Enquire Now
The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) is the nationally recognised, minimum legal qualification for every early childhood education and care educator in Australia. At Practical Outcomes, this qualification is delivered as a workplace-based online course designed specifically for learners already employed in the early childhood sector in regional Victoria.
Note: CHC30121 is being superseded by CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Practical Outcomes is currently delivering CHC30121. Contact our team to discuss which version applies to your enrolment and what this means for you.
If you are currently working in a long day care centre, preschool, family day care service, community organisation, outside school hours care program or with a provider such as Good Start Early Learning or Jenny’s Early Learning, this is your pathway to a fully recognised qualification.
This childcare training covers the foundations of children’s development, children’s wellbeing and play-based learning environments. You will develop the skills to support babies, infants and toddlers, and preschoolers across a range of early childhood settings, and build the foundation for a long-term career in the sector including pathways toward room leadership and centre director roles.
Throughout the course, you will:
- Learn the fundamentals of early childhood development and children’s wellbeing.
- Develop the skills needed to support and nurture babies, toddlers and preschoolers through play-based learning.
- Gain the expertise to plan and provide enriching educational experiences for children in play-based learning environments.
- Build knowledge of the legal and ethical guidelines that govern early childhood education and care in Australia.
Our qualified and experienced trainers, AI-powered learning tools and dedicated online learning portal will support you every step of the way.
A note on funding eligibility: Victorian Skills First government funding for this course through our RTO is available to learners who are currently employed in the early childhood sector in regional Victoria. If you are based in metropolitan Melbourne or are not yet working in the sector, funded training is not available through our RTO; however, we can provide training on a fee-for-service basis. Call our team on 1300 799 610 to discuss your options.
Course code:
CHC30121
Qualification:
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Course units:
17 units (15 core and 2 electives)
Duration:
12 months
Delivery modes:
Workplace or distance (online)
Placement hours:
Placement hours: 180 hours (2 days per week, 7.5 hour days) in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia. For workplace learners, practical placement hours can be scheduled during usual working hours in a long day care service.
Government funding and fees:
Victoria state funding and fees
Course Units
To complete the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, learners must successfully complete a total of 15 units: 15 core units and 2
electives.
Core Units
HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
CHCECE056 Work effectively in children’s education and care
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
CHCECE031 Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing
CHCECE055 Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care
CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
CHCECE032 Nurture babies and toddlers
CHCECE033 Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
CHCECE030 Support inclusion and diversity
CHCECE034 Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
CHCECE054 Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s culture
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
Elective Units
BSBPEF301 Organise personal work priorities
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
Course entry requirements
To qualify for this CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, learners must meet the following course requirements:
- To commence this program, your Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills must meet the required standards for ACSF Level 2.
- Must have access to a computer and internet.
- You need to either provide a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) or provide evidence that you have applied for a WWCC. If you are unable to obtain a WWCC you will not be able to complete the requirements of the course.
- Evidence of COVID-19 vaccinations may be required by a service to undertake your practical placement.
* While not a Government public health mandate, individual services have the choice to require evidence of vaccination against COVID-19 and other illnesses. Depending on the service you attend and their vaccination policy, this may affect your ability to undertake practical placement. Practical Outcomes has no authority over the decisions made by individual services and cannot warrant you will be able to be placed elsewhere if you are unable to attend an early childhood service because of your vaccination status and will not be responsible for any impact which this may cause on your ability to complete your course requirements.
Important: If you are working, volunteering, or undertaking practical placement in a regulated early childhood education and care service, the Education and Care Services National Law require you to complete National Child Safety Training. This training is separate from this qualification. Please visit Child Safety and Child Protection Training | ACEQA for further information.
Program delivery and assessment
Practical Outcomes offers two delivery modes for the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Workplace delivery
If you are currently employed in an early childhood service in regional Victoria, you may be able to complete this qualification through your employer. Your work placement hours are completed during your usual working hours, and your trainer visits you on site. Your employer endorses your enrolment and, where eligible, Victorian Skills First funding may cover your course costs. This model works similarly to a traineeship, allowing you to earn and build experience while you study toward your qualification.
Distance (online)
If you are not yet working in the sector, or are based outside regional Victoria, you can still complete the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care as a fee-for-service online course. You will study via our interactive learning portal, which includes e-learning modules, live webinars and AI-powered learning tools delivered by experienced early childhood trainers. We will help you organise a suitable work placement site in a long-day care environment near you.
With either delivery mode, assessment methods include readings, research and reflection tasks, knowledge questions, projects, workplace and placement assessments, and observations.
Course placement hours
This CHC30121 program requires a minimum of 180 hours to be logged in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia.
We encourage our learners, if unable to complete placement at their current workplace, to find their own placement. This is a great way to build confidence and network in your local area. If required, your trainer can provide support to confirm placement details.
Your dedicated trainer and assessor
You will be provided with a qualified trainer who will support you throughout your entire Certificate III early childhood learning journey. Your trainer will provide you with individualised feedback on all your assessments and support you every step of the way. As well as face-to-face visits and placement site visits, your trainer is available to help via phone or email for extra support.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
If you already have experience working in early childhood education and care, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL allows you to gain credit for the skills and knowledge you have already developed on the job, which can reduce the time it takes to complete your qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Contact our team to find out whether your existing experience qualifies and what the RPL process looks like.
Fees and funding
Studying your Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care with Practical Outcomes may cost significantly less than you expect.
Victorian Skills First funding
Practical Outcomes is an approved training provider under the Victorian Government’s Skills First program. Skills First is the same government funding scheme that subsidises training across Victoria, including at TAFEs and other registered training organisations. Eligible students in regional Victoria may have their course fees fully or significantly reduced through this funding.
