Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching

Learning Environment Management Techniques

Learn practical, age-appropriate techniques that help nurture a positive and dynamic learning environment for babies and young learners aged 0 – 5 years.

Practical Skills for Early Childhood Teaching

Apply early-childhood specific learning techniques in group learning contexts, preparing dynamic lesson plans that harness the education potential of play and creativity.

Curriculum Planning

Create learning activities to engage students and develop their skills.

Child Behaviour

Understand why children display different behaviours and learn how to best approach them.

Health & Activity

Explore a range of issues surrounding children’s health, nutrition and safety.

Twenty-First Century Teaching

Embrace the role of being a teacher in an era of rapid change.

Upskill your current industry experience or launch into one of the most rewarding careers as an Early Childhood Teacher. The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching is a one-year postgraduate qualification which will provide you the pathway to become a qualified teacher with an expert understanding in educational theory and pedagogical practices to make a difference to children’s lives and your early childhood employer services.

The demand for early childhood teachers and job roles are predicted to rise strongly from 47,900 to 56,200 by 2025. With strong employability prospects and a growing demand for early childhood teachers, there has never been a better time to elevate or discover your passion in childhood education.

This innovative and accelerated early childhood teacher qualification helps overcome the typical barriers to undertaking an early childhood teaching qualification through a workplace-based internship model with alternative setting experience. Achieve a sector-led qualification and become immersed in real-world opportunities to teach literacy, numeracy, and sciences while building the practical techniques to the specific early childhood teaching needs of pre-primary school aged children.

The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching is professionally accredited with ACECQA and Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as an early childhood teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Please check with your state’s early childhood teacher registration body for reciprocal arrangements which exist in other states/territories.

Recommended study pattern

Child Growth, Health and Well-Being (EDU60052)

Child Play with Literacy and Creative Pedagogy (EDU60053)

Child Play with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (EDU60054)

Professionalism with Family, Community and Industry (EDU60055).

Placement Requirement

60 Days of supervised professional experience.

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching, students must complete 100 credit points comprising:

• Four core units (25 credit points each for a total of 100 credit points)
• 60 days of supervised professional experience.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $25,680

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.

Learn more about Swinburne.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

19

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

17

Students must have successfully completed an Australian Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or recognised ungraded equivalent), and a minimum of five years relevant work experience (undertaken within the last seven years) in an early childhood education setting with related leadership responsibilities.

Additional Requirements

All enrolled students must maintain a current Working with Children Check from the appropriate State Authority.

A Police Check may also be required by a school prior to a placement.

English Language Literacy

Evidence of English language proficiency is not required if the applicant has completed a bachelor degree in English in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland.

For bachelor degrees completed in other countries, the following criteria applies:

IELTS (Academic Module): Overall 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0

Swinburne English Language Centre: EAP 5 Advanced level with overall 70% and all skills 65% or above

Or equivalent measures available at the Swinburne English Language Requirements page.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for RPL.

60 Days of supervised professional experience.