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CHC50125 DIPLOMA OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Gain the skills and knowledge required to work in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia.
📋 Code: CHC50125
🆔 CRICOS: 118911C
⏱ Duration: 52 Weeks
💵 Fee: From $AU 9,000
Nationally Recognised
Nationally recognised qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Clear Career Pathway
Direct pathway to CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care.
Course Overview
CHC50125 DIPLOMA OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
This qualification reflects the role of educators in early childhood education and care who work in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Educators at this level are responsible for designing and implementing curriculum that meets the requirements of an approved learning framework and for maintaining compliance in other areas of service operations. They use specialised knowledge and analyse and apply theoretical concepts to diverse work situations. They may have responsibility for supervision of volunteers or other educators.
Early childhood educators work in long day care centres, family day care, pre-schools or kindergartens.
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 280 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the units of competency.
VET National Code
CHC50125
CRICOS Code
118911C
Tuition Fee Onshore
$AU 9,000
Tuition Fee Offshore
$AU 12,000
Material Fee Onshore
$AU 500
Material Fee Offshore
$AU 500
Entry Requirements
The entry requirements to get into this course are as below:
👤 Age Requirement
International students must be 18 years of age or above at the time of their course commencement at Melbourne Metro College.
📚 Academic Requirements
To enter this qualification, applicants should have completed a relevant Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and/or meet the required work experience or pathway qualification requirements.
🌐 English Language Requirement
International students must demonstrate English language proficiency with an IELTS (Academic) overall band score of 6.0, a PTE score of 46, or an equivalent English language test result.
📋 Pre-Training Review
All students must complete a Pre-Training Review (PTR) before enrolment to assess their training needs, course suitability, and oral communication skills.
Language, Literacy & Numeracy (LLN) Test
Prior to the commencement of the course, all students are required to undertake a language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) test mapped at Australian Core Skills Framework and required to attain score at ACSF Level.
Learning Skills
4
Reading Skills
3
Writing Skills
3
Oral Communication
4
Numeracy Skills
3
- Melbourne Metro College will use online ACSF mapped LLN assessment tool to conduct a LLN test (https://llnrobot.com.au/)
- If students do not meet English and LLN requirements, students will be provided with appropriate strategies to assist them with their learning including:
- Flexible scheduling and delivery of training and assessment
- Providing the student with extra language/LLN assistance during class time; or
- Advising students to enrol in a language and literacy course to develop his or her skills to an appropriate standard, eg ELICOS (See LLN support in Student Support Section)
Course Duration
The qualification is delivered over 52 weeks consisting of:
Study Weeks
3 Terms × 10 Weeks = 30 Weeks
Work Placement
8 Weeks (280 Hours)
Holiday Breaks
9 Weeks (as per timetable)
Students are required to attend 20 hours of classroom training per week.
Homework is expected to be approximately 10 hours a week.
The training and assessment schedule shows the weeks during which training is delivered and assessment conducted for each unit.
Course Structure — Units of Competency
| Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| CHCECE041 | Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children | Core |
| CHCECE047 | Analyse information to inform children's learning | Core |
| CHCECE050 | Work in partnership with children's families | Core |
| CHCECE045 | Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children | Core |
| CHCECE042 | Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing | Core |
| CHCECE048 | Plan and implement children's education and care curriculum | Core |
| CHCECE044 | Facilitate compliance in a children's education and care service | Core |
| CHCECE049 | Embed environmental responsibility in service operations | Core |
| CHCECE043 | Nurture creativity in children | Core |
| CHCECE046 | Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children | Core |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice | Core |
| BSBTWK502 | Manage team effectiveness | Core |
| CHCPOL003 | Research and apply evidence to practice ECEC | Elective |
| BSBOPS502 | Manage business operational plans | Elective |
| BSBPEF502 | Develop and use emotional intelligence | Elective |
Key Information
Digital Literacy
All students enrolling in this course are expected to have basic computer skills including use of Internet, email and word processor.
Placement
Students are required to complete 280 hours of work placement as part of the qualification. Students will commence their work placement in term 4.
