Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)
Early childhood education and care, pre-school and primary school teachers play a key role in the early education and development of children.
Course essentials
ATAR
Guaranteed ATAR: 70:00
Lowest adjusted ATAR: 70.00
Entry requirements
Credit
Study mode
Online
Duration
Start dates
01 March 2027
19 July 2027
Locations
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Online
Course overview
Want to keep your teaching opportunities wide open? With this course you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to be a confident teacher in a range of settings including kindergartens and primary schools.
You’ll explore a range of curriculum areas and learn about different approaches to education including play-based learning and nature pedagogy. There are opportunities to reflect on your teaching and learn how to use your unique skills for the benefit of your students. You can choose your entry point and tailor your studies to finish in three to four years, depending on previous qualifications.
You will undertake 120 days of supervised teaching placement across early childhood and primary settings giving you the opportunity to work with children with diverse abilities, backgrounds, ages and needs.
At Federation University, the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) is a compulsory requirement of your teaching course. It is also a requirement for teacher registration. Find out more here.
At FedUni, the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) is a compulsory requirement of your teaching course. It is also a requirement for teacher registration. Find out more here.
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Education
Course co-ordinator
Karen Schneider
Career paths
Early Childhood Educator
Kindergarten Teacher
Preschool Teacher
Primary teacher
Early Childhood Centre Director
Preschool Field Officer
Educational Leader
Professional recognition
- Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)
- Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
- Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
Commonwealth Supported Places are subsidised by the Australian Government. The tuition fee is called the student contribution amount. The indicative fee above is based on a typical first-year enrolment for this course and should be used as a guide only. For 0.5 EFTSL (60 credit point) courses the certificate fee is displayed. Your fee will depend on the units you chose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive.
How it's calculated
The government sets the fee each year. The amount depends on the discipline area and band of each unit. 2026 annual student contribution amounts for 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) range from $4,738 (Band 1) to $17,399 (Band 4). The sample course structure below link to the EFTSL, Band and fee for each unit or you can use our unit search to find these details.
Other fees
You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Fee assistance
If you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan, you can defer the payment of all or part of your student contribution fee. If you’re also eligible for a SA-HELP loan, you can defer your SSAF payment too. You won’t have to start paying either loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Semester 2, 2026
20 July 2026
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Online
Semester 1, 2027
1 March 2027
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Online
Semester 2, 2027
19 July 2027
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Online
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat. Testing.
- Online learning is only an option if you’re not studying on an international student visa. Testing
Contact hours
You’d be looking at about 25-30 hours per week (if you’re full time), but this includes on-campus classes and self-directed study (i.e. homework).
Work integrated learning
This course requires a total of 880 placement hours, across 22 weeks.
Sample course structure
Here’s what the course structure could look like. It’s just an example (so don’t use it for enrolment). Interested in the details? You can find current course structure or select a single unit name below to find out what it’s about and how much it costs.
- Literacy and Numeracy15 credit pointsEDBED1011
- Teaching and Learning with Digital Technologies15 credit pointsEDBED1015
- Learning and Teaching15 credit pointsEDCEL1016
- Curriculum Through Play15 credit pointsEDECE1019
- Health and Physical Education Curriculum15 credit pointsEDBED1018
- Child and Adolescent Development and Characteristics15 credit pointsEDBED1017
- Numeracy and Digital Technology15 credit pointsECCEL2017
- Planning, Supporting and Assessing15 credit pointsEDECE1020
- LANTITE AttemptEDLAN1000
- Literacy, Language and Literature A15 credit pointsEDBED2008
- Guiding Behaviour15 credit pointsEDECE3022
- Curriculum Approaches15 credit pointsEDECE2016
- Science and Environmental Education in Early Childhood15 credit pointsEDECE2018
- Learning and Teaching Mathematics A15 credit pointsEDBED1012
- Health and Safety in Early Childhood15 credit pointsEDECE2019
- Transition to the Profession 115 credit pointsEDCEL2114
- Wellbeing in Early Childhood Contexts15 credit pointsEDECE2021
- Curriculum Assessment and Reporting15 credit pointsEDBED3027
- Learning and Teaching Mathematics B15 credit pointsEDBED3112
- Nature Pedagogy15 credit pointsEDECE3018
- Early Childhood Language and Literacies15 credit pointsECCEL2020
- Responding to Challenge: Trauma Informed Practice15 credit pointsEDBED3119
- Science Education15 credit pointsEDCEL2012
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: Learning and Teaching15 credit pointsEDBED3016
- Literacy, Language and Literature B15 credit pointsEDBED3111
- Humanities Education15 credit pointsEDBED4011
- Teacher as Researcher15 credit pointsECCEL4003
- Educational Leadership15 credit pointsEDECE4002
- Transition to the Profession 215 credit pointsEDBED4113
- Differentiating for Learning and Teaching15 credit pointsEDBED4010
- Arts Education15 credit pointsEDBED4012
- Professional Portfolio15 credit pointsEDBED4120
- Transition to the Profession 315 credit pointsEDCEL4114
Meet us at Open Day
Open Day is your chance to explore all that Federation has to offer. Meet current lecturers and students, ask course questions, learn about our support services and explore campus spaces.
