Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Overview
9 months full time / 15 months part time
9 months
February, April, July
February, July
Make a real difference
Early childhood education and care is a rapidly growing sector, driven by population growth and a deeper understanding of the critical role early learning plays in children’s development. Demand for skilled educators continues to rise, with strong employment growth projected over the next five years.
Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121 is your pathway to a rewarding career where your passion for working with children is valued and supported. This nationally recognised qualification equips you with the practical skills and knowledge to nurture, educate, and care for young children in a variety of settings.
If you are compassionate, enjoy learning alongside children, and want to make a meaningful impact in their lives, this is the career for you.
Learn to nurture young minds
Our Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) is more than a qualification – it’s the first step toward a rewarding career where you can make a real difference in the lives of children and families.
You’ll gain the knowledge and practical skills to create safe, nurturing, and engaging environments that support children’s growth and development. From caring for babies and toddlers to encouraging creativity and play-based learning, you’ll be preparing the next generation for a bright future.
At Melbourne Polytechnic, learning goes beyond the classroom. Guided by industry-experienced teachers, you’ll gain confidence through hands-on experiences such as running playgroups, setting up play environments, preparing nutritious food, and observing children as they learn and grow.
If you’re passionate about helping children thrive and want a career filled with purpose, this course will give you the foundation to succeed in a sector that truly values your skills.
Graduate with an industry-recognised qualification
Graduates of the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121 will be ready to step into a variety of rewarding roles across the children’s services sector. You’ll be qualified to care for and educate children up to the age of six in diverse settings, helping them learn, grow, and thrive.
Career opportunities include working as an:
- Assistant Educator in Early Learning Centres and kindergartens
- Out-of-School Hours Care assistant in primary school programs
- Nanny providing personalised care for families
- Educator in occasional care programs run by leisure centres, gyms, or local councils
This qualification opens the door to a career that combines purpose, creativity, and connection, with strong demand for skilled educators now and into the future.
Career Pathways
Where will the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121 take me?
On completion, you may seek employment in the field of children's services, caring for young children up to the age of six in a variety of child care settings. Jobs include room leader, centre coordinator, or a nanny for private clients.
- Nanny providing personalised care for families
- Assistant Educator in Early Learning Centres and kindergartens
- Educator in occasional care programs run by leisure centres
- gyms
- or local councils
- Out-of-School Hours Care assistant in primary school programs
Study Pathways
Students may continue to study and enrol in our Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121 and then a Bachelor of Education (Early Years and Primary) or Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.
Course Details
Delivery methods
You must complete 160 hours of work placement, in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia, undertaken across the time you are enrolled in a regulated Early Childhood Education and Care setting.
Delivery is a combination of face-to-face classes and online learning as well as practical experience.
How you will study
Each course has a dedicated learning method that is designed to let you thrive in your studies.
On-campus
Interactive learning in a face-to-face environment. Classes will be held at a Melbourne Polytechnic campus or partner institute. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.
Assessment Methods
Assessment for each competency will be through a combination of on-the-job (practicum) and off-the-job tasks. Off-the-job assessment is a combination of class exercises, assignments and practical demonstrations.
Units of Study
The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.