Delivery Approach
A face-to-face training mode is employed for this qualification. All classroom-based training will take place at Melbourne Metro College training facilities.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Prior to enrolment, students are made aware of Credit Transfer (CT) and RPL. Students are required to apply for CT at any relevant units.
Assessment
Students are provided with Student Assessment Booklet and other documents specific to the workplace simulation task requirements.
Pathways
After achieving CHC50125 Diploma, learners may undertake further study pathways including the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, through university.
Why Choose Melbourne Metro College for Your Diploma of Early Childhood Education Career?
Melbourne Metro College (MELMC) delivers the CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care with a curriculum built on real industry standards, not theory alone. Educators trained at MELMC enter the workforce prepared to lead services, implement the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), and meet the National Quality Standards (NQS) from their first week on the job.
The Victorian Government projects a need for more than 11,000 additional early childhood educators over the next decade. With early childhood employment booming across Melbourne and regional Victoria, enrolling now puts you in the most in-demand workforce in Australia’s education and care sector.
Dedicated Placement Coordination
Every MELMC student receives personalised placement support. The college coordinates your mandatory 280-hour industry placement in registered education and care services across Melbourne, so you spend your time learning, not searching for a host venue. Placement officers work directly with childcare centres, kindergartens, and family day care operators to match placements to your study schedule and career goals.
Industry-Driven Training
MELMC trainers are qualified early childhood professionals with current industry experience. Every unit of competency is taught with a direct link to ACECQA-approved practice, the National Quality Standard (NQS), and the Education and Care Services National Law. You graduate with the practical skills that employers in Melbourne’s early childhood sector expect from a diploma-qualified educator.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
MELMC’s Melbourne campus features purpose-built early childhood training rooms that replicate authentic childcare environments — from infant and toddler spaces to preschool learning areas. Students practice curriculum planning, behaviour management, and safe environment setup using the same tools, layouts, and materials found in registered education and care services.
Holistic Student Support
MELMC supports students throughout their study journey with academic mentoring, language and literacy support, career advice, and flexible study scheduling. Whether you are a school leaver, career changer, or internationally trained educator, the college provides the scaffolding to help you complete your diploma and enter the workforce with confidence.
Where Can a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care Take You?
Graduates of the CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care qualify for senior and leadership roles in a wide range of children’s services settings across Melbourne and throughout Victoria. The following roles are open to diploma-qualified educators:
- Room Leader — Oversee daily curriculum delivery and manage the learning environment for a specific age group within a long day care or kindergarten service.
- Educational Leader — Take responsibility for guiding the professional learning of the educator team and leading pedagogical practice in line with the EYLF and NQS.
- Centre Manager / Director — Lead the operational, compliance, and educational functions of a regulated education and care service.
- Family Day Care (FDC) Coordinator — Coordinate and support a network of registered family day care educators delivering early childhood programs in home-based settings.
- Out-of-School Hours (OSHC) Educator / Coordinator — Plan and implement programs for school-age children in before- and after-school care settings.
- Nominated Supervisor — Hold legal responsibility under the Education and Care Services National Regulations for the day-to-day management of a service.
For Cert 3 of Early Childhood and Care: click here
Your Career Roadmap: From CHC30121 Certificate III to University
The CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care sits within a clear, nationally structured education pathway. Each stage builds directly on the last, and each qualification is ACECQA-recognised.
| Stage | Qualification / Outcome |
|---|---|
| Step 1 — Entry Qualification | CHC30121 or CHC30113 Certificate III in ECEC (prerequisite — must be completed before enrolling in the diploma) |
| Step 2 — Diploma Study at MELMC | CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care — 1 year full-time / 2 years part-time, including 280 hours of mandatory work placement |
| Step 3 — Leadership Roles | Eligible to work as Room Leader, Educational Leader, Centre Manager, FDC Coordinator, or Nominated Supervisor in a regulated service |
| Step 4 — Pathway to University | Use your MELMC diploma as credit toward a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education — reducing the time and cost of your degree |
Students who complete the CHC50125 Diploma at MELMC may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or credit transfer toward a bachelor degree at participating universities. Contact MELMC’s admissions team to confirm available pathways.
