CHC30125 – Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Course Overview
The CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care prepares students to become caring and capable early childhood educators in Australia. This qualification reflects the role of educators who work in regulated early childhood settings, supporting the wellbeing, learning, and development of young children in line with approved learning frameworks.
As an early childhood educator, you will use a variety of practical skills and foundational knowledge, applying judgment and following established policies and procedures in your work. You may work independently or as part of a team, and in some settings, supervision may be off-site.
Graduates can pursue rewarding roles in environments such as:
- Long day care centres
- Family day care
- Pre-schools
- Kindergartens
Work Placement
To successfully complete this qualification, students must undertake a minimum of 160 hours of practical work placement in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia. These hours are integrated across units requiring real-world experience and are essential for competency-based assessment.
Course Structure
To be awarded the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, students must complete a total of 17 units:
- 15 core units
- 2 elective units
The elective units have been carefully chosen to align with current industry demands and to maintain the integrity and relevance of the qualification as per Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) standards.
Unit of Competency
| Unit Code | Unit Name | Core / Elective |
|---|---|---|
| CHCECE032 | Nurture babies and toddlers | Core |
| CHCECE033 | Develop positive and respectful relationships with children | Core |
| CHCECE034 | Use an approved learning framework to guide practice | Core |
| CHCECE035 | Support the holistic learning and development of children | Core |
| CHCECE056 | Work effectively in children’s education and care | Core |
| CHCECE055 | Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care | Core |
| CHCECE054 | Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures | Core |
| CHCECE037 | Support children to connect with the natural environment | Core |
| CHCECE038 | Observe children to inform practice | Core |
| CHCECE036 | Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning | Core |
| HLTAID012 | Provide First Aid in an education and care setting | Core |
| HLTWHS001 | Participate in workplace health and safety | Core |
| CHCECE030 | Support inclusion and diversity | Core |
| CHCECE031 | Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing | Core |
| CHCPRT025 | Identify and report children and young people at risk | Core |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people | Elective |
| BSBSUS411 | Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
Delivery Mode
This program is delivered through a combination of:
- Face-to-face classroom-based learning
- Structured self-study activities
- Workplace-based learning and assessment
This approach ensures that students gain a solid foundation in both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
Course Duration
The CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is delivered over a total of 52 weeks, which includes:
- 40 weeks of training and assessment
- 12 weeks of scheduled breaks and holidays
This schedule is designed to allow time for study, reflection, and practical placement while maintaining a healthy work–life balance.
Entry Requirements
While there are no formal entry requirements specified in the national training package for this qualification, AEI Australia requires applicants to meet the following criteria to ensure readiness and success:
- Be at least 18 years of age at the time of course commencement
- Have successfully completed Year 12 or equivalent, or hold another relevant qualification
- Participate in a course entry interview to assess suitability and individual learning needs
- Demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:
✅ An IELTS score of 6.0 (no older than 2 years), or equivalent (e.g., PTE, TOEFL)
✅ Completion of at least 5 years of education in an English-speaking country
✅ Completion of a Certificate IV or higher-level course for at least 6 months in an Australian RTO
✅ Successful completion of AEI Australia’s English Placement Test
Applicants must provide documentary evidence to support their English language proficiency.