Last updated: November 23, 2022
Looking for a childcare course to enhance your job prospects and kickstart your career in the childcare sector? There’s no doubt that having the right qualifications will help you secure a job. So we’ve got a list of some of the best online childcare courses in Australia with minimal entry requirements.
There’s a high demand for professional talent in the childcare industry, so there’s no better time than now to make that leap into this sector.
But you may be wondering, “How can I land a job with no related experience or education?” Well, unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.
You will need formal qualifications to hold a job as a childcare worker or childcare educator. Because of that, the completion of a suitable course will be necessary if you’d like to make a career switch from an unrelated industry.
To help you out, we’ve shortlisted some of the best childcare courses available in Australia.
However, you will not need any relevant experience or education to meet the entry requirements of these courses. And the best part is that they’re run online, giving you the convenience and flexibility you need to juggle different commitments at once.
Let’s begin with the different types of childcare courses you’ll find in Australia.
There are three main qualifications you can attain to land a job in the childcare sector.
The Certificate III equips you with the foundational knowledge and skills to break into this sector. If you want to learn the fundamentals of caring, communicating, and working effectively with children, a Certificate III will set you in that direction.
The Certificate III is perfect for those who do not have any previous experience or knowledge of working with children and would like to build their foundation before taking on a higher-level study.
This is the minimum qualification you’ll need to enter the Australian childcare industry. With this certificate, you can pursue a career as a childcare worker, preschool assistant, or daycare worker.
The Certificate III course typically runs over one year.
A Diploma offers the opportunity to pick up higher-level practical skills and take on prominent leadership roles in the childcare services sector in the future. Most diploma courses will require you to have a relevant Certificate III.
You’ll learn how to implement programs and curriculums that facilitate the development and learning of young children. Often, this is a requirement for those looking to take up the roles of a manager, supervisor, or director of a childcare service centre. You’ll also learn about the development of children, how to work with children who have special needs, and how to perform first aid on young children.
Formal work placement is frequently a requirement to complete the course successfully, and most diplomas take around 1.5 years to complete.
Most bachelor’s degrees focus on early childhood education, mainly for children aged 0-5 (or sometimes 8). As a childcare professional, you’ll gain insight into early childhood education settings, curriculum development, and effective communication.
Ultimately, you’ll undergo training to become a professional teacher and leader in various settings, such as kindergartens or daycare centres.
These courses will also require you to undergo professional experience placements in early childhood settings. The bachelor’s degree will take about three or four years to obtain. And those who hold a recognised diploma in childcare may be eligible for a fast-track course (~2 years).
These are the two most important factors to keep in mind:
This is crucial. If you’re going for a Diploma or Certificate III, these courses should be conducted by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). This signifies that the provider meets rigorous government standards and is qualified to offer nationally recognised qualifications.
If you wish to become an early childhood teacher, you’ll have to check your state requirements for registration. Registration may be a requirement under some state or territory laws [1].
A bachelor’s course is one of the most popular routes to becoming a qualified early childhood teacher. A qualification approved or recognised by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) is what you should look out for if you’re interested in a bachelor’s course.
The different qualifications will open up varying opportunities.
As an example, family daycare educators need to have (or be working towards) a recognised or approved Certificate III qualification or up. Meanwhile, becoming a family day care coordinator would require you to have at least an approved diploma-level qualification [2].
At least 50% of educators in childcare service centres (such as kindergartens or preschools) must have a diploma-level qualification or up. The rest of the educators should hold or be working towards a Certificate III qualification [3].
Hence, it’s always best to have in mind your career goals when picking a course—simply because the most suitable course for you depends on where you want to work and what kind of role you’ll like to take up.
We’ve shortlisted some of the best online childcare courses in Australia with the proper accreditations to help you reach your career goals.
8 months to 1.5 years
Online
~$1,600
TAFE courses are top-rated due to the wide range of options offered. This Certificate III can be done at many different locations across Australia, through a virtual online classroom or via at-your-own-pace learning. Because of this vast array of options, you’ll likely find something that suits your learning style and preferences.
This course is recommended due to its well-balanced mix of practical and theory coursework covering everything from child nutrition and health and safety to holistic development and emergency first aid for young children.
Some career outcomes of this course include:
The course may take anywhere between 8 months to 1.5 years, depending on which study method you opt for. It’s offered both full-time and part-time.
Note: The CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care has superseded and is not equivalent to the CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
20 months
Online
Subsidy available
This double-up course covers both the CHC30121 Certificate III and the CHC50121 Diploma, offering a seamless and hassle-free transition from the Cert III to the diploma.
It’s definitely recommended if you’re looking to take up leadership and management roles in the future—especially if you do not currently have any relevant education or experience in the field. There are no entry requirements for this course, so it’s perfect for anyone with an unrelated background.
This two-in-one course will prepare you for higher-level roles, including:
This course runs over 20 months online, and you’ll be required to complete a total of 440 hours of work placement over the course duration.
Note: The CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care has superseded and is not equivalent to the CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
3 years full-time, or part-time equivalent
Online
~$14,000(Subsidised)
Deakin University lands in the top 5 universities in Australia for education-related courses.
It’s a highly-recommended choice as it offers one of the best well-rounded placement experiences. You’ll undertake 80-days of supervised professional experience placement in a wide range of education and care settings (which the university will arrange for you).
