Course essentials
Entry requirements
Credit
A full-time study load is 120 credits a year (usually four 15-credit units each semester). 120 credits equal one equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL). Each credit point equals about 10 hours of learning, so a 15-credit unit means roughly 150 hours.
Study mode
Study modes tell you how teaching and learning will be delivered for your course and include where and when classes can be scheduled, what you'll do and the tech you'll use.
Duration
Start dates
26 July 2027
Locations
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Course overview
Shape the future of young learners with the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education – a comprehensive degree that equips diploma-qualified educators with the skills to teach and inspire children from birth to five years, including their transition to school.
Delivered through flexible, on-campus study, this program combines academic depth with extensive hands-on experience, including 80 days of supervised professional placement across diverse early childhood education and care (ECEC) services – from infants and toddlers to preschool-aged children – ensuring you graduate ready to teach.
There are a variety of supports available to help you through your studies. You will be assigned a qualified university mentor who will visit you at your ECEC service to provide support and help you translate theory into practice in the workplace.
With Federation University’s unique co-op model, students are employed in ACECQA-approved ECEC services, gaining placement opportunities that connect theory with real-world practice. You’ll develop knowledge and expertise across areas such as child development and care, teaching pedagogies, curriculum, family and community contexts, history and philosophy of early childhood, and professional practice – preparing you to create innovative and responsive learning programs. Graduates can be registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), opening doors to a rewarding career as an early childhood teacher in kindergartens, preschools and special needs settings.
This course is supported by the Victorian Department of Education’s Early Childhood Tertiary Partnership Program.
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
MAYA ANTOUN
Career paths
Professional recognition
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) considers six content areas as part of the accreditation process. Early childhood teaching qualifications comprise a mix of curriculum, learning and pedagogical theory, professional studies, practicum experiences, and cultural studies.
The content areas are:
1. Child development and care
2. Teaching pedagogies
3. Education and curriculum studies
4. Family and community contexts
5. History and philosophy of early childhood
6. Early childhood professional practice
Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
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)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Semester 2, 2027
26 July 2027
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat. Testing.
Contact hours
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
The course’s co-op model is designed so that students already working in an ACECQA accredited ECEC service, including those working part time (e.g. returning from parental leave), can undertake the degree while working and completing placements. Each unit features a distinctive embedded placement component. Through these placements, students can apply theory in authentic settings, with their learning assessed in the workplace. ECEC services and university mentors actively support these experiences and oversee placements, ensuring students receive meaningful, guided practice that reinforces and extends their academic study. Students gain practical experience by working above their scope of practice at their current place of employment, with embedded placements throughout their degree.
Students can be paid during placement by their employer at their workplace, when completing placement in their setting. All other placements are unpaid but domestic students may be eligible for Commonwealth Practicum Payment.
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.
- Learning and Teaching15 credit pointsEDBED1016
- Foundations of Language and Literacy15 credit pointsEDECE2022
- The Early Childhood Professional15 credit pointsEDECE2023
- Guiding Behaviour15 credit pointsEDECE3022
- Planning, Supporting and Assessing15 credit pointsEDECE1020
- Health and Safety in Early Childhood15 credit pointsEDECE2019
- Diversity: Children, Families and Communities15 credit pointsEDECE2001
- Wellbeing in Early Childhood Contexts15 credit pointsEDECE2021
- Play, Learning and Development30 credit pointsECCOP2001
- Numeracy and Digital Technology30 credit pointsECCOP2002
- Relationships with children, families and community30 credit pointsECCOP2301
- Art, movement and music30 credit pointsECCOP2004
- Early Childhood Language and Literacies30 credit pointsECCOP2003
- Diversity and inclusion30 credit pointsECCOP2302
- Science, Environments and Nature Pedagogy30 credit pointsECCOP3001
- Ethical Teaching and Leadership30 credit pointsECCOP3002
Entry requirements
Entry requirements (non year 12)
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training study
Successful completion of a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
AND
Meets the VCE Maths and English requirement benchmarks of Units 3 and 4 and a study score of at least 20 in any English; and 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;
OR
If VCE Maths and/or English requirements have not been met, a literacy and/or numeracy assessment is required to demonstrate the prerequisite requirements.
Applicants must be currently employed and working at least 30 days per semester in an ACECQA approved early childhood setting.
Further information on how to apply
Applicants are also required to complete a Workplace agreement form
English language requirements
IELTS score: Speaking 7.5, Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5 and Writing 6.5
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:
- Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- UK5
Defined TAFE pathway: A defined TAFE pathway program exists for this degree. Please note that additional essential requirements for admission may apply following completion of this pathway. CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care | credit for 120 credit points
Students will get credit for: EDECE2022 Foundations of Language and Literacy, EDECE2023 The Early Childhood Professional, EDECE3022 Guiding Behaviours, EDBED1016 Learning and Teaching, EDECE1020 Planning, Supporting and Assessing, EDECE2019 Health and Safety in Early Childhood, EDECE2021 Wellbeing in Early Childhood Contexts, EDECE2001 Diversity: Children, Families and Communities.
The course design has been shaped by extensive consultation with industry stakeholders.
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.