CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care for domestic students at WMIT Melbourne
Enrolling in the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care in Australia opens up numerous career opportunities.
Course Overview
The CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care in Melbourne is a nationally recognised Australian vocational qualification that reflects the role of educators working in regulated children’s education and care services across Australia. Designed for domestic students, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens, this childcare course in Melbourne is delivered in a blended mode combining online learning with face-to-face training and can be completed in 6 to 12 months. It equips graduates to support children’s wellbeing, development, and learning within an approved learning framework, as prescribed by ACECQA (the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority).
Early childhood educators completing this Certificate 3 in childcare apply a range of well-developed skills and professional knowledge, exercising sound discretion and judgment in their day-to-day work. They operate within the context of established policies and procedures and may work independently or under the guidance of a senior educator, including in settings where direct on-site supervision is not always available.
Graduates of this early childhood education course in Melbourne are qualified to work across a variety of regulated settings, including:
- ▸ Long-day care centres — full-day early education and care environments
- ▸ Family day care — home-based childcare services
- ▸ Pre-schools and kindergartens — early learning programmes for children aged 3–5
- ▸ Outside school hours care (OSHC) — before/after school and vacation care programmes
With Australia facing a projected shortage of nearly 100,000 early childhood educators by 2034, completing a Certificate III in Childcare in Melbourne at WMIT positions you at the forefront of one of the country’s fastest-growing and most essential industries. Whether you are starting a new career, re-entering the workforce, or moving into childcare from another field, this qualification is your entry point into the sector and the gateway to further study, including the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, which leads to room leader and educational leader roles.
WMIT’s Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care Melbourne combines flexible online study with face-to-face training and assessment at our Melbourne CBD campus, 474 Flinders St, making it easier to balance study with work and family commitments. The course includes a practical work placement in a regulated childcare service, and the 6 to 12 month duration depends on your study pace and any prior learning. If you are looking for a trusted Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care in Melbourne for domestic students, WMIT provides the structured support, hands-on placement, and nationally recognised qualification you need to launch your childcare career in Australia.
Program Overview
Entry Requirements
- Academic Requirements:
- Whilst there are no entry requirements stipulated in the training package, WMIT requires its Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care participants to meet the following criteria:
- 18 years or older at commencement of course.
- Completion Australian Year 11 or equivalent
- Additional Requirements:
- The student must have basic computer skills to use word processing software like Microsoft Word and the internet effectively for research.
- WMIT will conduct an LLN assessment of the student at the time of orientation to identify the support required by the students. This support will enable students to complete the qualification successfully within the required timeframe.
- For practical placement purposes, this vocational sector requires the following. Working with children check National Police Record Check Child Protection Training Certificate
Career Pathways & Education Pathways
- Once you have successfully completed the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care you can apply for jobs within the Childcare industry, which may include:
- Early childhood educator
- Family Day Care Educator
- Playgroup Supervisor
- Outside school hours care and vacation care workers
- The further study pathways available to students who undertake this qualification include:
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care OR
- Any other relevant qualification at Diploma level
The CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care requires the completion of the following 17 units (including 15 core and 2 electives).
Course Credit
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WMIT can grant you credit towards your course for units of competency that you have already completed with another RTO or authorised issuing organisation.
We can also grant you Credit for subjects or units you have completed where equivalence can be established between the unit in your course and the subject or unit you have completed. - There is no charge to apply for Credit.
- To apply, fill in the Credit Application Form and submit it as part of your enrolment.
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*Please refer to your Student Handbook for more information on Course Credit.
As an international student, you should note that where you are granted credit, this will reduce your course duration and you will be informed of this in writing.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where skills and knowledge that you have gained through work and life experience and other unrecognised training can be formally recognised.
- WMIT has a process that has been structured to minimise the time and cost to applicants and provides a supportive approach to students wishing to take up this option. You should ideally apply for RPL at the time of enrolment, but you may also apply up to 2 weeks into your course.
- During the entry process and interview stage for Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, WMIT will discuss with you the process and options for RPL. Suitability is often determined on how much experience you have in a certain area, your work history and previous training. If RPL is determined as a possibility for you, you will be provided with a kit that will guide you in working through each unit to determine relevant skills and experience and identify whether you would be able to provide the required evidence.
- A trainer/assessor will be available to assist you throughout this process.
- *Please refer to your Student Handbook for more information on RPL. As an international student you should note that where you are granted RPL this will reduce your course duration and you will be informed of this in writing.
