CHC50121 - Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Version Effective: 29th of December, 2025
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. Educators at this level are responsible for designing and implementing a curriculum that meets the requirements of an approved learning framework and for maintaining compliance in other areas of the service operations. They use specialised knowledge and analyse and apply theoretical concepts to diverse work situations.  They may be responsible for supervising volunteers or other educators. To achieve this qualification, the individual must have completed a total of at least 280 hours of work in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.

Requirements - To Be Eligible

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

Entry Requirements

Entry to this qualification requires students to have successfully completed and hold a CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification.

CQUniversity requirement: completion of BKSB (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy, numeracy and digital literacy assessment before enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher-level course.

The requirement to complete vocational placement component for the duration of the qualification of 280 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia. Placement is to be organised by the student, CQUniversity will assist where required.

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 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, to what is listed on the training package, to achieve this qualification, which is inclusive of the 280 hours required for unit CHCECE048.

From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete 336 hours of Vocational Placement within this course, 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.

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
Full Fee $9,975.00 (2026)
Subsidised Full Fee $2,790.00 (2026)
Subsidised Concession Fee $1,260.00 (2026)
Fee for service per unit $665.00 (2026)
Subsidised full fee per unit $186.00 (2026)
RPL Fee for service per Unit $499.00 (2026)
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 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 CHC50121 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.

Course Structures
COURSE STRUCTURE
ONLINE

This course is delivered over a 78 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 work placement of 280 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.

From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete 336 hours of Vocational Placement within this course, which is inclusive of the 280 hours required for unit CHCECE048.

  • Online
  • Domestic
COURSE STRUCTURE
APPRENTICESHIP

This course is delivered over a 78 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 work placement of 280 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.

From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete 336 hours of Vocational Placement within this course, which is inclusive of the 280 hours required for unit CHCECE048.

  • Online
  • Domestic
COURSE STRUCTURE
RPL 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

Recognition Prior Learning only

Course Assessment Information

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

Domestic 2022 Availabilities

Online
Apprenticeship
RPL Structure

Domestic 2023 Availabilities

Online
Apprenticeship
RPL Structure

Domestic 2024 Availabilities

Online
Online
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time
December: Full Time/Part Time
Apprenticeship
RPL Structure

Domestic 2025 Availabilities

Online
Online
January: Full Time/Part Time
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
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
Apprenticeship
RPL Structure

Domestic 2026 Availabilities

Online
Online
January: Full Time/Part Time
February: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
Apprenticeship
RPL Structure
More Details