CHC30125 · Certificate III
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Replaces CHC30121 — same qualification, updated training package.
Start your career as an early childhood educator with a nationally recognised Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125) — online, with weekly live classes and assessor visits at your placement centre. Government-funded from $368 through the Queensland Government’s Career Start program for eligible students across Queensland.
- Duration6–9 months, self-paced*
- Placement160 hours
- DeliveryOnline
- Next intakeEnrol any time — online
- Where5 locations
Overview
Work that genuinely matters.
This course will provide you with the fundamental knowledge and experience to move into a career in childcare, working within early education or care settings. CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the minimum qualification that allows educators to work in early childhood services in Australia, including long day care, family day care, kindergartens, and school aged care services.
What you'll learn
Practical skills, and the judgement to use them well.
- Nurture babies, toddlers and young childrenSafe, warm, responsive care that supports each child’s physical, social and emotional development.
- Use the Early Years Learning FrameworkPlan and deliver play-based learning using Australia’s approved framework, connecting theory to what you do with children every day.
- Support health, safety and wellbeingEveryday health, safety and hygiene practice — and how to recognise and respond when a child is at risk.
- Build respectful relationshipsCommunication, positive guidance and partnership with parents and carers — the relational core of the educator role.
- Culturally safe, inclusive practiceEncourage understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures and create a room where every child belongs.
- First aid, food safety, WHS and sustainabilityThe practical tickets and everyday habits that keep an early learning service running safely.
Course units
17 units of competency.
15 core units plus 2 electives.
Core units 15
- CHCECE030Support inclusion and diversity
- CHCECE031Support children's health, safety and wellbeing
- CHCECE032Nurture babies and toddlers
- CHCECE033Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
- CHCECE034Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
- CHCECE035Support the holistic learning and development of children
- CHCECE036Provide experiences to support children's play and learning
- CHCECE037Support children to connect with the natural environment
- CHCECE038Observe children to inform practice
- CHCECE054Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultures
- CHCECE055Meet legal and ethical obligations in children's education and care
- CHCECE056Work effectively in children's education and care
- CHCPRT025Identify and report children and young people at risk
- HLTAID012Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
- HLTWHS001Participate in workplace health and safety
Elective units 2
- BSBSUS411Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
- HLTFSE001Follow basic food safety practices
15 core units plus 2 electives. Electives may change as the training package is updated.
Delivery & duration
Day or evening. Built around a life that’s already full.
Self-paced online
Study around shifts, kids or a regional postcode. Log in and work through your units at your own pace, with student support on call by phone, email and message.
Weekly live classes
Every week, join a live online class with your trainer for guided teaching, Q&A and cohort discussion. Self-paced never means alone.
Assessor visits at your placement
Your assessor comes to your centre to watch you work with children. You show what you can do — not just what you can write.
Vocational placement
160 hours of hands-on placement.
- Placement guaranteed — Sage sources and arranges it at an approved early childhood service
- Starts within the first 6 weeks of your course — a Sage requirement that keeps you on track to complete
- Before you start: a current Queensland Blue Card, immunisations per the host centre, and the child safety and child protection training required under the National Quality Framework
Where our students go on placement
- Sunkids
- Edge Early Learning
- Goodstart
- Harmony
- Edens
Plus many more. Placement host depends on availability near you.
How long does it take?
Fully online at your own pace, with weekly live classes and assessor visits at your placement centre. Committed students typically finish in 6 to 9 months; your enrolment period is 12 months, so there’s room if life gets in the way. Meaningful engagement each week is required — extended inactivity puts your enrolment at risk under the Student Handbook. Already worked in early childhood? Ask about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at your info session — it can cut both the time and the units you need.
Where can I study?
Day and evening availability varies by centre — ask us for the next intake near you.
Course fees
Most students are surprised by what they don’t pay.
Eligible Queensland residents are subsidised and pay only the student co-contribution; students in other states study fee-for-service or with a payment plan. Everyone else can still study — with a payment plan if that helps.
First Aid is charged separately. First Aid (HLTAID012) isn’t included in the course fee. Complete it with Sage for $130, or with an external provider at their cost.
The Queensland Government covers the rest through the Career Start subsidy. Most Queensland residents qualify — one 60-second call confirms your rate. Eligible Career Start students also get access to one introductory skill set.
Not included in your course fee
- Blue Card (Working with Children Check)Mandatory before placement in any Queensland early childhood service. Free for students on placement.
- National Police CertificateMay be required by your placement centre. Approximately $50–$60, paid direct to the check provider.
- Child Safety & Child Protection TrainingMandatory under the National Quality Framework. We’ll guide you through what’s required.
- Printed certificate$50 including postage. Your digital certificate is emailed free as standard.
Refunds. Full refund if you withdraw within the 14-day cooling-off period. Government-funded students receive a full refund of the student contribution if enrolment is cancelled before training starts. Fee-for-service students: after the cooling-off period the full course fee is payable, even if you withdraw before completing — your payment plan continues. The full policy is in the Student Handbook.
Funding is subject to individual eligibility under Queensland Government Career Start rules. Fees shown are the student contribution for 16 units — First Aid is charged separately.
Full Career Start eligibility rules — read the details. Prefer to earn while you study? See Traineeships & Apprenticeships.
Funding eligibility
Don’t assume you’re eligible. Don’t assume you’re not.
Most Queensland residents qualify. One 60-second call confirms your rate — and whether a past qualification affects it.
