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Become a kinder teacher or educator
Want to help give children the best start in life?
The evidence is clear: quality, play-based learning in the years before school has significant benefits.
For children, it can be life-changing in terms of their future learning success, social and emotional wellbeing, and employment opportunities.
In an Australian first, Victorian children can now access 2 years of kinder before school, giving children the chance to enjoy the benefits that come with early childhood education. This will create over 11,000 new early childhood teacher and educator positions over the next decade.
The best start for your career
We’re investing almost $370 million to attract high-quality early childhood teachers and educators to the sector and support and upskill existing professionals, to help children get the best start in life.
Designed in collaboration with the early childhood sector, including universities, TAFEs and education industry professionals, there’ll be more:
- opportunities for people to become teachers and educators through initiatives such as Innovative Initial Teacher Education
- supported traineeships for educators
- Free TAFE places
- early childhood scholarships valued at between $12,000 and $34,000 available, in addition to the scholarships available now
- employment incentives for teachers and educators applying to move to, or re-join, the Victorian sector.
Once you've finished studying and training there’ll be more supports as you commence your new career, including once you start your exciting new role educating our youngest learners.
Choose a career in early childhood
Early childhood education is a rewarding, dynamic, and flexible profession that will always be needed.
Hear from teachers about their experiences
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Every early childhood job has one thing in common – the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and their families.
If you're passionate about helping children learn and develop, consider becoming a kinder teacher or educator working in an early childhood service.
Other early childhood education careers include:
- working for a community organisation or in local or state government to help improve early childhood education to support children and families into the future
- exploring research opportunities to improve understanding of how children learn and thrive
- starting your own early learning centre
- leading new programs to help Victorians businesses and communities re-imagine the future of early learning.
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Early childhood education takes place through quality kindergarten programs across Victoria – at standalone kindergartens or in long daycare centres.
With so many opportunities available, you'll be able to work across the state in a range of settings, including those run by organisations such as:
- community organisations, including Aboriginal organisations
- independent schools and or government schools
- local councils
- a committee of volunteer parents
- private businesses.
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As a kinder teacher or educator, you will help children unlock their imagination through play and have a significant impact on their immediate growth and wellbeing.
One in 5 children are developmentally vulnerable when they start school. This means that they experience a number of challenges in the 5 important areas of early childhood development measured by the Australian Early Development Census:
- physical health and wellbeing
- social competence
- emotional maturity
- language and cognitive skills (school-based)
- communication skills and general knowledge
As a kinder teacher or educator, you will play a key role in helping children’s learning and development, so they are better prepared for school and their future.
You will have a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds of young children.
Early childhood pathways
So, you're interested in a career in early childhood? Here's a quick overview of the ways to become an early childhood teacher or educator:
The Certificate III is a pre-requisite for the Diploma
For educators, there are opportunities to upskill through a university degree to become teachers.
Now, let's find out more about you so we can help.
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What should I study at school?
There are no prerequisite subjects to enrol in an early childhood teaching degree.
Lots of subjects are useful in preparing you for an early childhood education career, including English, mathematics, art, health and human relations, and psychology. Of course, it's a good idea to have a clear understanding of course requirements so you can enrol in subjects that will help you achieve your goal. You should have a sound foundation in English and maths.
Your school’s careers advisor can help provide more advice.
How do I become a kinder teacher?
To become a kinder teacher, you need a degree in early childhood education.
The most common qualifications are:
- an undergraduate early childhood qualification (for example, Bachelor in Early Childhood Education). If you study full-time, this usually takes 4 years to complete
- a 'pathways' course where people with an approved Diploma of Early Childhood Education and can enrol and gain credit that accelerates their degree in early childhood education.
Throughout this time, you’ll attend classes at university (or study online) and undertake placements in different early childhood settings, obtaining real-life experience as you study. During your placement, you will be mentored by a qualified teacher and work alongside educators, learning how to apply the theory you’ve learnt at university.
If you’re currently studying or have completed a vocational education and training (VET) qualification in early childhood (such as a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care) at school, universities may recognise this as prior learning when you enrol. This may reduce the number of subjects you'll need to study and how long your degree will take to complete.
Different universities have different enrolment requirements and study options, so contact your preferred university to find out more.
How do I become an educator?
To become an educator, there are a range of VET qualifications available, such as:
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
- VET delivered to secondary school students (where you complete a VET qualification at school) and
- other pathways, including pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, traineeships or school-based apprenticeships (such as Head Start) in early childhood services.
You may be able to study one of these courses while you’re still at school – your school’s careers advisor can help provide more advice.
The Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is now available tuition fee-free through Free .
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I have a bachelor's degree or higher qualification
To become a kinder teacher, you need a degree in early childhood education.
If you have prior university qualifications, then a graduate diploma or Master’s in early childhood education may be the best pathway for you. If you study full-time this usually takes between 1 to 2 years to complete.
I don't have any prior university qualifications
To become a kinder teacher, you need a degree in early childhood education.
