How to become an early childhood educator

Is this career a good fit for you?

You’re well suited to a career as an early childhood educator if you:

• Naturally connect with babies, toddlers and young children

• Stay calm, caring and patient in busy, noisy environments

• Enjoy games, stories and creative play with little ones

• Like helping children learn simple life skills and routines

• Are quick to adapt and come up with fun ideas in the moment

• Often find yourself the go-to person for minding children at family or social gatherings

What does an early childhood educator do?

Early childhood educators support the care, wellbeing and development of babies and young children. Most educators work in childcare centres or early learning services, where they help create safe, engaging environments for children to learn, play and build everyday skills.

Daily tasks

• Lead games, storytelling, creative play and other learning activities

• Prepare materials and set up activities that support children’s play and development

• Guide children’s behaviour and help them learn how to interact with others

• Monitor children’s safety and wellbeing during indoor and outdoor play

• Support children’s daily routines, including meals, rest and transitions between activities

• Encourage independence by helping children practise everyday skills, including hygiene routines and healthy habits

How to become an early childhood educator in Australia

To become an early childhood educator, you usually need to:

1. Complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. This is the standard entry-level qualification you need for the sector.

2. Apply for entry-level roles in childcare centres and early learning settings.

3. Consider a Certificate IV or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care if you want to build your skills or move into roles with more responsibility, such as leading a room, mentoring junior staff, or coordinating programs within a centre.

Considering university study?

University study is not required to become an early childhood educator, but some students choose to continue their education to expand their career options or prepare for further study.

Through Open Universities Australia, you can sample early childhood education qualifications by enrolling in Open Access subjects, which do not require you to meet any entry requirements.

If you’re interested in becoming an early childhood teacher, this requires a bachelor degree. Visit our page on how to become an early childhood teacher.

Salary, career progression and job demand

The average early childhood educator salary in Australia

Early childhood educators (sometimes called child carers) earn a median weekly income of $1,341 in Australia. Pay increases with experience and responsibility.

Continuing your studies can allow you to earn more. Registered early childhood or kindergarten teachers earn a median weekly income of around $1,906, reflecting higher qualifications and leadership responsibilities.

Career pathways for early childhood educators

Most people start as a trainee while completing a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. From there, they may move into roles such as educator or room assistant.

With experience, you could progress to a room leader role, where you coordinate activities and support other staff.

Some educators choose to continue their studies and work towards becoming a registered early childhood teacher, which usually requires a bachelor degree. Other possible career paths include working in:

• Early intervention

• Educational leadership

• Childcare centre management

Learn more in our guide to early childhood career paths.

Is there a demand for early childhood educators in Australia?

Demand is strong, with around 10,000 new jobs expected each year across the sector. These roles include childcare centre educators, family day care workers, nannies, and out of school hours care workers, reflecting the broad need for early childhood professionals across Australia.

Accreditation and professional bodies

Most early childhood educator roles require a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, a nationally recognised qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework. It allows you to work in regulated settings such as childcare centres and family day care.

Professional organisations can also support your career and keep you informed about industry standards:

• Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority  
  The ACEQA helps you understand the National Quality Framework, which sets the standards for early childhood education and care services in Australia.

• Early Childhood Australia  
  The ECA offers professional learning, resources and industry insights to support your development as an educator.

• Australian Nanny Association  
  The ANA provides information, advocacy and professional support for nannies and those working in home-based childcare.

Related careers

You may also want to consider these careers in the education and care sector:

• Early childhood teacher – If you’re interested in leading learning programs for young children, this role requires a bachelor degree in early childhood education and teacher registration.

• Childcare centre manager – A potential long-term career progression, where you’ll oversee staff, programs and operations within an early learning service.

• Early intervention specialist – A path to consider if you'd like to support children with developmental delays or disabilities.

• Primary school teacher – A good option if you’d prefer working with older children in a school setting and are more focused on teaching and learning.

• Teacher’s aide – If you enjoy supporting children and working within a school team but don’t want to become a teacher, this role involves assisting teachers in the classroom.

^{Sources (accurate as of March 2026):}

^{* The Australian Government's Jobs and Skills website}

Step up your career with these resources

How long is an early childhood education course?

Joshua Paleologou, our student advisor specialising in education and teaching courses, shines a light on just how long you need to study to work in early childhood education. Over to you, Joshua.

Early childhood teaching scholarships in Australia

Scholarships and financial support could help you pursue your dreams in early childhood education. Here's what you need to know about the government and university programs available to you in 2026.

Early childhood teacher registration in Australia

Taking the next step towards becoming an early childhood teacher can feel big, but you don’t have to do it alone. Here we explain how registration works in each state, and what support is available to you as a student.

Can early childhood educators teach in primary schools?

We asked Joshua Paleologou, our student advisor specialising in education and teaching courses, whether you can teach in both a primary school setting and a daycare setting once you’re qualified.