How to become an early childhood teacher

Is this career a good fit for you?

You’re a great fit for a career in early childhood teaching if you:

• Have always had a strong connection with babies, toddlers and young children

• Have a caring and patient nature, even during moments of noise and chaos

• Enjoy explaining the “why” behind everyday life in simple, inspiring language

• Can think creatively on the spot (and enjoy doing so)

• Feel excited about shaping the minds of young learners

• Are the baby magnet at family and friends’ gatherings involving children

What does an early childhood teacher do?

Early childhood teachers are formative figures in young children's lives, shaping and caring for those between the ages of 0-5 or 0-8 years old, depending on the course taken. Not only will you care for the young children in your classroom, you’ll be empowering their parents to work outside of the home – a crucial role in today’s society.

Daily tasks

• Interact and cognitively stimulate infants, toddlers and young children according to their own unique levels of development and curiosity

• Handle the physical wellbeing of children during the hours of care, which may include bottle feeding, changing nappies, feeding food, consoling and soothing

• Plan and carry out developmentally appropriate activities that allow the children in your care to learn through doing and playing

• Provide updates to the parents of the children in your care – including how they have eaten, slept and interacted during the day

• Collaborate with colleagues to improve the learning environment on offer within your classroom

• Create and carry out lesson plans according to Early Years Learning and Development Frameworks, changing your approaches when necessary

  

How to become an early childhood teacher

Undergraduate pathways to becoming an early childhood teacher

If you haven’t completed university study before, you will need to:

1. Choose and complete the pathway that best suits your level of experience below.

2. Apply for and complete a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.

3. Register to become accredited with the state or territory you wish to teach in.

Postgraduate path to becoming an early childhood teacher

If you completed university study in a different field before deciding to become an early childhood school teacher, you will need to:

1. Complete a Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) or Master of Teaching (Early Childhood Education). 
   The course type you need to qualify will depend on which state or territory you wish to teach in. Read our FAQs below for more information.

2. Register to become accredited with the state or territory you wish to teach in (if required for early childhood teachers in your specific region).

Salary, career progression and job market

Average salary

Career progression

Job demand

• 6,500 new jobs in the past year*

• Strong future demand predicted for 47% of all education professionals**

• Moderate future demand predicted for 86% of school teachers**

Governing bodies and accreditation

The level of accreditation you need depends on the state or territory you wish to work within, as well as the job level you wish to apply for.

Early Childhood Teachers (ECTs) generally need to hold teaching accreditation, while Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) often do not. Childcare centres generally have both roles available.

Tasmania, Queensland, and the Northern Territory are the remaining jurisdictions where ECT registration in early childhood education centre settings is not yet required. 

• Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)  
  You must register through the VIT if you would like to gain an ECT role in Victoria.

• NSW Department of Education 
  You must register through the NSW Department of Education if you would like to work as an ECT in NSW.  

• Queensland College of Teachers  
  In Queensland, you are not required to register as a teacher in the state to work as an ECT.  

• Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory 
  The Northern Territory is currently reviewing the requirements of whether ECTs must gain registration as a teacher. More information can be found at Have Your Say.  

• Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia 
  In Western Australia, all teachers, including ECTs, must register with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia to work. 

• Teachers Registration Board Tasmania 
  In Tasmania, you are not required to register as a teacher in the state to work as an ECT. More information can be found on the Tasmanian Government website.  

• Teachers Registration Board of South Australia 
  You must register with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia when working as an ECT in Tasmania, even if you have only undertaken a 3-year degree, as opposed to the 4-year degree which was historically the only qualification type requiring registration. More information can be found on the Teacher Registration Board website.

^{Sources (accurate as of November 2025):}

<sup>Salary data is sourced from SEEK job postings and may not fully capture all salary trends across the sector
* The Australian Government's Jobs and Skills website
**Skills Priority List Findings Education Professionals ANZSCO Sub-Major Group 24</sup>

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