Educators looking to take the next step in their career can now apply for a place in one of the Early Childhood Innovative Initial Teacher Education (IITE) programs or in The Front Project’s Upskill Program.
Early Childhood IITE Programs
The Victorian Government is partnering with the following universities to support eligible Victorian educators to upskill to become qualified early childhood teachers:
- Australian Catholic University
- Deakin University
- Victoria University
These programs can be completed in a compressed timeframe of between 18 months and two years. Courses are delivered via a combination of online, face to face and intensive study options, and recognition of prior study and professional experience.
Students (educators) can stay in the workforce while they learn.
Financial support packages are available to assist with course fees, study materials and other expenses. Paid study and placement leave may also be available. This will help students who otherwise could not afford to study to do so.
Eligible students can also access mentoring and coaching to help them successfully complete their courses.
Who can apply
The program is open to those:
- with a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or an equivalent qualification approved by ACECQA, and
- who are also currently employed by an eligible early childhood service that delivers (or intends to deliver) a funded kindergarten program in Victoria.
Additional eligibility criteria apply for each program option.
How to apply
Applications are made directly through the universities. You can read about each program and apply through the university website.
Australian Catholic University
Australian Catholic University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Early Childhood :
- is delivered through both face-to-face and online intensive delivery
- uses Virtual Reality experiences to enhance learning
- can be completed in 18 months
- allows for some placements to be completed in a student’s workplace and through partnering services
- provides funding to cover course fees and other supports.
Applications for the 2023 intake are now open until 5 March 2023.
Deakin University
Deakin University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Early Childhood :
- is delivered online over four trimesters
- can be completed in 18 months
- allows for placements to be completed in a student’s workplace
- provides access for eligible students to receive a financial scholarship.
Applications for the 2023 intake are now closed.
Victoria University
Victoria University’s Bachelor of Early Childhood :
- is delivered through a block mode of study units. Students take one unit over a four-week block, and after two units are given a one-week break
- is delivered through a combination of online and intensive face-to-face learning
- can be completed in two years
- allows for placements to be completed in a student’s workplace and through placement swaps
- provides access for eligible students to receive a financial scholarship.
Applications for the February and April 2023 intake are now open until March 2023.
The Front Project’s Upskill Program
The Victorian Government is partnering with The Front Project to support 100 eligible Victorian educators to upskill to become qualified early childhood teachers through its Upskill Program.
Diploma-qualified educators studying to become degree-qualified early childhood teachers will have free access to the program for the duration of their studies.
The Upskill Program provides students with supports such as:
- mentoring and peer-to-peer support from experienced professionals
- specialised webinars
- fortnightly office hours with an Upskill Program Manager
- access to the Online Community with fellow students and other sector professionals to connect, collaborate, and share with one another
- a range of online resources to support continued success
- fully funded access to the Front Project for the whole duration of their degree.
Who can apply
The program is open to those:
- with a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or an equivalent qualification approved by ACECQA
- who are also currently employed by an eligible early childhood service that delivers (or intends to deliver) a funded kindergarten program in Victoria
- who intend to complete an ACECQA approved bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and work as an early childhood teacher in Victoria
- who are ready to begin studying in early 2023.
Places are limited and will be prioritised for students who face barriers to upskilling.
Please note that students participating in an early childhood IITE program are not eligible for this program.
How to apply
To find out more and register your interest, visit The Front Project’s .
Reviewed 05 July 2023