Immunisation evidence is an industry requirement for early childhood placement in Victoria. Students must provide a current vaccination record or discuss any exemptions with the MELMC placement coordinator before commencing placement.
Ready to Enrol? Apply Now at melmc.edu.au or Call MELMC Admissions Today
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is listed as a priority course under Victoria's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative. Eligible domestic students may study at no tuition cost. To qualify, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, hold a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, and not have previously used a Free TAFE place. Free TAFE places are limited — contact MELMC to confirm current availability before applying.
Yes. Many students in the part-time pathway work in early childhood services while completing the diploma. Part-time students studying through the blended delivery mode are typically required to provide evidence of current employment in a regulated education and care service (minimum 15 hours per week). This employment can also count toward your practical placement hours. Full-time students should plan their work hours around the four-day-per-week class and placement schedule.
Full-time students complete the CHC50125 diploma in approximately 12 months. Part-time students typically complete the course over 18 to 24 months. Duration depends on your chosen study mode, the pace of placement completion, and the credit transfer or RPL applied at enrolment. MELMC offers intakes in February and July — contact the admissions team to plan your start date.
CHC30121 is the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care — the entry-level qualification that prepares educators to work under supervision in regulated children's services. CHC50125 is the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care — a higher-level AQF qualification that qualifies graduates for leadership and management roles, including Room Leader, Educational Leader, Centre Manager, and Nominated Supervisor. You must hold the Certificate III before enrolling in the diploma.
The cost depends on your eligibility for government funding. Eligible domestic students in Victoria may access Free TAFE (no tuition cost) or Skills First subsidised fees (approximately $7,450 to $9,467). Without government funding, full tuition fees range from approximately $15,650 to $17,839 depending on the registered training organisation. Materials and student services fees are additional. Contact MELMC for a personalised fee assessment based on your circumstances.
MELMC delivers the CHC50125 diploma through a mixed mode that combines face-to-face classes at the Melbourne campus with structured eLearning tasks. A fully online pathway is not available for this qualification because ACECQA and the Education and Care Services National Regulations require students to demonstrate practical competency through direct, observable interactions with children. However, some theory content is delivered online to support flexible study around work and placement schedules.
Yes. Eligible Victorian residents can access government-subsidised (Skills First) funding, which significantly reduces tuition fees. The Victorian Government has increased funding for early childhood education qualifications in response to projected workforce shortages. Free TAFE funding is available as a higher-level subsidy for eligible students. International students are not eligible for government subsidies but may access MELMC's flexible payment arrangements. Use the Victorian Government's online eligibility checker at vic.gov.au or contact MELMC admissions to confirm your funding status before enrolling.
Study in the Heart of Melbourne CBD
Melbourne Metro College operates from a central Melbourne campus, placing students at the heart of one of Australia’s most dynamic early childhood employment markets. Victoria’s early childhood sector is growing at a rate unmatched by most other states, driven by the expansion of funded kindergarten programs, the introduction of three-year-old kindergarten, and sustained government investment in educator workforce development.
Studying in Melbourne CBD means:
- Direct access to placement sites across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, northern and western corridors, and south-east Melbourne — high-growth areas for regulated early childhood services.
- Proximity to ACECQA-approved services, including long day care centres, standalone kindergartens, and family day care hubs.
- Networking opportunities with Melbourne’s early childhood employer base during placement, industry events, and guest speaker sessions organised through MELMC.
- Strong public transport access — the MELMC campus is accessible by train, tram, and bus from all Melbourne metropolitan areas.
- A multicultural student cohort that reflects the diversity of Melbourne’s early childhood educator workforce — relevant for educators working with children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families.
Apply Now at melmc.edu.au | Enrol in Melbourne’s Leading Early Childhood Diploma Program
Melbourne Metro College — RTO | CRICOS Registered | Nationally Recognised Training
Website: melmc.edu.au | Melbourne CBD Campus | Delivering CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care