (Birth to Five)) | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 4 years | full-time | The register records 600 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 600 hours Verified fact | A private provider; confirm approval before enrolling. Opinion |
| Excelsia University College Pennant Hills | NSW | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 4 years | full-time | The register records 640 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 640 hours Verified fact | A private provider with a birth-to-five program. Opinion |
| Lincoln Education Australia Sydney | NSW | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 3 years | full-time | The register records 700 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 700 hours Verified fact | A private provider's three-year degree; confirm approval before enrolling. Opinion |
| National Academy of Professional Studies Melbourne | NSW | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 4 years | full-time | The register records 640 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 640 hours Verified fact | A private provider; confirm approval before enrolling. Opinion |
| Proteus Technologies Adelaide | NSW | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 4 years | full-time | The register records 640 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 640 hours Verified fact | A private provider; confirm approval before enrolling. Opinion |
| Technical and Further Education Commission Cardiff | NSW | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5) | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 4 years | full-time | The register records 805 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 805 hours Verified fact | TAFE NSW's degree, a natural next step for diploma-qualified educators. Opinion |
| Victoria University Fortitude Valley | NSW | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 3 years | full-time | The register records 510 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 510 hours Verified fact | A three-year program; the register also lists a four-year leadership degree. Opinion |
| University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs | QLD | Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 4 years | full-time | The register records 874 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 874 hours Verified fact | The register records 874 hours of required work component. Opinion |
| Adelaide University Adelaide | SA | Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 3 years | full-time | The register records 640 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 640 hours Verified fact | South Australia's early childhood teaching degree; a separate birth-to-five degree is also on the register. Opinion |
| Box Hill Institute Box Hill | VIC | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 4 years | full-time | The register records 608 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 608 hours Verified fact | A dual-sector provider with links to its diploma. Opinion |
| Holmesglen Glen Waverley | VIC | Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 4 years | full-time | The register records 1050 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 1050 hours Verified fact | The register records 1,050 hours of required work component, the highest in this list. Opinion |
| Melbourne Polytechnic Preston | VIC | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 3 years | full-time | The register records 646 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 646 hours Verified fact | A dual-sector provider's three-year degree. Opinion |
| Southern Cross Education Institute (Higher Education) Adelaide | VIC | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education | Not verified for this edition — confirm with your state admissions centre Estimate | 4 years | full-time | The register records 600 hours of required work component for this course, so there is a placement or practical element inside the degree. 600 hours Verified fact | A private provider; confirm approval before enrolling. Opinion |
Postgraduate study
Usually a mid-career decision, not a next step. The honest question is whether it adds anything your first three jobs would not.
Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)
Worth it for graduates of another degree. Not a shortcut for school leavers. Opinion
14 providers on the register, and many universities that are not
The table below is built from the CRICOS register, not from memory. Verified fact
How to read this table
Institution names, course names, campuses, durations and work hours are copied from the CRICOS register. Verified fact
CRICOS lists courses open to international students, so a domestic-only course will not appear here even if it is well established. Opinion
This register is dominated by private colleges and TAFEs because most universities offer early childhood degrees only to domestic students. The university options listed by admissions centres below are just as real. Opinion
0 of 14 institutions carry a real, dated selection rank from UAC or TISC. Ranks published for a different course or an unidentifiable campus were not reused; the rest read not verified. Opinion
Admissions centres also list these courses that are not in this field of the register: Macquarie University, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), 86.20; University of Sydney, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), 77.55; Western Sydney University, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), 70.00, indicative only; Curtin University, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education), TISC 70.00; Edith Cowan University, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies), TISC 70.00; Murdoch University, Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood and Primary Teaching, TISC 70.00. Verified fact
The gates
What actually stands between you and a place. Where a gate does not apply, that is stated rather than omitted — an absent requirement is decision-relevant information.
Adjustment and access schemes
Points added to a raw rank. These are systematically under-claimed relative to eligibility — check every one.
