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Postgraduate

Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood Education and Care

Domestic students
Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood Education and Care (GCCH)
Entry requirements
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Study mode
  • External
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 1 year part-time
Start
  • Feb, May, Sep
Intakes

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Overview

  • Are you a primary or secondary teacher wanting to expand your qualifications into early childhood education? The Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood Education and Care provides you with essential qualifications to deliver crucial early childhood and Kindergarten learning.
  • One of the most significant times of a person’s life is during their first 5 years, where brain development is at it’s peak and a supportive, nurturing environment is essential to build a foundation for future learning, health and life success. Expand your teaching qualifications to deliver learning that makes a life-long difference.
  • This Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)-accredited degree is an ideal option for teachers who have the desire to take a role in the early childhood education space, for example, in rural areas where teachers are often limited and the need for staff to become multi-skilled is essential.
  • Once graduated, you will have a broad range of qualifications giving you the ability to deliver essential learning in an early childhood education setting, or to become a manager or advisor of an educational centre for children aged from birth to 5 years of age.
 

Professional accreditation

This degree is an approved Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualification with the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Career outcomes

  • This degree suits teachers who want to broaden their career opportunities and be qualified for in-demand kindergarten career vacancies. This qualification also suits those wishing to pursue management or advisory positions within education settings to work with children from birth to 5 years of age. 

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

  • Completion of an undergraduate initial teacher education qualification in Primary or Secondary Education which leads to teacher registration, such as a Bachelor of Education.
    or
  • Completion of a postgraduate initial teacher education qualification in Primary or Secondary Education which leads to teacher registration, such as a Master of Learning and Teaching.

English language requirements

To meet the English language requirements for this degree, we accept the combined level and duration of study specified below, or the minimum English language proficiency scores from one of the following tests. Your test must be completed within two years of applying to UniSQ. 

Tertiary study
(Diploma level or higher)
 2+ years full-time tertiary study in a country from the Accepted English-speaking countries list.
IELTS (Academic)  Minimum overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.5 in each subscore (speaking, listening, reading and writing). 
International Second Language Proficiency Ratings (ISLPR) A rating of at least 4 in each of the skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Please note that the assessment must be completed at an approved testing site.
Professional English Assessment for Teachers (PEAT) Assessment of A in all four areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

If you have a current Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) provisional or full registration you automatically meet the English language requirements for this degree.

Teacher registration is the responsibility of jurisdictional authorities and the specifications for English Language requirements are set out under the relevant regulatory schemes. 

Additional requirements for placements

You must be able to meet the physical and other professional requirements of professional experience placements within this degree.

Some childcare centres may require evidence of vaccination prior to undertaking professional experience at the site.

State law in Queensland (Australia) requires that all adults working/undertaking professional experience/researching with children under the age of 18, are required to hold a current Positive Exemption Card (Blue Card) or hold a valid Working with Children Check. Students in other Australian states or in overseas contexts need to ensure they have complied with the equivalent requirements and have registered the details with the UniSQ Education Placement Office.

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 4 units. Most courses (similar to ‘subjects’) are valued at 1 unit.

Students can enrol in a maximum of 2 courses per semester due to the time constraints which are required to attend professional experience placements. This enrolment pattern is provided to accommodate students' needs, many of whom, in addition to study, are teaching on a full or part-time basis. Therefore, this qualification can only be studied part-time. 

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 4
Total 4

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Professional experience / education placements 

A student of the Graduate Certificate of Early Education and Care, you will embark on the following professional placements:

  • 20 days with children aged 3-5 (Kindergarten)
  • 10 days with children aged from birth – 35 months
  • 30 days with children before they start formal schooling or another approved context.

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your study (4 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Commonwealth supported

The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your course and you need to pay a student contribution.

AUD 2312
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 12560

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Professional experience costs

This degree includes a professional experience component that may involve travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply direct to UniSQ

Intakes

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February  Friday 9 May
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 26 May Monday 19 May Monday 26 May  Friday 22 August
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 8 September Monday 1 September Monday 8 September Friday 5 December 

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

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Is this degree professionally accredited?
At UniSQ, our Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood Education and Care is an approved Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualification with the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
Do I need to have experience in the teaching sector to study a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education?

Yes, you do! To complete this postgraduate Education and Teaching Grad Cert, you must hold an undergraduate or postgraduate initial teacher education qualification in primary or secondary education, which leads to teaching registration.

For specific information, please view the entry requirements section of this page. 

Are there opportunities for hands-on learning when studying a Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood?

The opportunities for practical experience will vary depending on where you choose to study your Grad Cert in Early Childhood.

At UniSQ, when you study our Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood Education and Care, you will benefit from 60 days of professional experience, including 10 days with children under three years of age and a minimum of 20 days with children aged three to five and 30 days with children before they start formal schooling. 

What are the career opportunities for graduates?
Graduates who hold a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood (or equivalent) can look forward to a variety of career opportunities as kindergarten carers or in management or advisory positions within educational settings.
Can I study the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education online?

Yes! At UniSQ, you can study our Grad Cert of Early Childhood Education and Care as an external student, learning your subject theory online, and attend campus when required for practical experience and residential schools. You can choose to study full-time or part-time, allowing you to balance your degree with work and life commitments.

Discover the different ways to study at UniSQ.