Home > Courses > Child Care > Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care > Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
CHC30121

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Study Method Online
Provider Melbourne City Institute of Education
Recognition Nationally Recognised Training
Start Date Enrol anytime
Melbourne City Institute of Education

  • THIS IS NOT A FREE COURSE. It does NOT qualify for VET FEE-Help or any other government funding.

Course overview

Start your career in the booming early childhood industry

Launch your childcare career with a fully online, self-paced Certificate III qualification that equips you with the skills to support the wellbeing, learning, and development of young children. The course comprises 15 core units plus 2 elective units, delivered entirely online over a flexible 9–12 month period. Join the high growth industry today!

Who's It For?

  • Early childhood education and care is one of the fastest growing industries in Australia with high demand for skilled and qualified professionals. This course is ideal for individuals who want to make a contribution to the lives of children and join a booming industry.

  • Our nationally recognised qualification Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care provides you with the understanding and skills to support the wellbeing, learning and development of young children.

Job outcomes

  • Early Childhood Educator
  • Family Daycare Educator
  • Nanny
  • Playgroup Supervisor
  • Out of School Hours (OOSH) Care Educator

Want to see more job outcomes and how your future could change?

What you'll learn

  • This qualification will teach you how to care for children, nurture their development, and make sure their environment is safe and supportive.

Recognitions

Nationally Recognised Training

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia

Study method

  • Online Online info icon
    Online delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
  • Blended Blended info icon
    Blended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
  • In-class In-class info icon
    In class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
  • Virtual Virtual info icon
    Virtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online

Duration study load

  • Mode: 100 % online, self-paced via MCIE’s learning management system.

  • Duration: Flexible completion timeline between 9 to 12 months (approximately 38 weeks).

  • Includes 160 hours of mandatory work placement, to be arranged in a licensed early childhood setting.

Delivery

  • Online self-paced through our user-friendly learning management system and within the host workplace during work placement.

Entry requirements

  • No prior qualifications required.

  • Must complete a Pre-Training Review and meet Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) standards.

  • Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, aged at least 18, with a Unique Student Identifier (USI).

  • Digital literacy: Students must access and navigate the online portal, upload assessments, and communicate via email.

  • Work Placement: May require National Police Check, Working with Children Check, and relevant vaccinations depending on host employer policies.

Find out more about the entry requirements for this course

Course features

  • Nationally accredited: Gain a qualification recognised across Australia.

  • Flexible learning: Study while working with workplace-based training options.

  • High-demand industry: Early Childhood Educators are needed now more than ever.

  • Fully online and flexible: Study at your own pace, from anywhere in Australia.

  • Strong industry outcomes: High satisfaction and employment improvement rates.

  • Flexible payment options: Weekly, monthly, lump-sum, or pay-as-you-go—choose what suits your budget.

  • Comprehensive career preparation: Includes realistic work placement experience and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.

Work placement

  • Students must complete 160 mandatory placement hours for the work-based training component of this program.

  • Students are required to find placement in a licensed Long Day Care setting, with an appropriate range of work tasks and ratios of children, and access to a qualified supervisor (i.e. a person who holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or equivalent).

Recognition of prior learning

  • Credit Transfer (CT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are available to eligible students.

Assessment

  • Assessments include written short answer questions, case study/scenario and practical demonstrations, work placement portfolio and reflective journal.

Testimonials

  • I am currently completing my Cert III in Early Childhood Education and Care with MCIE. The institute has been amazing place to study, the staff is respectful, kind and helpful and my lecturer Vanessa Fang has supported, guided and encouraged me and my classmates towards understanding the curriculum which she teaches through sharing real life experiences, and her expertise. She has gone above and beyond to ensure that all student’s progress their studying goals easily and efficiently. Thank you Vanessa for being an amazing mentor guiding and encouraging me to complete my Cert III, pursue studying further (working towards Diploma in ECEC) and providing valuable advice to become high quality early childcare educator.
    Tabitha Sylvester
    Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
  • I’m completing my Cert Ⅲ in ECEC at MCIE. My trainer, Vanessa, is very kind and supportive. She has a lot of experience working in both a childcare centre and this school, so she has great knowledge! I hope she’ll be my trainer for the Diploma as well.
    Miki M
    Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
  • I did my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care in MCIE and I'm currently doing Certificate IV in School Based Education Support in MCIE. It is a great institute, supports students and guide them throughout. Anusha is my trainer, she's highly skilled and a great teacher. She considers students needs, guides and supports each student really well. I'm very happy to be her student and recommends MCIE for everyone.
    Sarita Kanago
    Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Additional information

  • Satisfaction rate: 92.4 % of graduates satisfied with MCIE training

  • Employment outcomes: 74.4 % reported improved work status—new job, higher pay, or promotion

  • Victorian job demand: Approx. 31,021 Child Carers employed in Victoria in 2022; 2,734 more expected by 2025

  • National growth: Nearly 6 % growth projected in Child Carer roles across Australia

  • Average weekly pay: Around AU $1,059 for Early Childhood Educators

Subjects

Course Units
HLTWHS001Participate in workplace health and safety
CHCECE031Support children’s physical health, safety and wellbeing
CHCPRT001Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
HLTAID012Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
CHCECE035Support the holistic learning and development of children
And more!

Want more information about the subjects for this course?

Payment options

  • Weekly Payment Plan

    • Spread your tuition fee over 40 weekly installments.

  • Monthly Payment Plan

    • A more manageable structure, details available upon inquiry, typically aligning with the weekly plan’s structure.

    • Contact MCIE’s enrolment team for exact figures.

  • Upfront Saver

    • Pay the full tuition in one go and receive up to a 45 % discount.

  • Pay-as-You-Go Plan

    • Pay in installments with a flat 10 % discount—ideal if you prefer spreading payments without prepaying in full.

Find out more about the payment options for this course

About Melbourne City Institute of Education

MCIE is a leading provider of outcomes-focused quality vocational education and training programs. Our courses are founded on the desire to provide practical education leading to real job outcomes matching industry needs.

We empower our students to meet their career goals and have helped thousands of students gain jobs. We care about your needs, your aspirations and your outcomes and we work with you to remove the barriers to entry to your chosen career. Our outcomes-based training has helped us build an enviable reputation as a leading provider of quality vocational education in Victoria. Our focus is on competency-based practical education leading to real job outcomes and meeting the needs of industry and the community.

Legal Entity: Melbourne City Institute of Education Pty. Ltd. as Trustee for MCIE Unit Trust (RTO 22172).

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