Educational access schemes
Adjustments for students affected by financial hardship, illness, caring duties or disrupted schooling, applied for through your state admissions centre. Many eligible students never apply. Estimate
Rural and regional adjustments
Points added for applicants from regional areas, especially at regional universities. Estimate
Early entry
Offers made before results are released. Applications usually open around August and cost nothing.
Schools recommendation and early offer schemes
Offers based on Year 11 results and school recommendations, made before ATARs are released. Applications usually open around August of Year 12. Estimate
Alternative and back-door entries
No rank closes most careers. It only changes the first two years.
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Many universities give credit for the diploma, shortening the degree. Estimate
Mature-age entry
Adults can apply on work experience or prior study. Estimate
Pathway programs
University preparation programs for students without an ATAR. Estimate
Graduate-entry master's
For people with another degree. Estimate
Which route is realistic depends on your selection rank, whether you already hold a diploma, your state and your budget; a personalised plan can work through that with you. Opinion
Subject selection — General advice for all states; check your state's subject names
Take these
- English. Opinion
- Maths, because teaching degrees often require a minimum standard. Opinion
- Psychology or child studies if available. Opinion
Think twice about
- Avoiding maths completely; literacy and numeracy tests apply to many teaching degrees. Opinion
Money to help you get there
Far more scholarship money is offered than is claimed. Rounds close early, often in September.
Commonwealth Prac Payment
A means-tested weekly payment for eligible students on mandatory teaching placements, paid through the university. Verified fact
State early childhood teaching scholarships
Several state governments fund scholarships to grow the early childhood teacher workforce. Estimate
Indigenous scholarships
Scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in teaching degrees. Estimate
University equity scholarships
Means-tested scholarships offered by every university to students from low-income, regional or disadvantaged backgrounds. Estimate
Entry is moderate; approval and checks matter most
Published ranks are mostly in the 70s and 80s. Opinion
Before you apply
You will need a Working with Children Check before placements. Estimate
Ask whether your diploma gives credit, if you have one. Opinion
General information only — not financial advice
The figures in this section are indicative estimates only and are general in nature. They are modelled from published rates and typical costs, and they take no account of your personal objectives, financial situation or needs.
They are not quotes, and they are not a projection of what you personally will pay or earn. Course fees, indexation rates, salaries and repayment thresholds all change.
Before you act on any of it, speak to a qualified financial adviser about your own circumstances, and confirm course costs and fees directly with the institution and your state admissions centre.
What it actually costs
Set your own situation. Everything updates live, and every figure is calculated in your browser from the assumptions listed below — none of it is a number quoted at you.
Every line, three ways
Minimum, average and premium. The deferrable column is the one most people misread — a deferred cost is repaid through the tax system, not paid up front.
| Cost | Minimum | Average | Premium | Deferrable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student contribution (tuition) Education units are capped at $4,908 per full-time year in 2027. The minimum column is three years with diploma credit, the others four. Verified fact | $14,724 | $19,632 | $19,632 | Yes |
| Student services and amenities fee Capped at $386 a year for full-time students in 2027 and deferrable through SA-HELP. Verified fact | $1,158 | $1,544 | $1,544 | Yes |
| Checks and first aid Working with Children Check, first aid and police checks. Estimate | $150 | $250 | $400 | No |
| Laptop and technology A standard laptop is enough. Estimate | $900 | $1,200 | $2,000 | No |
| Textbooks and resources Texts and teaching resources; many are in the library. Estimate | $600 | $1,200 | $2,000 | No |
| Living costs while studying Zero if living at home for the whole degree; the average column assumes moving out for about two years, the premium column for all 4. Estimate | $0 | $30,000 | $88,000 | No |
Return and assumptions
What these numbers assume
A graduate starting salary of $78,000, within the range for early childhood teachers across settings and states. Estimate
Compulsory HELP repayments start at $69,528 of repayment income in 2026-27, at 15 cents per dollar above that threshold, so early repayments are a small share of salary. Verified fact
Lifetime earnings assume long-run pay growth of 2.5 per cent a year over 40 years. A projection, not a promise. Forecast
Tuition and the amenities fee can be deferred through HECS-HELP and SA-HELP and repaid through the tax system once income passes the threshold. Verified fact
Eligible students can receive the Commonwealth Prac Payment during mandatory teaching placements. Estimate
Many students work as casual educators while studying. Estimate
One of the cheapest degrees to study
The education student contribution is low, and casual work is easy to find. Opinion
The verdict
Several ways of asking “which is best”, answered separately — because the best pathway depends entirely on what you are optimising for.
