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Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care – Online

CHC30125 – Online (Self Paced) Study

Duration: 52 weeks (Delivered for 12 months with up to 18 months to complete as required)

Work placement: 160 hours

Get qualified to become an Educator

Qualification overview: 

  • Prepares learners to care for children, nurture development, and ensuresafe/supportive environments.
  • To work in the industry, you must have (or be actively working towards) atleast an approved Certificate III level education and care qualification

Satisfied with training

92.4% Satisfied

Percentage of graduates of this course who were satisfied with the training.

Improved work status

74.4% Improved work status

Average weekly pay

$953 Weekly pay

Average weekly pay for a Child Carer. You usually need a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care to work as a Child Carer.

Program details

National Code

CHC30125

Units

15 core + 2 elective (17 units of competency)

Total duration

52 weeks (Delivered for 12 months with up to 18 months to complete as required)

Program delivery

Online (self paced) delivery 

This course is also available as a traineeship for domestic (local) students.

Course fees and payment

Payment plan options

MCIE understands that you need flexibility in order to pay for your course. 

That’s why we offer a range of payment plan options designed to suit different budgets and circumstances.

Whether you prefer to pay upfront or spread the cost over manageable instalments, our team will work with you to find a solution that allows you to enrol with confidence.

Schedule of fees

View PDF document

Option 1: Pay the full fee (Get 45% discount!)

Tuition Fee: $6,000.00
Discounted Upfront Tuition fee: $3,300.00
Save as much as $2,700.00! 

Option 2: Pay us weekly at $62.82 per week

Pay as low as $62.82 per week (Save $600.00!)
Total number of instalments: 78
Initial payment of $500.00

Option 3: Pay us monthly at $272.22 per month

Pay $272.22 per month (Save $600.00!)
Total number of instalments: 18
Initial payment of $500.00

Option 4: Pay with Zip Money

Enrol now – pay with Zip

This course is available for discounted full course fee of $3,300
Credit limits typically $1,000-$5,000
(subject to approval)

Weekly repayments from approx. $30/week (or monthly equivalent)
Interest-free period available (length depends on Zip and merchant offer)

Other Zip Money approval and terms may apply

Enrol now – pay with Zip

Career Prospects

Job titles may include:

  • Early Childhood Educator
  • Childcare Assistant
  • Assistant Educator
  • Kindergarten Assistant
  • Preschool Assistant
  • Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Educator
    Family Day Care Educator
  • In-Home Care Educator
  • Nanny
  • Playgroup Assistant
  • Childcare Worker

Workforce demand

From Jobs and Skills Australia — ANZSCO 4211 Child Carers:
• Employed (Australia): 180,800
• Median weekly earnings (full-time): $1,146 (ABS Survey of Employee Earningsand Hours, May 2023, customised report)
• Share working full-time hours: 45% (ABS Labour Force Survey, 2024, four-quarter average, customised report)
• Female share: 94% (ABS Labour Force Survey, 2024, four-quarter average)
• Median age: 32 (ABS Labour Force Survey, 2024, four-quarter average)

Victoria 
• Victoria share of Child Carers: 22.5% (ABS Labour Force Survey Detailed, Nov2025, JSA trend data) 

The National Skills Commission indicates:

  • There are currently 136,100 Child Carers employed in Australia
  • Future growth for this role is at nearly 6%
  • Weekly earnings for Child Carers are around $1,059
  • 47% of Child Carers work full-time
  • 95% of Child Carers are women, with an average age of 33.

Entry requirements

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisite qualifications required to enter this program.

Education and skills

Students must complete a Pre-Training Review, meet the Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skill standards for this program level, and demonstrate suitability of candidate for this program.

Regulatory

You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of at least 18 years of age.

All candidates require a Unique Student Identification (USI) number. If you do not have a USI number you can apply for one online at https://www.usi.gov.au/students, or you can give MCIE administration staff permission to apply on your behalf.

Students with disabilities

MCIE welcomes all people with disabilities, learning differences and medical conditions. Acceptance in this program is subject to candidates’ ability to undertake all program requirements as discussed in the Pre-Training Review, with reasonable adjustments where applicable.

Digital technology

Students must have sufficient digital literacy skills to access online content, enter answers to written questions and communicate with trainers via email, the student portal and the learning management system.

Industry requirements

Candidates may be asked to provide evidence of the following for work placement (requirements vary according to host employer policies):

  • National Police Check
  • Working with Children Check
  • National Mandatory Child Safety Training -Foundation Course (by 27th August 2026)
  • Flu vaccination and COVID-19 vaccinations

Prior experience

Credit Transfer (CT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are available. Credit Transfer is free of charge.

RPL applications are subject to fees

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 Long Day Care setting, with an appropriate range of work tasks and ratios of children, and access to qualified supervisor (i.e. a person who holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care of equivalent). 

You can look up eligible services by using this link: https://www.acecqa.gov.au/resources/national-registers 

MCIE can organise your work placement for a $300 fee if required. 

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care – Build a Rewarding Future Working with Children

A career in early childhood education is more than a job. It is a chance to shape the minds of young learners, support families, and contribute to a future filled with confident, capable children. The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care gives you the essential skills and knowledge to create safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments for infants and toddlers.

This course is perfect for anyone who enjoys working with children, seeks a meaningful career, and wants to become a qualified childcare professional in Australia.

Read more

Study pathways

After achieving this Certificate III, you may progress into:

  • Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (with direct entry straight into a Bachelor degree at Victoria University – Learn more Diploma-to-degree-pathway
  • Leadership roles within early childhood services
  • Specialised support roles involving additional needs

These pathways increase earning potential and leadership opportunities in the sector. Learn more about 

Delivery and assessment

Course is accessed online via our user friendly learning management system. Work-placement will be undertaken at a MCIE approved Early Childhood Education and Care service.

This course is also available as a trainee for domestic (local) students. 

Assessment

  • Assessment activities may include written questions and quizzes, scenarios, role plays and case studies, practical/simulated tasks and a reflective journal. All assessment is designed to meet the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence.

Required equipment

  • Students must have access to a computer or laptop and reliable internet, and be able to access online content, complete and submit assessments, attach/upload documents, and communicate with trainers via email, the student portal and the LMS.

Student support

  • Students participate in 3 hours of weekly training sessions (via Microsoft Teams) and receive 1 hour per month of tutorial and supported learning.

     

    Course Units

    Core Units

    • CHCECE030 Support inclusion and diversity
    • CHCECE031 Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing
    • CHCECE032 Nurture babies and toddlers
    • CHCECE033 Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
    • CHCECE034 Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
    • CHCECE035 Support the holistic learning and development of children
    • CHCECE036 Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning
    • CHCECE037 Support children to connect with the natural environment
    • CHCECE038 Observe children to inform practice
    • CHCECE054 Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanderpeoples’ cultures
    • CHCECE055 Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care
    • CHCECE056 Work effectively in children’s education and care
    • CHCPRT025 Identify and report children and young people at risk
    • HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
    • HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety 

    Elective Units

    • CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
    • BSBPEF301 Organise personal work priorities

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    Comments

    This is Nationally Recognised Training, leads to an Australian Qualification that complies with the Australian Qualifications framework (AQF) qualification or a Statement of Attainment.

    Register your interest now!

    Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care Online in Melbourne

    Apply today and embark on a journey to a brighter future with our course certification.

    To submit a general support request, complaint or appeal submit request

    All finance matters, invoices, payments and queries should be sent to accounts@mcie.edu.au

    Or call us on

    1300 737 004

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