Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

You will complete a mix of self directed online study and practical placement days each week:

• Full-time: 52 weeks – about 8 hours of study per week plus 2 practical days.
• Part-time: 104 weeks – about 4 hours of study per week plus 1 practical day.

How it works:

Study hours: Your online study is self-directed, so you can complete it at times that suit you:  morning, evening, or weekends. These hours are for reading, completing activities, and online tasks.

Practical days: These are hands-on placement or work experience days. If you are already working in childcare, your workdays count as part of your practical days. If you’re doing a placement, you need to attend the required number of practical days per week.

Unit completion: Each unit is like a subject in the course. You are expected to complete about one unit per month, which helps you stay on track while balancing study with work, family, or other commitments.

Not yet working yet? don't worry, we can help you find a placement or paid role at an approved childcare service . Your trainer will organise regular video calls to support you while you get started. Click here to register your interest in a placement or paid role.

Your trainer will visit your workplace every 4–6 weeks to provide training and observe you performing practical tasks, giving you hands-on support while you study.

The rest of the course is delivered online through the Canvas learning platform, where you’ll find:

• All learning resources you need.
• Step-by-step videos showing how to complete assessments.
• All course assessments, which are completed directly on Canvas.

Not yet working yet? don't worry, we can help you find a placement or paid role at an approved childcare service . Your trainer will organise regular video calls to support you while you get started. Click here to register your interest in a placement or paid role.

To complete this course, you need at least 160 practical hours in a regulated early childhood service in Australia.

• Already working in childcare? Your current workplace counts toward your practical hours. You don’t need to go anywhere else.
• Not yet working? We can help you find a placement or paid role at an approved childcare service. Click here to register your interest in a placement or paid role.
• Trainer support: Your trainer will visit every 4–6 weeks to provide practical guidance and observe your skills.
• Workplace hours across units: The 160 hours can be spread across all units that require practical experience, helping you meet course requirements while gaining real-world skills.
• Payment: Placements are usually unpaid, unless you are already employed in childcare. In that case, your work counts toward your practical hours.

This ensures you gain hands-on experience and are fully prepared for a career in early childhood education.

It’s completely normal to feel nervous, and many students start with the same concerns. We provide lots of support to help you succeed:

• Self-paced online study: Complete your study at times that suit you, giving you space to learn at your own speed.
• Trainer support: Your trainer is available to guide you, answer questions, and provide feedback every step of the way.
• Practical guidance: During workplace visits, your trainer helps you build hands-on skills and confidence in real childcare settings.
• Encouraging environment: You’re not alone. Many students haven’t studied in years, and we focus on building your confidence while you learn.

Remember: Everyone progresses differently, and small steps add up. With the right support, you can successfully complete your qualification and gain the skills to work in early childhood education.

• People starting their career in early childhood education
• School leavers or career changers
• Those already working in a centre who need formal qualification
• Anyone wanting a nationally recognised Certificate III to meet ACECQA requirements

• Supporting behaviour and wellbeing
• Providing care routines and safe environments
• Child development and learning
• Cultural diversity and inclusion
• Workplace safety and legal obligations
• Child health and first aid (HLTAID012)
• Documentation, observation and planning
• Effective communication and teamwork

From this course, you'll learn how to: 

• Support children’s health, safety, and wellbeing
• Foster and guide children’s play and learning
• Develop positive and respectful relationships with children and families
• Promote and support cultural competence and inclusion
• Implement approved learning frameworks
• Observe, document, and plan for children’s development
• Participate in workplace health and safety and legal compliance

• Qualified trainer support with regular workplace visits.
• Nationally recognised certificate
• Access to Canvas, our learning management system
• Practical experience through workplace hours (minimum 160 hours)

• No formal prior study needed
• Basic literacy, numeracy, and digital skills are required
• Access to a regulated education and care service to complete placement
• Access to computer and internet connection is essential for learning materials, assessments, and submissions

We are approved to deliver training in the following regions:

• Brisbane
• Cairns
• Central Queensland
• Darling Downs – Maranoa
• Gold Coast
• Ipswich
• Logan – Beaudesert
• Moreton Bay – North

This does not mean we run in-person classes in these locations. If you live or work in one of these regions, you can enrol in this course and study via blended or external delivery, as outlined on this page.

17 units

• CHCECE030 Support inclusion and diversity
• CHCECE031 Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing
• CHCECE032 Nurture babies and toddlers
• CHCECE033 Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
• CHCECE034 Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
• CHCECE035 Support the holistic learning and development of children
• CHCECE036 Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning
• CHCECE037 Support children to connect with the natural environment
• CHCECE038 Observe children to inform practice
• CHCECE054 Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures
• CHCECE055 Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care
• CHCECE056 Work effectively in children’s education and care
• CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
• HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
• HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
• CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
• HLTFSE001 Follow basic food safety practices

It’s not like school — there are no exams. Skills are checked through quizzes, written tasks such as reports or reflections, projects like planning activities or events, role plays that practise real-life scenarios, workplace observations, and feedback from supervisors or mentors.

Depending on the location, state government programs may help cover training costs to make them cheaper or even free. Programs like Queensland Career Start, NSW Smart & Skilled, SA WorkReady, and traineeships provide this support.

For example, some or all course fees may be covered by government, funding which means paying less overall. To check eligibility for this funding, please scroll down.

If funding isn’t available, ACCCO offers flexible payment options, including:

• Credit card
• Direct debit
• Payment plans

• Early Childhood Educator
• Family Day Care Educator
• Nanny
• Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Assistant
• Playgroup Supervisor
• Childcare Assistant / Childcare Worker

Finishing this course opens the door to starting the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care