Become an early childhood teacher or educator

Want to help give children the best start in life? It’s never been a better time to become an early childhood teacher or educator in Victoria.

In an Australian first, Victorian children can now attend 2 years of kindergarten before school. Over the reform period, there will be more than 11,000 new early childhood teacher and educator positions created to deliver Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep across Victoria.

The best start for your career

We’re investing almost $370 million to attract high-quality teachers and educators to the sector and to support and upskill existing professionals.

Our approach, designed in collaboration with the early childhood sector and the tertiary education sector, includes:

  • opportunities for people to become teachers and educators through supportive programs offered as part of the Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program
  • Free TAFE places
  • early childhood scholarships valued at between $12,000 and $34,000 (before tax)
  • financial support of up to $7,000 (before tax) for current educators to upskill from a Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) to a Diploma of ECEC
  • employment incentives and relocation support for teachers and educators applying to move to, or re-join, the Victorian sector.

Once you've finished studying, you will also be supported throughout your career.

Study and career pathways

So, you're interested in a career in early childhood education? Here's a quick overview of the ways to become an early childhood teacher or educa

Early childhood pathways infographic

  • Download' Early childhood pathways infographic'

What do kinder teachers and educators do?

Early childhood teachers and educators work with young children in the years before they start primary school.

As a kindergarten teacher, you will work with educators and other health and wellbeing professionals to design and lead a play-based learning program for young children to support their development.

As an educator, you will work with teachers to deliver the play-based learning program for children.

Quality, play-based learning can be life-changing for children’s learning and development, including:

  • physical health and wellbeing social competence
  • emotional maturity
  • language and cognitive skills (school-based)
  • communication skills
  • general knowledge.

You'll have a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds of young children and their families.

Where can I work in early childhood education?

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 anywhere in the state in a range of settings, including those run by:

  • community organisations, targeting cohorts such as First Nations communities, economically disadvantaged groups and rural communities
  • independent schools or government schools
  • local councils
  • a committee of volunteer parents
  • private businesses.

Hear from teachers about their experiences

How to become an early childhood teacher (or kindergarten teacher)

To become an early childhood teacher, you need a degree in early childhood education. You have multiple pathways to choose from, depending on your current qualifications and experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree: You can study an undergraduate early childhood qualification, like a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education. If you study full-time, this usually takes around 3 or 4 years to complete.
  • Postgraduate pathway: 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 1 to 2 years to complete.
  • Upskilling as an educator: If you're already working as an educator, you can upskill to become a qualified early childhood teacher. Full-time study may take 3 to 4 years, or less if your university recognises your experience and previous study during enrolment. The Innovative Initial Teacher Education program offers a compressed timeframe to complete your degree.

During your studies, you'll attend classes at university or study online (or both!). You'll also gain practical experience by undertaking placements in various early childhood settings.

Different universities have different requirements and options, so contact your preferred university for more details.

After you become a teacher, you need to register with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Find out more by visiting the VIT website.

Study support through partnerships

We're here to help you succeed in your early childhood education career. We've teamed up with selected universities, TAFEs and RTOs through our Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships (ECTP) program. Through this program, an extra 2,000 students will be supported to get their early childhood teaching or educator qualification, with 11 different options available across the state. While you're getting qualified, you’ll be supported every step of the way.

These programs will commence in 2024 with enrolments opening soon, and range from:

  • Educator qualifications in Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
  • Teacher qualifications, like Bachelors and Graduate Diplomas in Early Childhood Education.

Learn more about ECTP

Scholarships to study early childhood teaching

Financial support is available while you study to become an early childhood teacher.

Whether you're just starting your study, upskilling, or already on your way to becoming an early childhood teacher, there are financial support options for you. These packages can cover course fees, living costs while you study, and other essential expenses related to your education.

Early Childhood Scholarships Program

Early childhood scholarships are available for people who are starting study or are already studying an approved course to become a registered early childhood teacher. This includes educators who are looking to upskill.

You could be eligible for up to (before tax):

  • $25,000 towards an approved undergraduate qualification
  • $12,000 towards an approved graduate diploma qualification
  • $18,000 towards an approved master's qualification.

Please read the Program Guidelines to check your eligibility.

Apply for financial support

Early childhood Aboriginal pathway scholarship

The early childhood Aboriginal pathway scholarship is available for eligible Aboriginal people wanting to become a kindergarten teacher.

You could be eligible to receive financial assistance of up to:

  • $34,000 towards an approved undergraduate qualification
  • $16,000 towards an approved graduate diploma qualification
  • $24,000 towards an approved masters qualification

This program also offers financial support towards vocational training to become an educator.

Apply for the scholarship

Need help?

To apply, you need to provide evidence of enrolment in an early childhood education qualification. You can create a profile online at any time. it will be ready to use when you get confirmation of your enrolment from your preferred 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 financial support, we are here to help:

How to become an early childhood educator

If you’re interested in becoming an early childhood educator, there are different VET qualifications available:

  • Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (available through Free TAFE, and a prerequisite for the Diploma below)
  • Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (available through Free TAFE)

You can also start your studies by completing a:

  • VET course as part of your schooling, starting in Year 10 until you finish VCE
  • VCE Vocational Major
  • Victorian Pathways Certificate for a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
  • school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.

Your school’s careers advisor can provide more advice.

Early Childhood Aboriginal pathway scholarship

The Early Childhood Aboriginal pathway scholarship is available for eligible Aboriginal people wanting to become a kindergarten educator.

You could be eligible to receive financial assistance of up to:

  • $2,500 for an approved early childhood Certificate III qualification
  • $5,000 for an approved early childhood Diploma qualification

These scholarships are not available if you are studying through Free TAFE. This program also offers scholarships toward studying early childhood teaching.

Apply for the scholarship

Study early childhood courses through Free TAFE

With Free TAFE, you can now access early childhood education courses tuition fee-free. Choose from:

  • Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
  • Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Eligibility criteria:

  • open to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens with a Special Category Visa
  • no age limit
  • covers approved courses in high-demand industries.

Certificate III Upskill Support Program

The Certificate III Upskill Support Program offers financial support to a limited number of educators in Victoria. These educators already have a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and want to complete a Diploma of ECEC. These payments are designed to support Certificate III qualified educators to build their skills and help increase the number of Diploma qualified educators in Victoria.

You could be eligible to get up to $7,000 (before tax) for upskilling to the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

Please read the Program Guidelines to check your eligibility.

The application round for this program is now open and will close on 15 April 2024. Please submit your completed application before this time.

Information about any further application rounds will be published on our website.

Apply for financial support now

Updated