You’ll explore kindergarten, primary school, and infant and toddler care settings during your placements. And this allows you to try out various roles and discover your interests earlier on.
You’ll cover a wide range of topics on child nutrition, well-being, and development as well as teaching in discipline areas of literacy, mathematics, science, and the arts. Once you graduate, you’ll be qualified to take up the following roles:
You may also find opportunities in the consultancy, NGO, policy-making, and research industries.
This course can be completed online and runs for three years (full-time). You may opt for part-time or full-time study.
5 years and 4 months
Online
~$16,000(Subsidised)
This JCU degree is a nationally accredited degree that allows you to seek employment and register as a teacher in Australia. Rated a 5-star university for full-time employment, JCU also offers numerous opportunities to build meaningful connections in the industry and pick up practical skills during your professional placements.
If you’re looking to work with a broader age range, this degree teaches you how to support the development and learning of children aged 0 to 8 (Other degrees usually cover ages 0-5). You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to work in various settings, including kindergartens, primary schools, and childcare centres.
Another plus point of this course is the flexibility offered. Their online route is specifically designed for students with other commitments. You will take on one subject at a time, and up to six per year, depending on how much you can commit. Your studies will be done at your own schedule and pace.
If you’re looking for short courses to improve certain skills or garnish your portfolio, we’ve got something for you, too. These are two of the best online short courses in the childcare sector to consider!
This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to handle a wide range of health conditions at school, including allergies, asthma, diabetes, and seizures. Additionally, you’ll also dive deep into behavioural conditions, such as autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities.
On top of that, the course also covers important aspects of providing special education, social, emotional, physical, and nutritional support to children and adolescents. This is a highly comprehensive and popular course with a 4.8-star rating based on over 1000 reviews!
This course takes around four months to complete.
Child Psychology (Accredited Certificate) – Udemy
With a 4.5-star rating based on over 2000 reviews, this course is a fantastic choice if you’re curious about child psychology. The materials are presented through bite-sized lectures, which you will gain lifetime access to.
You’ll cover topics on cognitive development and language learning in children. You’ll also learn how to determine if a baby is developing as they should and understand their intentions and behaviours during different stages of their growth.
The total duration of the lectures is just over 2 hours. So this is perfect if you’re not currently keen on committing to a heavy or lengthy course.
Completing your Certificate III, diploma, or bachelor’s course is the stepping stone toward a rewarding career that can unfold in numerous settings—including kindergartens, primary schools, preschools, and daycare centres. You may even find opportunities in the consultancy, research, or policy-making sector.
There are some common career outcomes of the childcare courses we’ve included above.
Early childhood teachers play a prominent role in supporting the learning of children before they enter primary school (usually aged 1-6). An early childhood teacher is typically required to hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
Your duties revolve mainly around teaching basic elementary skills, including literacy, art, numeracy, language, and music, to pre-primary school kids. You’ll also be supporting their emotional, social, and behavioural development. Other important tasks and duties you’ll take on include:
There is currently a shortage of early childhood teachers across Australia [4]. The average salary of an early childhood teacher in Australia is around $75,000 per year.
A childcare worker facilitates the emotional, educational, and social development of infants and young children. You’ll be spending time entertaining and educating children and assisting in the preparation of educational materials, games, and recreational programs. You’ll also be helping children with day-to-day tasks and their hygiene needs.
A childcare worker will be helping with basic tasks, such as preparing food and snacks. Your duties will also involve assisting children with their daily routines, including toileting, eating, and dressing.
In order to become a childcare worker in Australia, you need to hold or be actively working toward a relevant Certificate III qualification.
There is currently a shortage of childcare workers in most states in Australia and a strong expected future demand for qualified professionals to take up this role [5].
The average salary for a childcare worker in Australia is around $50,000-60,000 per year.
Working in childcare can definitely be a rewarding career, but it isn’t the route for everyone. You will need to be patient when handling children (and their parents), and children with special needs may require extra attention and care. Without a doubt, it can be very emotionally and physically taxing dealing with the needs of (a group of) children.
Nonetheless, the satisfaction of a job like this is extremely high because you will be genuinely making a difference in the lives of children and their parents alike. Your role is crucial to facilitating the optimal growth and development of young kids. And there’s nothing quite like forming close bonds with the children you care for, who may very well start treating you like part of their family!
You’ll need to have at least a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care or be actively working towards attaining one. You’ll usually also need to gain your Working with Children Check and police check before entering your childcare course. Additionally, you’ll need a First Aid certificate, though this can usually be obtained through the course.
A Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care can take anywhere from less than a year to 1.5 years, depending on whether you opt for part-time or full-time study. A nationally recognised course will also require you to undertake work placement to obtain your qualification successfully.
There is likely to be a moderate to strong demand for early childhood teachers and childcare workers in Australia in the foreseeable future. And currently, there is a shortage of qualified talent to fulfil these roles across Australia.
You will need to obtain a relevant certificate before becoming a childcare worker. This is usually a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care or a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. You must complete your work placement as part of your course to obtain the qualification. Other than that, ensure you have a current Working with Children Check and First Aid certification. This should include CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma Awareness training.
The average salary of a childcare worker in Australia is around $50,000-60,000 per year.