Best value
An approved four-year degree combined with casual educator work
Low fees, paid experience and strong demand make this good value. Opinion
Which one is yours depends on your selection rank · approval of the course
Fastest
A degree with credit for a completed diploma
Diploma credit can cut a year or more. Opinion
Which one is yours depends on whether you hold a diploma
Most prestigious
An early childhood degree at a research-intensive university
Useful for policy and research careers; services mostly check approval and experience. Opinion
Which one is yours depends on your selection rank · which state you can study in
Lowest cost
A diploma first, then a degree with employer support
Earning throughout and receiving credit lowers the total cost. Opinion
Which one is yours depends on whether your employer supports study
Best long-term return
A birth-to-eight or combined degree, then leadership
Wider qualifications open better-paid school and leadership roles. Opinion
Which one is yours depends on which settings you want to work in
Best for mature-age students
Part-time diploma-to-degree study with employer support
The sector is built for people who study while working. Opinion
Which one is yours depends on your current qualifications · your work hours
Best for career changers
A graduate-entry master's in early childhood teaching
Two years for people with another degree. Opinion
Which one is yours depends on your first degree
Get your personalised plan
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Your action plan
Concrete, dated and checkable. Tick these off as you go — your progress is saved in this browser.
This year
First three years
By five years
By ten years
Decision points and contingencies
The last column is the useful one. A plan with no fallback is a wish.
| Decision point | When | Preferred move | If that’s unavailable |
|---|---|---|---|
| University offer round | December to January of Year 12 | An approved early childhood degree | Start a diploma and move into the degree with credit. Estimate |
| Birth to five or birth to eight | Before enrolling | Choose based on whether you might teach in schools | A birth-to-five degree can be extended later with further study. Estimate |
| First job | Final year | A service with mentoring | Regional services often offer incentives and quick responsibility. Estimate |
| Leadership | Five years in | Educational leader or director | Specialist roles in inclusion or early intervention offer another direction. Estimate |
If the whole pathway closes
If teaching does not suit you, the degree leads to family support, early intervention, policy and further study in primary teaching or psychology. Estimate
Mistakes to avoid
The most common
- Enrolling in a course that is not approved. Opinion
- Expecting school-teacher pay in every setting. Opinion
- Not budgeting for placements. Opinion
And the less obvious
- Choosing birth-to-five when you might want to teach in schools later. Opinion
- Burning out from long shifts without support. Opinion
What to read, watch and do
Generic to the career, not to you — start anywhere. Most of these cost nothing.
Early Childhood Australia
The peak body for early childhood education, with publications and events. Estimate
Australasian Journal of Early Childhood
The main Australian research journal for early childhood education. Estimate
First aid, asthma and anaphylaxis training
Required to work in education and care services. Opinion
Commonwealth Prac Payment
Weekly support for eligible students on mandatory teaching placements. Verified fact
The national early years learning framework
The framework every service teaches to; reading it shows what the job involves. Opinion
A growing profession with strong demand and modest pay
Early childhood teaching suits patient people who enjoy young children and families. Opinion
Study is cheap and jobs are plentiful. Pay depends heavily on the setting, so research preschool, school and long day care options before you choose. Opinion