Photo caption: TAFE SA students and educator, TAFE SA Victor Harbor Campus

Traineeships are a positive way to grow your workforce by attracting new staff to your centre and upskilling existing staff. For Early Childhood Education and Care services, traineeships are more than a recruitment option, they are a workforce strategy. They help services bring new people into early childhood education, build skills from within, support career progression and create pathways for future educators, room leaders and service leaders.

Workforce growth via traineeships has been limited in some states due to several factors including a lack of information about how traineeships work, being able to understand and navigate the system and where to go to get assistance.

The difference and benefits between a traineeship and standard study

The key difference between a traineeship and standard study is that the trainee is employed under a training contract, learning is formally connected to the workplace, a wage is paid and there is a requirement for the employer to release the trainee from normal work duties to complete training. Through a traineeship, the hours required for work placement are completed as part of normal work hours and the trainee is counted in educator to child ratios as long as they are actively working towards their qualification.

Employing trainees helps build a custom-trained workforce to match your centres requirements and culture. It also improves staff loyalty, boosts employee motivation and provides the opportunity for leadership growth as existing staff mentor trainees.

Traineeships allow trainees to build skills on the job while completing their nationally recognised qualification with support from their employer and training provider. Trainees can also bring fresh energy and new ideas that improve team performance.

Feedback from the Centre of Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care’s Diploma traineeship pilot indicates that traineeships are positively impacting trainees, workplace mentors and centres. Leadership development in trainees is emerging earlier than expected, with mentors reporting observable changes in practice, not just increased knowledge.

Types of traineeships

There are two national traineeship qualifications available that are relevant to the Early Childhood Education and Care sector: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care [CHC30125] and the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care [CHC50125]. 
The duration of both traineeships will vary depending on factors such as employment hours, study load, prior experience, and the time needed to demonstrate competency in the workplace. As a trainee there is the requirement of being employed for a minimum of 15 hours per week.
A traineeship in Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care [CHC30125] is an entry level qualification with a duration of 12 to 18 months, with the trainee counted in educator to child ratios.
For further details, see the National Training Register - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care [CHC30125]

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care [CHC50125] traineeship is aimed at assisting employers to give their employees the opportunity to further their careers in early childhood education by gaining the skills and knowledge to become a Director, Team Leader or Educational Leader. The duration of the traineeship is 12 to 30 months. The Diploma qualification may also be used for credit towards an Early Childhood Teacher qualification. A prerequisite is completion of the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care [CHC30125], or equivalent.
For further details, see the National Training Register - CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Assistance in setting up a traineeship

There are Apprentice Connect Australia Providers (ACAP) in every state funded by the Commonwealth Government to support employers and trainees through the process of setting up a traineeship. The ACAP help explain the Australian Traineeship/Apprenticeship system, undertake pre-commencement assessments, support the sign-up process, assist with the training contract, and provide ongoing mentoring and support throughout the traineeship. They can also assist you in finding a trainee if you do not already have a suitable educator. 

To contact a local ACAP please refer to the following link,  Apprentice Connect Australia Provider | Australian Apprenticeships

TAFE provides flexible training options for employers, and eligible learners may be able to access Fee Free TAFE or other subsidised training depending on the state of employment.

Trainees enrolled with TAFE are supported through a combination of workplace learning, structured study, lecturer support and employer mentoring. The qualification, delivery mode and training plan will be confirmed as part of the enrolment and training contract process. It is best to talk to your local TAFE to discuss eligibility and options available.

Hours of employment and the Training Contract

Trainees are employed part time or full time under a Training Contract and can include school-based trainees. The traineeship is a combination of paid employment and formal training in a nationally recognised qualification.
The Training Contract must be completed to employ a trainee, is a legally binding agreement between the employer and trainee, setting out requirements such as hours of employment, rules for employing a trainee and training goals. One of the roles of an ACAP is to explain and complete the Training Contract with the employer and trainee and then lodge it with relevant state training authority.

Financial incentives

Financial Incentives and support are available to employers and employees from Commonwealth and State Governments. The amounts vary depending on if the trainee is employed part time or full time.
For in depth information and eligibility please refer to Financial support for employers | Australian Apprenticeships
ECEC worker retention payments apply to trainees subject to eligibility requirements for further information refer to Worker retention payment - Department of Education, Australian Government
For trainees undertaking the Diploma qualification their employer can access paid practicum subsidies. For further information refer to Guidelines for professional development and paid practicum subsidies - Department of Education, Australian Government

State Government funding is also available to employers and trainees for the Certificate III and Diploma qualifications. The type and amounts vary from state to state with most states providing reduced training fees. The following examples of some of the specific traineeship assistance available as of September 2026 and should be confirmed with the relevant body.

• Australian Capital Territory

   Early Learning Connection Career Pathways Program

  • Certificate III - assistance to trainee with study options and coaching.
  • Diploma - assistance to trainee with financial support to study and coaching.

  For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - Aunty Agnes Shea Scholarships 

  • Financial support, paid leave arrangements and wrap-around supports for trainees undertaking either a Certificate III or Diploma. 

  For details, see Scholarships for early childhood qualifications - ACT Government

• New South Wales

  Early Childhood Education and Care Scholarship programs (currently between funding cycles)

  • Certificate III up to $5,000 to trainee.
  • Diploma up to $6,000 to trainee.

  For details, see Scholarship programs

• Northern Territory

  Quality first: Early Years Qualification Scholarships

  • Certificate III valued at $5,000 to trainee.
  • Diploma valued at $5,000 to trainee.

  For details, see Quality first: Early Years Qualification Scholarships

• Queensland

  Qualifications Pathways Program - assistance to trainees for wrap-around supports. An additional supplementary subsidy of $2,000 applies to both qualifications for disadvantaged cohorts and for some regional/remote locations.

  • Cert III valued at $3,000 to trainee.
  • Diploma valued at $6,000 to trainee.

  For details, see Qualifications Pathways Program

• South Australia

  QualifySA Program (General)

  • Diploma up to $6,000 to the trainee and $1,000 to employer.

  QualifySA Program (Aboriginal Pathway)

  • Cert III and Diploma up to $8,000 to the trainee and $6,000 to employer.

  For details, see Financial support | Office for Early Childhood Development

• Tasmania

  Workforce Development Scholarship Program

  • Cert III up to $7,000 to trainee.
  • Diploma up to $9,000 to trainee.

  For details, see Scholarship Guidelines | EYSAC Employment

• Victoria

  Early Childhood Scholarships Program

  • Diploma – up to $7,000 to trainee.

  For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

  • Cert III up to $2,500 to trainee.
  • Diploma up to $9,000 to trainee.

  For details, see  Financial support to study and work in early childhood

• Western Australia

   Jobs and Skills WA Employer Incentive - up to $4,250 to employer. Additional funding of 10% for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and people with a disability. Also, additional funding of between 10 and 20% for specific regional locations.  

  For details, see Jobs and Skills WA Employer Incentive | Jobs and Skills WA

Financial incentives accurate at time of publication and may change over time subject to eligibility.