You may qualify for Career Start funding if you:
- Are 15 or older and no longer at school
- Live permanently in Queensland
- Are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa
- Aren’t currently enrolled in another Queensland Government-funded qualification (even on hold or deferred)
- Haven’t completed a Certificate III or higher in the last 10 years — school qualifications don’t count against you
The $368 concessional rate also needs one of:
- A Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or DVA card — yours, or you’re a named dependent
- You identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- You have a disability
- You’re from a non-English speaking background
- You’re an adult prisoner
Not eligible for funding? The fee-for-service rate is $3,184 ($199 per unit), with payment plans available. Group or employer booking of 4 or more? Ask about fee-for-service discounts.
Career outcomes
One of Australia’s fastest-growing occupations.
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the qualification the sector asks for. Our graduates work at Sunkids, Edge Early Learning, Goodstart, Harmony, Edens and many other early learning services across long day care, family day care, kindergarten and outside school hours care.
- ShortageChild Carers on the national Occupation Shortage List
- Top 20projected growth occupation to 2028
- Tens of thousandsmore educators needed nationally
- 160 hrsof placement before you graduate
Sources: Jobs and Skills Australia Occupation Reports and Occupation Shortage List. Labour market figures are indicative — not a guarantee of employment or earnings.
Roles this qualification leads to
- Early Childhood Educator
- Assistant Educator
- Childcare Worker
- Kindergarten Assistant
- Family Day Care Educator
- Nursery Educator
- Outside School Hours Care Educator
Job titles and requirements vary between employers.
What a day looks like
You start by welcoming children and families as they arrive. The morning is play-based learning — setting up the environment, joining children in their activities, noticing what they’re interested in and how they’re developing. You lead the mat-time story, help at meal times, support toilet training and rest time, and document what you’ve seen for each child’s learning journey. Every child is different, and the work matters — the earliest years shape everything that comes after.
Before you enrol
What you need to know.
Entry Requirements
There are no entry requirements for this course; however, it is recommended that learners:
- are at least 15 Years old and have completed year 9 or equivalent
- have sound language and literacy skills
- must be able to obtain a working with children’s check
Frequently asked
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a government subsidy?
Yes. If you meet the eligibility criteria for Certificate 3 Guarantee Program, you will be eligible to receive a government subsidy for this course with Sage Education Australia.
Who will organise my vocational placement?
If you cannot secure a vocational placement, our support team will help you secure a suitable facility. Please note that when we secure placement, you must be flexible regarding the distance and work hours.
Do you guarantee a job?
No. We do not guarantee a job. However, this industry has a massive demand for workers, and you will likely secure employment if you’re committed. We will guide you in building a resume and refer you to some of our employers.
How long does it take to complete this course?
The course duration will depend on your mode of study and previous experience in the relevant industry. We will review your application and generate a suitable training plan when you’re ready to start.
What’s the difference between the $368 and $416 rates?
The $368 rate is the concessional student contribution — it applies if you hold a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Veterans’ Affairs card (your own or as a named dependent), identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, have a disability, come from a non-English speaking background, or are an adult prisoner. The $416 rate is the standard subsidised contribution for all other eligible Queensland students. Both are subsidised by the Queensland Government’s Career Start program.
Do I need a Blue Card before I enrol?
You need a valid Queensland Blue Card before your placement starts — not before you enrol. We’ll guide you through the application at the start of your course. The Blue Card is free for students on placement.
Is First Aid included in the course fee?
No. First Aid (HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting) isn’t included in the course fee. Complete it with Sage for $130, or with an external provider at their cost. Either way, bring your Statement of Attainment and we credit-transfer it into your qualification.
Can I do this course entirely online?
The theory is fully online and self-paced, with weekly live classes. Your 160-hour placement is on-site at an approved early childhood service, where your assessor visits to observe you working with children. First aid is completed face-to-face at Logan Central or brought in as a credit transfer.
How quickly do I need to start placement?
Placement must begin within the first 6 weeks of your course — it’s a Sage requirement. Meaningful engagement and progression are required throughout; extended inactivity puts your enrolment at risk under the Student Handbook.
Will I receive a printed certificate?
Your certificate is issued digitally as standard, at no cost — it’s emailed to you when you complete. A printed copy is available on request for $50 including postage.
Can I get a government subsidy?
Yes, for many of our courses. Sage is a Queensland Government Skills Assure Supplier, delivering subsidised training under Career Start (Certificate III) and Career Boost (Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and skill sets). Eligible students pay a small co-contribution. Some courses, including First Aid, aren’t subsidised. Talk to our team to find out what you qualify for.
Can I study online?
Yes, we do offer online delivery of some of our courses. However, you may need to attend a workshop to acquire practical skills mandatory for vocational placement.
We assess your situation at the time of enrolment and suggest an appropriate study mode.
Do you guarantee employment?
We do not guarantee employment. However, historically, most of your graduates secure employment as soon as they complete their course.
There is overwhelming employment demand currently, and you are very likely to secure a position if you follow our guidelines.
Who will organise my vocational placement?
We will organise your vocational placement when you’re ready to do so. However, please note that you must meet all requirements and acquire practical skills before your vocational placement is confirmed.
Google reviews
What our students say.
Related courses
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Enquire
Ten minutes with an adviser. A real one.
We’ll check your funding eligibility, talk through campuses and timetables, and give you the next intake date. No pressure, no jargon.
- 1You send the formTakes 30 seconds. Only the details we need to call you back.
- 2An adviser calls youWithin 2 business hours — a real person from one of our centres.
- 3You get a clear answerYour exact fee, next intake, and the campus that suits you.
- RTO 5989
- 4.9★ Google
- Est. 1998