We’ve got heaps of activities, tours and presentations planned. Basically, we want you to get a real feel for Federation. The atmosphere. The opportunities. The community.
Oh – and there’s no need to pack a sandwich. Lunch is on us.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements (year 12)
Admissions Criteria for current Year 12 students and recent secondary graduates (the past 2 years)
Prerequisites
Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion in two units (any study combination) of Maths: General Mathematics, Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics;
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.
Minimum ATAR including selection adjustments
The minimum selection rank for this course, is equivalent to an ATAR of 70.00. If applicable, this includes adjustment factors related to subject adjustments and SEAS.
Guaranteed ATAR
This program has a guaranteed ATAR.
If you meet the course pre-requisites and any ‘Essential Requirements for Admission’, we will guarantee you a place in this course with this ATAR. We use the adjusted ATAR, factoring in subject adjustments and SEAS as detailed below.
Subject Adjustments
A study score of 40 in any Humanities, any History, Literature, Media or Philosophy equals 3 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 5 points.
SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme)
Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for the Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS). Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, this may provide support for your course application.
Entry requirements (non year 12)
Admissions Criteria for applicants with a higher education study
Satisfactory completion of at least one year of tertiary study in a relevant field; and
Meets the VCE Maths and English requirement benchmarks.
Literacy and numeracy test: If VCE Maths and/or English requirements or equivalent have not been met, a Literacy and/or Numeracy assessment is required to demonstrate the pre-requisite requirements. Applicants required to complete the assessment will be notified.
Admissions Criteria for applicants with a vocational education and training study
- Successful completion of a TAFE qualification Certificate IV in a cognate or appropriate area, such as Community Services, Education Support, Children's Services, or Nursing; and at least one year of experience in a relevant area of education or support service and;
- Meets the VCE Maths and English requirement benchmarks.
OR
- Successful completion of a recognised TAFE Diploma program in a cognate or an appropriate area and;
- Meets the VCE Maths and English requirement benchmarks.
- Casper Test
Admissions Criteria for applicants with work and life experience
Applicants who have not completed secondary education, or undertaken any TAFE or university studies will not be eligible for this course.
English language requirements
IELTS score: Speaking 7.5, Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, and Writing 6.5.
Extra requirements
Essential requirements for selection and application
Casper Test (Altus Suite)
All applicants are required to complete Altus Suite as part of their application. Altus Suite is a requirement for many of the initial teacher training courses in Victoria. It is a non-cognitive online test designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes. To register for your sitting or for further information about the assessment, visit TakeAltus.com
Altus Suite
- Casper: 60-90 minute online, open-response situational judgment test (SJT)
Don't miss the deadlines for each offer round; https://takealtus.com/dates-times/
OR
Applicants can also have their non-academic capabilities assessed based on completion of a Non-Academic Requirements for Teacher Entry (NARTE) online questionnaire with the link to complete https://sai.incept.education/jfe/form/SV_beASVDpvkXHhx30#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=708fc718-1857-49ad-ba94-3da506080300
Essential requirements for enrolment and graduation
Literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE)
All students must satisfy National program standard requirements and attempt the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) test or provide evidence of First Nations language proficiency in the first year of enrolment.
To graduate from this course and be eligible to apply for provisional registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), the LANTITE test standard in both literacy and numeracy must be achieved. Students who have provided evidence of First Nations language proficiency are not required to undertake the LANTITE test.
Working with children check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional placements.
Police record check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements.
How you apply will depend on your current situation – school leaver, tertiary background or life experience – and whether you’re also applying for courses at other institutions. Visit our how to apply page to find out more.
Ready to fill out your application? You might need these codes:
- VTAC application
- Yes
- VTAC code
- 3701810841 - Berwick (on campus)
3700710841 - Gippsland (on campus)
3700510841 - Mt Helen (on campus)
3700810841 - Online - Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- TY5
Pathways to this course:
Candidates seeking alternate entry to this course can consider the below options:
| Defined TAFE pathway |
* 120 credit points is the equivalent of one-year full time study. |
| Other TAFE studies | Apply for a relevant TAFE course, at any TAFE provider, and then apply to articulate into this program. You may receive credit for TAFE studies undertaken, which will be individually assessed upon request, after you enrol in your bachelor level course. |
| University studies | Consider beginning your teaching studies with our pathway degree Bachelor of Education Studies. |
Credit will be considered if you have successfully completed higher education or TAFE studies relevant to this degree. Advanced standing will be determined on an individual basis, depending on your eligibility for credit transfer, prior experience and qualifications.
Hear from our students
Hi, my name is Maddie and I'm studying a Bachelor of Education. I'm specialising in inclusive Ed and I'm in my third year of studies. I chose to study at Fed Uni because it is close to home and because I had a few friends who were studying here as well. I would recommend federation to those considering studying because of the placement opportunities they have here. This year as part of my diversity placement I was given the opportunity to travel to the NT to a remote indigenous community. This option was available to all students in my degree in the third year and it was made even more accessible as the majority of the accommodation and flights were funded by the Uni Arunga. The community I was placed in was the most beautiful little community with wonderful students and incredible classroom facilities. I'm so glad and proud of myself for taking that leap of faith because now I have so many more skills and experiences under my belt. This opportunity will be something I'll happily share with anyone and we'll think about forever. I really couldn't recommend this programme more.