Training & Placement Arrangements
Training Arrangements
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Class sessions are planned to ensure that student have a mixture of practical and theoretical components and those classes cater for a wide variety of learning styles. Additionally, workplace practices and environments will be regularly simulated and used to conduct skills based assessments in accordance with unit requirements.
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WMIT organises face to face training of 20 hours per week, all the international student must attend the classes to comply with student visa conditions.
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Homework tasks may include research, readings from related textbooks and continuing to work on assessment tasks.
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Students are provided with the Learner Guides for each unit to students to support their learning (these are included in the course fees).
Placement Arrangements
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Work Placement is an important component of the qualification that provides students with the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge in early childhood education and care setting. Students are required to complete a minimum 160 hours of work placement in a regulated Children’s Education and Care Services Centre in Australia for successful completion of the course.
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This work placement is only to be conducted in a regulated Children’s Education and Care Services Centre that has entered into a work placement agreement with WMIT.
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The students will be provided with Skills Workbook containing assessment tasks and activities to be completed during work placement and the students will need to complete the workplace tasks. WMIT trainer/assessor will visit and observe students in the workplace to determine the students’ competency in the practical component of the course. WMIT trainer/assessor will act as a liaison between the workplace, workplace supervisors and WMIT through emails, calls and compulsory visits.
Additional Support & Assessment Arrangements
Additional Support
All students will complete a language, literacy and numeracy assessment at orientation to determine their learning support needs as they pursue a Certificate III in Childcare in Melbourne. All students will be provided with a range of learning support options and resources to help you achieve competency. Where additional support needs have been identified an Individual Support Plan will be developed which may include:
Provision of additional support services will be provided where necessary to enable students to participate in the same way as any other person regardless of whether support services have been required.
Assessment Arrangement
There are a variety of assessment methods used for this qualification including:
Why Study Early Childhood Education
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Studying early childhood education involves acquiring the knowledge and practical skills necessary to support children during their most critical developmental years.
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The CHC30121 Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care gives you a solid foundation to work confidently in real learning environments while developing strong professional practice.
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By completing the Certificate III in Childcare in Melbourne, you’ll learn how to guide behaviour, support learning and create engaging, safe spaces for children. With strong industry demand across Melbourne, this qualification offers a clear path into meaningful work and sets you up for further study as your career grows
Course Details
Delivery Mode
This course will be delivered in a blended format, combining online and face-to-face training.
Delivery Location
Level 10, 474 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
AQF Level - V
Duration 6 - 12 Months
Course Fee
- Total Tuition Fees: $3250
- Admission Fee: $250.00
- Material Fee: $750.00
Payment Plan
- Non-refundable enrolment deposit (prior to commencement) – $250
- 4 equal instalments of tuition fee before the start of every term
Additional charges apply if students require
- Additional copies of a student’s qualification/record of results and/or statement of attainment. A cost of $50 per document applies, and $70 if express post is required.
- Printing costs may be required to complete assessments. Students may print and copy on campus for a cost of 15c per page; however, they may also use other printing facilities.
- If you’re looking for a trusted option for the Certificate III in Childcare in Melbourne, WMIT is here to support your journey every step of the way.
RPL Costs
- Application Fee – $250
- Charge per unit of competency – $400
- Nationally Recognised Training does not incur GST.
- Students will only be eligible to receive their qualification if fees have been paid in full and all course requirements have been met.
- *Please refer to your Student Handbook for our Fees and Refunds Policy.
Other costs (not included) to be aware of
- Please refer to the student handbook for guidance in relation to budgeting and planning.
- USB drives that students are required to use to submit their assessments. Students may bring their own or purchase nearby.
- Notebooks/pens/laptops* or other general stationery required for students to complete their work.
- *A note about computers: Many homework and assessment tasks require access to a computer and the internet; therefore, it is recommended that students bring or purchase a laptop if possible.
Inclusions
- Unless otherwise specified, tuition fees include all training and assessment as well as required resources and textbooks necessary for students to achieve the qualification or course in which they are enrolling.
- If students don’t have their own, they can use nearby public facilities, which are listed in the Student Handbook for their convenience. It is optional for students to bring a laptop to class; some students may choose to do so to keep their notes organised, but where a computer is required for class activities, the trainer/assessor will arrange to book the college computers for class sessions.
Take the Next Step with WMIT
- If you’re ready to start your career in early childhood education, this qualification gives you the foundation you need to work confidently in real early learning environments.
- By studying the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, you’ll build the practical skills and professional knowledge employers look for across Melbourne’s childcare sector. Whether you're planning to grow within the industry or progress to further study, this course opens doors to a wide range of rewarding opportunities.