Primary Trained Teachers in Children's Services

ACCCO offers a bridging program for people holding Primary Qualifications who wish to obtain a Certificate III or Diploma of Children's Services. This program recognises previous study in the areas which are common between working with middle childhood and early childhood, and any shared legislation.

What is involved in obtaining a Certificate III?
* 10 units of study relating to working with children under 5 (with an emphasis on working with babies and toddlers), and legislation specific to working in children's services and younger age groups.

What is involved in obtaining a Diploma of Children's Services?
* Meet the requirements described above for a Certificate III
* 11 units at Diploma level cover specifics of working with children under 5, in areas relating to curriculum development.

Can I RPL the units for a Certificate III or Diploma?
Yes, providing you have the knowledge and experience to complete the RPL process. For more information on RPL, please see here.

What are the pre-requisite requirements for enrolling in the bridging program?
* a Primary Teaching qualification completed in Australia during 1991 or later
* Teacher registration in any State/Territory of Australia
* a current First Aid Certificate

How do I enrol?
1. Download the enrolment form from our downloads page
2. Complete the form and sign in the back page
3. Attach certified copies of documents requested on the enrolment form. Please also include a cerified copy of your Primary Teacher Quailification and Teacher registration.
4. Return the form to us along with the enrolment fee and cost of the first unit

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Certificate III seems so basic - after all I am a teacher. Why can't I just get credit for this?
Working in Primary school is very different to working with young children. While there are shared knowledge/skill areas (including responding to child abuse, working with culturally diverse families), there is much more focus on provision of quality care and knowledge of early childhood practice within the children's services field.

Certificate III ensures you are able to complete tasks such as changing nappies, preparing expressed breast milk and completing hygiene tasks according to NHMRC standards; working with babies and toddlers such as behaviour management strategies, provision of care and attachment. There is also significant differences in legislation too such as what is involved in the National Quality Framework and also WHS standards for working with very young children eg lifting and carrying babies, use of infant equipment. These and many more areas are not included in a primary teacher's role or previous education but are essential requirements for children's services qualifications.

Our qualifications bridge the areas between what you already know from your primary teaching qualifications and what you need to know for working in children's services.

22 units still sounds like alot to complete a Diploma when I am already a teacher. Surely there is more I can get credit for?
Please remember working in primary school is very different to working with young children. Normally it would take 33 units to complete a Diploma, and it has been identified that 11 of these units can be credited. At Diploma level, you will be learning to modify/adapt the teaching strategies you used with older children to work in the early childhood field. You will also need to know how to meet the requirements for record keeping under the National Quality Framework and Standards. Furtheremore, an indepth knowledge of child development from babies to 5 year olds is requried for working in this area.

What if I need more information?
For more information, please contact ACCCO on (07) 3257 1972 or email