Topic:

• Introduction 
• Why study in Australia?
• Career Outcome
• Courses Available
• What do you learn?
• Entry Requirements
• Cost to study ECEC
• PR Pathway
• Skill Assessments
• FAQs

ECEC is a preparatory course to train professionals to teach infants and children aged from 0 to 5 years old. The contents of the course include: 

• Developing educational guidance and learning plans 
• Understanding how to care for children and how to promote their development 
• Learning about the education industry 
• Helping infant development through creative learning 
• Building good relationships with child’s parents  
• First aid for unexpected events that can occur in children; emergency response in unexpected situations 
• Children’s grade evaluation 

You are most likely to satisfy entry requirements to study Early Childhood Education and Care courses. With Certificate III, all you need is completing Year 10 or equivalent. For Diploma of ECEC, completing Year 12 or equivalent is required.   

For international students, you need to prove your English proficiency to study and work in Australia. Most schools require IELTS overall score of 5.5 with no sub-band below 5.0. If you do not have the English score required, the English pathway program is an option for you. Many schools offer English programs together with ECEC courses. If you pass these English programs, you will be eligible for studying ECEC courses. 

Studying ECEC is very affordable, and the graduates have a high chance of getting a fulltime job. The tuition fees vary depending on schools but generally speaking, for two years Certificate III + Diploma study, the tuition Fees range from $12,500 to $18,000. The tuition fees can also be paid by instalments.  

To know more about school options and fees, simply contact us!  

After completing the two-year ECEC program, you can obtain a graduation visa (Post-Vocational Education Work stream – 485 Visa). To apply for a 485 visa, apart from two-year study in Australia, another key requirement you must meet is English capacity. You must obtain overall IELTS 6.0 (no band score under 5.0) or PTE 50 (no band score under 36). Provisional Skills Assessment is no longer required until the further notice from the Australian Government.   

While holding a 485 visa, you will have time to fulfill essential requirements and apply for other visas to stay further and permanently in Australia. Here are some visa examples available for a Childcare centre manager and Childcare group leader. 

Subclass 189: Skilled Independent visa
Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated visa
Subclass 482: Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) – Medium Term Stream
Subclass 494: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Subclass 491: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa

Please note that to apply for these visas under the MLTSSL list, the occupation must be a Child Care Centre Manager which requires you to have at least 3 years of experience in this role, or you must be a Group Leader which requires you to have at least 1 year work experience after graduation.  

Fortunately, however, there are some other visa options designed for specific regions which is called Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA). This is an area accredited by the Australian Government for the main purposes of overall population growth and economic revitalisation. If you are early childhood workers, you still have a chance to get 494 or 482 visas via DAMA scheme.  

There are many different conditions and requirements for a early childhood educator applying for permanent residency in Australia. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact a qualified SOL Edu counsellor and registered migration agent.  

Pass skill assessments for a childcare centre manager :

The key requirement for a Childcare Centre Manager to pass a skill assessment is to have at least three years full time (or part time equivalent) employment experience as a Childcare Centre Manager in a regulated early childhood education and care centre. The employment experience needs to have been completed after you were awarded your qualification. During this working time, the expected responsibilities that the Childcare Centre Manager has done include:  

• Develop and implement programs to enhance the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of young children  
• Direct and supervise educators providing care and supervision for young children  
• Establish and maintain a safe and healthy service environment for children, staff and visitors 
• Facilitate compliance with relevant government requirements and standards  
• Work in partnership with parents and families to provide appropriate education and care for children 
• Maintain service records, operational budgets and accounts 
• Recruit staff and coordinate professional development.   

To meet the work requirement, applicants will need to provide evidence of at least six months full time (or part time equivalent) work experience in the past three years. 

Pass skill assessments for a childcare group leader :

For childcare workers, only group leaders are eligible for PR skill assessment. A Child Care Group Leader is required to provide evidence for one-year full time (or part time equivalent) employment experience in a regulated early childhood education and care service. The employment experience needs to have been completed after you were awarded your qualification. During this employment period, the group leader needs to fulfil certain responsibilities, including:  

• Provide education and care for babies, toddlers and children 
• Lead the preparation of materials and equipment to support children’s learning and development 
• Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning 
• Develop positive and respectful relationships with children 
• Ensure the health and safety of children 
• Support and supervise the daily routines of children 
• Support the inclusion of all children 
• Support children to develop cooperative behaviour. 

The same as the case for Childcare centre manager, a Child Care Group Leader also needs to provide evidence of at least six months full time (or part time equivalent) work experience in the past three years.