Study Early Childhood Education in Australia at TAFE NSW

In Australia, the demand for early childhood educators is increasing day by day due to population growth and teachers leaving the field for other career options. The Australian government is investing in teaching jobs and courses to address a lack of skills and qualified educators. They are planning to increase teaching jobs by approximately 12% by 2033.

So, it’s the right time to study early childhood education in Australia. Studying this course will have a meaningful impact on your career. Childhood teaching jobs are listed on the MLTSSL in Australia as the most in-demand occupation right now, with long-term job security, opportunities for growth, PR opportunities, and strong government support.

So, if you are passionate about working with children, supervising and disciplining students, or making a positive impact on children's development, then Early Childhood Education in Australia is the right path for you.

Early childhood education in Australia is a program that teaches how to educate infants/children, either formally or informally, from birth to 8 years. This course covers major topics such as child development, behavior guidance, communication with children, health, safety & nutrition, and many more.

After graduation, you will be qualified to work with children from infancy to 8 years, in a role such as Early Childhood Educator/Teacher, Kindergarten Teacher, or Childcare Centre Manager.

Here are some reasons why you should choose to study early childhood education in Australia:

• One of the most in-demand professions in Australia due to growing shortages of early childhood teachers.

• Approved by the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), which is recognised by employers in Australia and overseas countries, including Canada, the UK, and New Zealand.

• According to SEEK, the average salary of an Early Childhood Teacher in Australia ranges from AUD 85,000 to AUD 90,000 per year.

• Occupations such as Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher (ANZSCO code: 241111) and Child Care Centre Manager (ANZSCO code: 134111) are listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), increasing the chances of obtaining permanent residency (PR) through various skilled migration visas.

TAFE NSW is a government-authorized institute and one of the largest training and education providers in Australia, offering practical skills and real-world experiences to international students and preparing them for direct entry into the Australian workforce.

Studying Early Childhood Education in Australia at TAFE offers a wide range of career opportunities for overseas students. This course combines theoretical and practical knowledge, with professional work placements, to help you gain work experience in the children's and family services sector.

The reasons for choosing to study early childhood education in Australia at  TAFE NSW:

• You can get your offer letter and Confirmation of Enrolment quickly without waiting a long time
• High visa success rate for Nepali students
• This course is approved by the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
• Learn from industry-experienced professionals
• High employment success rate (84% of employers prefer TAFE NSW graduates)
• Flexible and affordable study options
• Practical, hands-on training options
• Offers dedicated support for international students, including an orientation program, career advice, English support, and more.

Course name: Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5), or ECEC

Course code: HE20610

CRICOS code: 075653J

Duration: 4 years

Total course fee: $62,080 AUD (or AUD $7,760 /semester)

The TAFE NSW Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5) is a four-year program that prepares you to become a qualified early childhood teacher.

This program includes theoretical and practical lessons, giving you real-world experience in helping and supporting the development and well-being of children.

This course is also approved by ACECQA, which allows you to work as an early childhood teacher.

During your course, you must complete 805 hours (115 days) of work placement, which helps prepare you to work as an early childhood educator. TAFE NSW helps you find suitable placements with approved employers.

Generally in this course, you will learn how to:

• Support the learning and development of children from birth to 5 years.
• Create fun age-appropriate learning plans for children up to 5 years old.
• Guide and manage early childhood centres or childcare services effectively.
• Work together with families and other support services to help children with special needs or advanced abilities learn and grow.
• Implement measures to ensure that each child's health and safety are always prioritised.

What will you study

You must complete all the core units within 4 years to qualify as an early childhood teacher. The core units are more academic and research-focused, covering both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Examples include:

• Holistic Child Development
• Play and Documentation
• Nutrition, Health, and Wellbeing
• Creativity in the Early Years
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical Education (STEM)
• Music, Movement, and Drama
• Visual and Media Arts
• Brain Development and Cognitive Learning

For more information, you can visit the official site of TAFE NSW

Entry requirements

Academic requirements:

• Applicants should have a CTEVT certificate or NEB Year 12 qualifications with a minimum average of 65% or a GPA of 2.61.

English language requirements:

• IELTS: Overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.
• PTE: Overall score of 58 and at least 50 in each component.
• TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 79 with minimum scores of 19 in Reading and 20 in Listening, Speaking, and Writing.

Additional documents required:

• Offer letter from the institution (TAFE)
• Academic Transcripts and Certificates
• Valid Passport Copy
• CV / Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Proof of Funds
• Health and character certificate
• Overseas Health Insurance Cover (OSHC)

Career prospects:

After graduation, you will work as:

• Early childhood teacher
• Lead educator
• Early childhood supervisor
• Childcare centre manager

The cost to study the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5) at TAFE NSW is roughly AUD $60,000 for the 2026 intake.

Additionally, you have the option to pay per semester, which will cost you around AUD $7,760. You must deposit the initial tuition fee (AUD 7,760) to accept your offer.

Other additional costs include:

• Living costs: You must demonstrate at least AUD $29,710 per year.

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Health Insurance is mandatory for your entire duration of stay in Australia, costing around AUD $3,500 - AUD $4,000 for a 4-year program.

• Visa Application Fee:  $2,000 AUD

• Uniforms, equipment, textbooks, and materials (if applicable): Will be provided by TAFE NSW and will cost you around $300 to $1,000 AUD per course.

One of the most important benefits of studying at TAFE NSW is that it will help you secure homestay accommodations from an approved homestay provider once you arrive in Australia.

If you are under 18, you must submit a U18 Student Accommodation and Welfare Arrangement Form and must pay around AUD $2975.0 after receiving an offer letter.

To receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW), you are required to pay tuition fees, insurance, accommodation, and welfare arrangement costs.

Let's dissect the step-by-step application process to study early childhood education in Australia at TAFE NSW:

Step 1: Research and shortlist institutions

Step 2: Check eligibility requirements

Step 3: Gather required documents

Step 4: Apply to universities

Step 5: Receive and accept the offer letter

Step 6: Prepare for a visa application

Step 7: Attend biometric & medical examination

Step 8: Once your visa is approved, prepare for travel

A post-study work visa, often called a temporary graduate visa (subclass 485), is for international students who have recently graduated from a CRICOS-registered Australian institution and allows you to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily.

After graduating from Early Childhood Education in Australia, international students can work in roles such as Childcare Assistant, Early Childhood Educator, Lead Educator / Room Leader, Childcare Centre Supervisor, or Kindergarten Teacher. The average salary for early childhood educators ranges between AUD 80,000 and AUD 90,000.

Several childcare occupations, including Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher (ANZSCO 241111) and Child Care Centre Manager (ANZSCO 134111), are listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

Occupations listed in the MLTSSL are considered high-demand in Australia and offer a direct pathway for permanent residency (PR). 

To get a PR, you must apply through four visa streams:

• Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
• Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
• Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 491)
• Employer-Sponsored Visas (Subclass 186 or 482)

You can also continue your education with a Master of Early Childhood or a Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood, which may improve chances of obtaining permanent residency (PR).

In the future, if you need support with a PR visa, you can consult our Search Education in Australia MARA-registered migration agents, who have over 20 years of experience assisting international students and skilled workers for migration and visa-related services.