| Code | Subject | Type | Hours |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people | Elective | 40 |
| CHCECE030 | Support inclusion and diversity | Core | 63 |
| CHCECE031 | Support children's health, safety and wellbeing | Core | 160 |
| CHCECE032 | Nurture babies and toddlers | Core | 108 |
| CHCECE033 | Develop positive and respectful relationships with children | Core | 100 |
| CHCECE034 | Use an approved learning framework to guide practice | Core | 80 |
| CHCECE035 | Support the holistic learning and development of children | Core | 100 |
| CHCECE036 | Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning | Core | 75 |
| CHCECE037 | Support children to connect with the natural environment | Core | 50 |
| CHCECE038 | Observe children to inform practice | Core | 40 |
| CHCECE054 | Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultures | Core | 55 |
| CHCECE055 | Meet legal and ethical obligations in children's education and care | Core | 60 |
| CHCECE056 | Work effectively in children's education and care | Core | 65 |
| CHCPRT001 | Identify and respond to children and young people at risk | Core | 40 |
| HLTAID012 | Provide First Aid in an education and care setting | Core | 22 |
| HLTFSE001 | Follow basic food safety practices | Elective | 30 |
| HLTWHS001 | Participate in workplace health and safety | Core | 20 |
Fees & Costs
| Free TAFE | Concession | Government subsidised fee | Non-subsidised fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | $0 | $1070 | $5350 | $14700 |
| Maximum annual amenities | $260 | $180 | $260 | $260 |
| Total payable | $260 | $1250 | $5610 | $14960 |
| Per semester | $9300 |
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.
Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy.
Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1st of November. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Materials
Lists of required materials, books and timetables will be provided at course induction or class enrolment by the teaching department.Fees explained
The State Government’s Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative covers the cost of tuition (excluding Amenities Fees and Materials Fees) for students who are eligible for government subsidised training and enrol into one of the Priority listed course.
Free TAFE is available to eligible students for one course enrolment in a lifetime.
Free TAFE places are limited. Please call 1300 635 276 and we can advise you whether Free TAFE places are still available.
Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative covers the cost of tuition fees for students who are eligible. Materials and amenities may still apply.
The Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative will pay your tuition fees for only one course. Once you have commenced in a tuition-free priority course, you are not eligible for further tuition-free places again, even if you do not finish your first tuition-free priority course.
The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment.
The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.
Concession fees are charged at 20 per cent of the standard fees for enrolments in Certificate I to IV courses. To be eligible students must meet Skills First eligibility criteria and present a valid:
- Commonwealth Health Care card, or
- Pensioner Concession card, or
- Any dependent spouse or dependent child of one of the above cardholders, or
- Veterans Gold card.
The following groups are eligible for concession fees from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Asylum Seekers and victims of human trafficking
Additional expenses
The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged at fifty cents (50 cents) per student contact hour and is capped over a twelve (12) month period, effective from the enrolment date, to:
- $260 for full fee-paying students; and
- $180 for concession-paying students studying Certificate I, II, III, or IV.
Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.
Education courses at Melbourne Polytechnic
Requirements
Please book in to attend an interview as this is required before you can proceed to enrol.
- You must have a current Victorian Working with Children Check to be able to complete placement requirements.
- You must be at least 17 years and 3 months of age at time of course commencement. Applicants under the age of 18 must obtain parental agreement.
- You must hold a current, cleared, National Police Check which has been cleared to be able to complete placement requirements.
People who work with children are at increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. Staff in these workplaces can also transmit vaccine-preventable diseases to the children in their care. For more information please visit the Victorian Department of Health website.
Academic: Australian Year 12 equivalency
English: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall, Pearson PTE Academic 50, or Melbourne Polytechnic recognised equivalency.
Other:
- Attend a course information interview session by the Department before an Offer can be processed. Interviews via Skype/ zoom or telephone are available for overseas or interstate applicants.
- Applicants will need to provide a current volunteer Victorian Working with Children Check (WWCC) and recent international police check to complete placement requirements.
Next Steps
The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form from the Apply Now page.
After you complete that form we will send you an email with a link to an application form webpage. If you don’t receive the email, check your spam and junk folders.
Complete the application form on the application form webpage.
You will be required to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment.
We’ll ask you to attend an interview to ensure that this is the right course for you.
Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend an enrolment appointment over the phone or on campus.
For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about Tuition Payment Plans here.
If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 1300 635 276 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.
When we receive your application, the International Office will be in contact with you shortly to discuss your application and provide you additional instructions.
If you'd like to speak to one of our International Office staff directly, call 1300 635 276
Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.