The most common pathway is an undergraduate early childhood qualification (for example, Bachelor in Early Childhood Education). If you study full-time this usually takes 4 years to complete.
Throughout this time, you’ll attend classes at university (or study online) and undertake placements in different kindergarten settings, obtaining real-life experience as you study. During your placement, you will be mentored by a qualified kinder teacher and work alongside educators and support staff, learning how to apply the theory you’ve learnt at university.
Once you have become a qualified teacher, you'll need to register with the Victorian Institute of Teaching ( ). Find out more by visiting the VIT website.
To become an educator, you will need to study a VET course at a TAFE or Registered Training Organisation, such as:
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
The Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is now available tuition fee-free through Free .
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If you’re a current educator, you can upskill and become qualified as a kinder teacher. A kinder teacher requires a degree in early childhood education. If you study full-time this usually takes 3 to 4 years to complete, or less if your university recognises your experience on enrolment.
There is also the Innovative Initial Teacher Education program where you can complete your degree in a compressed timeframe.
Doing further study in early childhood education will help you to grow your knowledge of how young minds learn while also enhancing your career prospects and earning potential. You will build on your skills to help children reach their full potential and better prepare them for school and their future.
Different universities have different enrolment requirements and study options, so contact your preferred university to find out more.
Study options near you
There are studying options available so you can study on-campus or online. To find a university, TAFE or Registered Training Organisation near you explore our map.
Victoria's TAFEs deliver high quality training across the state. You can find more information on individual TAFEs and requirements on the Free website under TAFE providers.
Support to become an early childhood teacher
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Financial support is available while you study to become a teacher. Hundreds of financial support packages are available now and you can apply at any time of the year.
Whether you’re starting your study, upskilling, or already studying early childhood teaching, there is financial support for you.
Financial support can be used to pay for course fees, living costs while you study, or other costs associated with your education.
You could be eligible for:
- $25,000 towards an approved undergraduate qualification
- $12,000 towards an approved graduate diploma qualification
- $18,000 towards an approved master's qualification
Early Childhood Aboriginal pathway
The Early Childhood Aboriginal pathway scholarship is for eligible Aboriginal people wanting to become a kinder teacher, educator or upskill.
You could be eligible to receive up to:
- $34,000 towards an approved undergraduate qualification
- $16,000 towards an approved graduate diploma qualification
- $24,000 towards an approved masters qualification
- $2,500 towards an approved early childhood Certificate III qualification
- $5,000 towards an approved early childhood Diploma qualification
These scholarships aren’t available if you’re studying through Free TAFE.
Apply for financial support now
Find out more about financial support for early childhood teachers.
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To apply, you need to provide evidence of enrolment in an early childhood qualification. You can register a profile online at any time so it's ready to go once you receive evidence of your enrolment from your local institution.
To apply, you will need to register a profile so we know:
- who you are
- your previous qualifications
- any other financial support you have received to study
- details of your enrolment offer
- your referees
Applications take less than 25 minutes to complete.
If you have any questions about applying for support, we are here to help:
- email the Early Childhood Scholarships team at EC.Financial.Support@education.vic.gov.au
- call us on 1300 161 396
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The Early Childhood Innovative Initial Teacher offers educators the next step in their career with a range of supported, employment-based courses.
Eligible Victorian educators can upskill to become qualified early childhood teachers through the Victorian Government’s partnerships with
- Australian Catholic University
- Deakin University
- Victoria University
These programs can be completed in a compressed timeframe, making use of a combination of online, face to face and intensive study options, and recognition of prior study and professional experience.
Kym Williams is among the first 85 early childhood educators participating in the Innovative Initial Teacher Education (IITE) program and has found the experience rewarding and highly instructive.
The [IITE] program has definitely improved my teaching practice,’ Kym says. ‘I find that I am constantly applying the learnings from my study to curriculum decision making and my approach to teaching more broadly.’
How financial support helped Molly become a teacher
Hear about Mollie’s inspiring journey from educator to a qualified teacher, and how financial support helped get her there.
Support to become an early childhood educator
Free TAFE
The Victorian Government has invested $28.5 million to build the skills needed to deliver Three-Year-Old Kindergarten. Through Free TAFE, the following courses are now available tuition fee-free for students starting their study at TAFE in 2020:
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
The Victorian Skills Gateway website has more information on studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and tuition fee-free at TAFE.
The Early Childhood Aboriginal pathway scholarship isn’t available for students studying these courses through Free TAFE.
Training and support once you enter the workforce
As a graduate early childhood teacher, you’ll be supported to further develop your skills and knowledge in the classroom.
Support for new and provisionally registered teachers
If you’re a new or provisionally registered early childhood teacher in your first five years of teaching, you will have access :
- funding to support you to work with a mentor to become fully registered with VIT
- Beginning teacher conferences to support your induction into the sector
- at least five hours of coaching in your first year of teaching, and ‘communities of practice’ to work through specific areas of skill development in your second and third year of teaching
- an alumni network to help you and other teachers who have completed these programs stay connected and share professional growth and expertise.
Reviewed 01 September 2023