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SCHOOL STUDENTS

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care


 National Code: CHC30121
 TAFE SA Code: TP01330


Course Type: School Students

2026 start

Description

TAFE SA's courses for school students are designed for students in Year 11 to Year 12. They provide the opportunity to learn specific industry skills and gain credit towards a nationally recognised qualification, all while students undertake their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

Launch your career as an early childhood educator with this nationally recognised qualification. Learn to support children’s learning, development, and wellbeing through play-based experiences in line with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Build skills in child development, safety and hygiene, positive behaviour guidance, cultural competence, and professional ethics. Complete a minimum of 160 hours of work placement in a regulated early childhood service to gain hands-on experience. This course meets the minimum qualification required to work in childcare centres, preschools, kindergartens, and out-of-school-hours care settings. Key Competencies: * Communicating with staff, students, and service personnel, * Maintaining professionalism, * Attending placement reliably, * Working within structured frameworks, * Solving problems effectively, * Managing physical demands, and * Being punctual and dependable. The Certificate III is the minimum requirement for employment in t
Duration
SACE Credits
Example Career Profile
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76 week

Part Time

Up to 155 Stage 2 Credits
Child Care Educator
Child Care Educator
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Campus / Location
Study Mode
Study Load
Commences
Scheduled
Application
Elizabeth
On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Part Time Part Time
Semester 1 CommencementSemester 1
Day Only Day Only
How To Apply
Mount Gambier
On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Part Time Part Time
Semester 1 CommencementSemester 1
Day Only Day Only
How To Apply
Port Pirie
On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Part Time Part Time
Semester 1 CommencementSemester 1
Day Only Day Only
How To Apply
Findon Technical College
On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Part Time Part Time
Semester 1 CommencementSemester 1
Day Only Day Only
How To Apply
Victor Harbor
On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Part Time Part Time
Semester 1 CommencementSemester 1
Day Only Day Only
How To Apply
Whyalla Secondary College
On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Part Time Part Time
Semester 1 CommencementSemester 1
Day Only Day Only
How To Apply
Murray Bridge
On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Part Time Part Time
Semester 1 CommencementSemester 1
Day Only Day Only
How To Apply

Icon Legend

On campus/location

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Online

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Blended

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.
Workplace

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Full Time

Full Time

Full Time classes
Part Time

Part Time

Part Time classes
Day Classes

Day Classes

Day time classes
Evening Classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes
International

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

You must be a school student undertaking SACE or equivalent, and meet the Flexible Industry Program eligibility criteria.

Course Delivery

  • Delivered two days per week over 76 weeks (24 months), one day per week for classroom delivery PLUS one day per week for 30 weeks placement,
  • Year 1: 1 day per week delivery (40 weeks) and 1 day per week vocational placement (20 weeks), Year 2: 1 day per week delivery (33 weeks) and 1 day per week vocational placement (23 weeks), plus 2 additional days (7 hours each) for first aid training,
  • Dates, times, course units and training plans may vary for each delivery location,
  • Not all units are offered during regular school hours and students may need to attend classes outside of school hours,
  • Students must complete a minimum of 160 hours of vocational placement as detailed in the Assessment Requirements.
    Vocational placement includes 24 days x 7 hours of vocational placement from 9.00-4.30 with a 30 minute lunch break in a regulated education and care program.
  • Vocational Placement days will be scheduled to commence in term 2 in the first year and are in addition to scheduled class days in line with required assessment tasks over the two years.
    Negotiation may occur regarding additional time for vocational placement due to training package requirements,
  • Before commencing Vocational Placement, DHS Screening Check and training in Responding to Risk of Harm, Abuse and Neglect must be completed,
  • Upon request, a person doing placement in an education or early childhood setting might also be asked to provide proof of their vaccination status,
  • Anyone working with or providing services to children in South Australia is a mandated notifier.
    The course provides information pertaining to the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 and the associated obligations as a mandated notifier,
  • Students may not have access to their mobile devices while on placement,
  • It is recommended that students do not have a full study band at school if they wish to also study this qualification at TAFE SA,
  • Applications to study at a Technical College may require an alternative a

Additional Information

Students are required to undertake a DHS Screening Check (free for school students undertaking work placement). Students are also required to pay for and attend Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education and Care (RRHAN-EC) ($88) (price subject to change) before attending vocational placement. There is a $35 incidentals fee for a TAFE SA T-Shirt to wear during work placement.

Fees

Total Fees for the 76 week course
Subsidised co-payment
$1,866

Subsidised training will require applicants to meet eligibility criteria.

Fees may vary for each delivery location, depending on the subjects being offered, and are subject to change.

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the minimum requirement for employment in the early childhood industry.

    Under the Education and Care Services National Law (2011) the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has set minimum training standards for all educators who are directly working with children in Birth to Preschool age Long Day Care centres. Educators must hold or be working towards an approved Certificate III level education and care qualification (or higher). The list of approved early childhood education and care qualifications and information regarding regulatory requirements can be found here: www.acecqa.gov.au

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121)
    This course provides the skills needed by educators in a range of early childhood education settings who work within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard. They support the implementation of an approved learning framework, and support children’s wellbeing, learning and development. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 15 core units and 2 elective units.

    Note: Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency but not the full qualification are eligible to receive a Statement of Attainment.

    90%*
    of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.
    87%*
    of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.



    * 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Develop positive and respectful relationships with children 100
    Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures 55
    Identify and report children and young people at risk 40
    Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care 60
    Nurture babies and toddlers 108
    Observe children to inform practice 40
    Participate in workplace health and safety 20
    Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning 75
    Provide First Aid in an education and care setting 22
    Support children to connect with the natural environment 50
    Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing 160
    Support inclusion and diversity 63
    Support the holistic learning and development of children 100
    Use an approved learning framework to guide practice 80
    Work effectively in children’s education and care 65

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Follow basic food safety practices 30
    Organise personal work priorities 30

Further Information

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