What ECEC students in Australia need to know before placement in 2026
Starting placement in an early childhood education and care service is a significant step. It is where studying shifts into something real working with children, in a live service, with actual professional responsibilities on your shoulders.
In 2026, there are new requirements that every ECEC student needs to know about before their placement begins. If you are studying towards your CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, or your CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, this article covers what you need to know.
New national child safety requirements
The Early Childhood Legislation Amendment (Child Safety) Act 2025 commenced on 27 February 2026. It introduced new requirements for everyone entering National Quality Framework (NQF) regulated early childhood education and care services — including students undertaking vocational placement.
The two most important changes for placement students are:
- Mandatory national child safety training through a platform called Geccko.
- New restrictions on the use of personal devices when working directly with children.
Both requirements apply to you as a student on placement. Your RTO and your host service each have obligations to make sure you are prepared before you walk through the door.
What is Geccko and why does it matter?
Geccko — Get Early Childhood Compliance Knowledge Online — is the Australian Government’s free online learning platform developed for the ECEC sector. The Foundation training consists of two modules and is available at no cost to you.
The training was developed by the Australian Centre for Child Protection and the Queensland Government on behalf of all Australian states and territories. It covers the knowledge and skills that every person working with children in a regulated service needs to have.
If you are an existing student, the Foundation training must be completed by 27 August 2026. If you are starting placement from 14 August 2026, you will need to complete it within 14 days of being placed at a service, or before you work directly with children — whichever comes first.
You will need to create your own individual Geccko account using a personal email address. Completion is recorded against your account, so make sure it is yours and not a shared one.
Advanced modules are expected to become available from July 2026. MCIE will keep students informed as those details are confirmed.
You can register and access Geccko at:
education.gov.au/early-childhood/providers/geccko-get-early-childhood-compliance-knowledge-online
Personal devices during placement — what the new rules mean for you
From 27 February 2026, there are new restrictions on the use of personal devices in NQF-regulated early childhood services. This covers mobile phones, smart watches, cameras, and other devices that can capture, store, or transmit images.
The National Law now restricts the use of personal devices when you are working directly with children. It also prohibits capturing, storing, or transmitting images of children using a personal device, regardless of the reason.
In practice, this means you should not have your phone in your hand, or use your smart watch, while working directly with children during placement. Your host service will have a policy on this. Follow their instructions at all times.
Choosing an RTO that makes sure you understand these obligations before placement begins — not on your first day — makes a real difference to how you settle in.
First Aid — what you need to know before placement
ECEC placements typically require students to have current First Aid training. The relevant unit for students studying CHC30125 is HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting, which covers CPR on adults and infants and is designed specifically for early childhood environments.
You may also encounter requirements for HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation or HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, depending on your course structure and placement setting.
Important: First Aid requirements vary by course, placement setting, and host service. Confirm the exact units required for your qualification and check with your host service whether any additional currency requirements apply. Follow MCIE and host service instructions at all times.
Why your choice of RTO matters
Arriving at a placement site prepared is not just about confidence — it reflects directly on the organisation that trained you.
At MCIE, we prepare our students for the real expectations of early childhood services, including child safety training, professional conduct, and placement compliance obligations, before they arrive. That preparation matters to host services, and it matters to students.
If you are considering studying your Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or your Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care online, with a practical placement component available to students across Australia, we encourage you to reach out and find out more.
Disclaimer: Placement requirements may vary by host service, state or territory, course structure, and funding stream. Students should follow the specific guidance provided by MCIE and their host service. This article reflects requirements as known at the date of publication (18 June 2026). Requirements may change. Always check official sources for the most current information.