To be eligible for Skills First funding, you generally need to be:
- An Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen
- Living or working in Victoria
- Have enrolled in no more than 2 government funded qualifications in 2026
- Be enrolled in no more than 2 government funded qualifications currently
You can check your eligibility and find Practical Outcomes listed as an approved provider on the Victorian Skills Gateway.
Career outcomes
Early childhood careers are thriving in Victoria, driven by the continued rollout of government early childhood education programs and a growing demand for qualified early childhood professionals. Completing your CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care opens the door to a range of roles, including:
- Early childhood educator
- Long day care educator
- Preschool assistant
- Childcare centre support worker
- Childcare assistant
- Kindergarten assistant
- Family day care educator
- Family child care worker
- Recreation assistant
- Nanny/in-home carer
- Outside school hours care educator
Graduates find roles across long day care centres, preschools, family day care services, community organisations, government schools, independent schools, local councils and private businesses throughout Victoria.
Further education pathways
Once you have completed your Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Practical Outcomes offers clear pathways to continue building your qualifications:
- CHC50221 Diploma of School Age Education and Care
- BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management
From there, graduates can go on to complete a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, with the goal of becoming a registered early childhood teacher. Our team can talk you through the full study and career pathway when you enquire.
Make an enquiry
Interested in a fulfilling career working with children? Our consultants are here to help you get started. Click enquire now and fill out our form to learn more about entry requirements, fees, learning options, and how to enrol.
>
FAQs
What is the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care?
This nationally accredited qualification is the minimum legal requirement to work in Early Childhood Education in Australia. It provides the foundational knowledge and skills in early childhood development, education and care, preparing you for a fulfilling career working with children from birth to 5 years old.
Who is this course suitable for?
This course is ideal for anyone passionate about working with young children and supporting their growth and development. Whether you’re starting a new career or seeking to upskill within the early childhood education sector, this qualification offers a strong foundation in the early childhood education sector.
What are the entry requirements?
- Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) skills at ACSF Level 2
- Access to a computer and internet
- A current Working With Children Check (WWCC) or proof of application
- Some placement services may require evidence of COVID-19 vaccination
How long does the course take to complete?
The course duration is approximately 12 months.
Is this the same as studying at TAFE? What is the difference?
Practical Outcomes is a registered training organisation (RTO), not a TAFE. Both RTOs and TAFEs can deliver nationally recognised qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Both may offer Victorian Skills First funded training to eligible learners where approved to deliver that training.
The main difference is the way training is delivered.
At Practical Outcomes, you will be supported by a dedicated trainer throughout your studies. Learning is completed through our online learning portal and includes e-learning modules, live webinars and structured workplace-based learning designed to fit around work and personal commitments.
Your practical placement hours count toward your existing shifts if you are already working in an early childhood service, so there are no set classroom timetables to work around.
Many TAFE courses are delivered through scheduled classes, either on campus or online, although delivery methods vary between institutions and courses.
For many learners already working in the sector, a workplace-based delivery model can provide greater flexibility while allowing them to continue gaining practical experience in their workplace.
What are the delivery modes?
You can choose to study online (distance) or if you’re already working in the early childhood education sector you can complete workplace training . Both options include support from dedicated and experienced trainers and access to an interactive online portal.
Can my employer support me to study?
In many cases, yes and this is one of the things that makes studying with Practical Outcomes so practical.
If you’re currently working in a long day care service, your employer may be able to support you to complete your placement hours as part of your usual working hours. This depends on your individual circumstances, your role, and the service you work in. We encourage you to contact our team early to discuss what may be possible for you.
This arrangement is similar to a traineeship. If your employer is looking to upskill their workforce, Apprenticeship/Traineeship providers can provide advice on available options. Our team can work with you and your employer to establish a workplace-based training arrangement that suits everyone’s needs.
On completion, you will receive a nationally recognised digital certificate confirming your qualification. From there, our graduates go on to the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, and many continue further along a postgraduate pathway toward a bachelor’s degree or master’s in early childhood education, eventually working toward registration as an early childhood teacher.
How many units are in the course?
There are 17 units in total: 15 core units and 2 elective units.
Is practical placement required?
Yes, a minimum of 180 hours of practical placement in a long day care environment is required. Practical Outcomes believes in your independence, finding your own placement is a great way to build confidence however your dedicated Trainer will also support and provide guidance in securing practical placement.
What kind of support will I receive?
You’ll have a dedicated, qualified trainer who will provide individualised feedback, face-to-face visits, and ongoing support via phone or email. You’ll also have access to LLN (Language, Literacy, and Numeracy) support and our Learner Experience Leads to help guide and support you throughout your learning journey.
You will also have access to an interactive AI learning companion, AI assessment coach, and innovative avatar training experience to deepen confidence in your learning.
What are the assessment methods?
Assessment includes research, reflection tasks, knowledge questions, projects, workplace assessments, and observations.
Are there government funding options available?
Yes, government funding and payment options may be available for eligible students in Victoria. Click here for more information on fees and funding.
What career outcomes can I expect?
Graduates can pursue roles such as:
- Early childhood educator
- Kindergarten assistant
- Family day care educator
- Nanny/in-home carer
- Outside school hours care educator
- Recreation assistant
What further study pathways are available with Practical Outcomes?
Graduates can pursue roles such as:
- CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
- CHC50221 Diploma of School Age Education and Care
- BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management
How do I enrol or get more information?
You can enquire online, submit the form on the course page, or call 1300 799 610 to speak with one of our consultants.
