Degree details

The Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care provides qualified registered teachers the opportunity to teach in pre-school settings (1-5 years) as well as specialise in the early years of school (5-8 years).

This program will give registered teachers the opportunity to enhance their professional development in pre-school settings as well as the early years of primary school.

Professional recognition

This program is professionally recognised by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Higher education

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care, applicants must have the following:

  • an undergraduate degree in primary or secondary education
  • OR a postgraduate primary or secondary education qualification which leads to teacher registration.

English Proficiency Requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

  • A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
  • OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
  • OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
  • OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
  • OR a minimum grade of C on the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
  • OR a minimum grade of C on the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
  • OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. For more information, please visit the following website:

Award Requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (GCertEarlyChiEdCare), a student must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:

  • gain 40 credit points for the core subjects.