CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Early Childhood Education FreeTAFE

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Next intake

February 2027

Location

Workplace
Geelong City Campus
Werribee Princes Campus

Duration

Full-time: 12 months

Traineeship

Part-time: 24 months

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Information Sessions

8 Dec

Early Childhood Education

08/12/2026

5:30PM

Geelong City Campus

10 Dec

Course description

Are you passionate about working with children and ready to build a rewarding career in Early Childhood Education and Care?

If you are currently employed in a registered Early Learning Centre and working directly with children for a minimum of 15 hours per week, our Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Work-Based Learning Mode) could be the perfect pathway for you.

This flexible training model allows you to earn while you learn, combining your workplace experience with nationally recognised training. You'll develop your skills on the job while working towards a qualification that can open doors to a rewarding career in the early childhood sector.

To find out if you are eligible, please complete the Expression of Interest form via the link below. Our team will review your information and contact you to discuss your suitability and next steps.

Submit your Expression of Interest today and take the next step in your Early Childhood career.

Gordon VCE / VCE VM Students

If you are studying your full VCE or VCE-VM program at The Gordon you can include a VDSS course as part of your VCE program. Apply for a VDSS course.

Important Information:

Your entry requirements and assessments will differ as you will be studying your VCE with The Gordon.
Fees APPLY for this course – see the Fees section below.
This course may be delivered under VDSS as a partial qualification.

For more information, visit VCE at The Gordon.

Possible career outcomes

Early Childhood Educator
Educator Assistant
Family Day Care Educator
Outside School Hours Care Educator

Applications and attendance

How to apply

Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.

If you need help, visit Customer Service or email COURINFO@gordontafe.edu.au.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.

Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants

To become an apprentice or trainee, you will first need to find an employer willing to employ you. An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can assist you with this.
If you would like more information about hiring an apprentice or trainee, you can find all the information here.

Intake	Applications	Attendance	Classes
2026 Full Year Workplace	Open: 1 Aug 2025 Close: 15 Dec 2026	Workplace	Part Time \| Trainee I Flexible
2027 February Geelong City Campus	Open: 1 Aug 2026 Close: 1 Feb 2027	Class Day	Full Time \| Start: 01 Feb 2027 \| Mon, Tues & Thurs I 8:45am - 3:30pm	Apply
2027 February Werribee Princes Campus	Open: 1 Aug 2026 Close: 1 Feb 2027	Class Day	Full Time \| Start: 01 Feb 2027 \| Mon, Tues, Wed 8:45-3:30pm	Apply
2027 Full Year Workplace	Open: 1 Aug 2026 Close: 15 Dec 2027	Workplace	Part Time \| Trainee I Flexible

Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.

Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.

An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course. Spaces are limited and only completed applications will be considered for an offer. Intakes can be cancelled at any time.

Additional attendance information

Trainees must have access to a laptop or computer and reliable internet connection is required to participate in training, access learning resources and complete assessments.
Trainees must have access to a Zoom account to attend virtual training sessions, meetings and learner support activities, where applicable.
Basic digital literacy skills are recommended to access online learning platforms and submit assessment tasks.

Work placement/industry experience

Duration & Structure	Students must complete a minimum of 160 hours of placement. Placement is completed over 3 blocks (2 weeks, 3 weeks, 2 weeks), 5 days per week for 7 hours per day (excluding lunch breaks).
Location	Placement must be conducted in Regulated Early Childhood Education and Care service in Australia. These will be located in Geelong, Werribee and surrounding areas * You may be required to travel outside of your usual training location to attend placement. Travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of the student.
Organised by	The Gordon negotiates the practical/industry placements.
Additional requirements	Current Working with Children Check and National Police Check are required. Students may be required to provide evidence of immunisations/vaccinations as requested by placement services, which may include: COVID-19 vaccination Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination Other vaccinations or evidence of immunity as required by individual placement services. Additional documentation or training may be required, including First Aid, anaphylaxis management, asthma management, child protection, and child safety training. Students must demonstrate professional workplace behaviours and meet placement readiness requirements before commencing placement. Medical clearance and/or disclosure declarations may be required where applicable. Students must attend placement orientation and complete required placement documentation and learning activities.
Additional Information	*Placement is not paid work, and student will not receive payment for undertaking practical placement.

Entrance requirements

Applicants must be 17 years and over at the time of course commencement.
Applicants are expected to have literacy skills at Year 11 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3 and numeracy skills at Year 10 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3.
All students must attend a Student Success Discussion at The Gordon before enrolment. This session provides important information about the course, assessment and placement requirements, and expectations for successful completion. It also allows students to connect with their trainer before classes commence, discuss their goals and support needs, and learn about the range of support services available, including disability assistance and study support.

Apprenticeship and traineeship requirements

To undertake the traineeship learning pathway students must be employed under a traineeship contract employed for a minimum of 13 hours per week and through a Traineeship provider.
As trainees are employed in regulated Early Childhood Education and Care services, they are typically required by their employer to hold a current First Aid qualification. Students who present a valid HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting will be eligible for Credit Transfer.

Personal Learning Requirements

There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.

Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.

Pre-training review

Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.

Units and assessments

Core Units	Code	Hours
Develop positive and respectful relationships with children	CHCECE033	100
Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultures	CHCECE054	55
Identify and report children and young people at risk	CHCPRT025	40
Meet legal and ethical obligations in children's education and care	CHCECE055	60
Nurture babies and toddlers	CHCECE032	108
Observe children to inform practice	CHCECE038	40
Participate in workplace health and safety	HLTWHS001	20
Provide experiences to support children's play and learning	CHCECE036	75
Provide First Aid in an education and care setting	HLTAID012	22
Support children to connect with the natural environment	CHCECE037	50
Support children's health, safety and wellbeing	CHCECE031	160
Support inclusion and diversity	CHCECE030	63
Support the holistic learning and development of children	CHCECE035	100
Use an approved learning framework to guide practice	CHCECE034	80
Work effectively in children's education and care	CHCECE056	65
Elective Units	Code	Hours
Lead personal development	BSBPEF403	40
Work with diverse people	CHCDIV001	40

Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.

Assessment is based on:

Questioning
Observations and practical demonstrations
Portfolio (work samples)
Product (reports, projects, role plays etc)
Workplace evidence
Third Party Reports

Fees

This course is eligible for Free TAFE!

Eligible Victorian students who elect to use their Free TAFE opportunity will not incur any tuition fees. Material and resources fees still apply. Follow the link for further information and to check the eligibility criteria.

Fees	Rate	Unit	Indicative Course Hours	Indicative Tuition	Indicative Gov Total
Concession Tuition	AUD $1.16	per hour	1118	AUD $1,297.00	AUD $8,385.00
Standard Tuition	AUD $5.79	per hour	1118	AUD $6,473.00	AUD $8,385.00
Full Fee Tuition	AUD $10.76	per hour	1118	AUD $12,030.00

Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee - These fees do not apply to Traineeship enrolments in 2027
Education Levy	AUD $167.70		Charged at enrolment
Additional Cost	AUD $58.10	Once	Required purchase
Administrative Fee	AUD $200.00	Once	Charged at enrolment
Excursion	AUD $60.00	Once	Charged at enrolment
Resources	AUD $340.00	Once	Charged at enrolment

All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.

Which fee will I pay?

Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees and payments pages.

Fee help

Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.

Further study options

CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.