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E&Education & Teaching · CHC50121

Become a Qualified Early Childhood Education Professional

The CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care builds the skills to lead, teach, and coordinate in early childhood settings across Australia.

Flexible
CHC50121National Code
52 WeeksCourse Duration
280 hrsWork Placement
BlendedDelivery
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What You Get

Everything That Comes With This Course

Work Placement Organised by MCIE

MCIE Work Placement Officers will facilitate work placement for students into early childhood environments. MCIE organises placement with host employers.

Direct Pathway to Victoria University

Provides a direct pathway into Victoria University's Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (reduced from 3 years to 2 years) or extended Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership (reduced from 4 years to 3 years).

Blended and Online Self-Paced Delivery

Program is delivered as blended training, both in-person on campus and remotely in real-time via Microsoft Teams, with online self-paced options available.

Support for Students with Disabilities

MCIE welcomes all people with disabilities, learning differences and medical conditions. Acceptance subject to ability to undertake all program requirements with reasonable adjustments where applicable.

Earn & Learn Recruitment Access

The provider has a large network of domestic marketing partners and international education agents/partners across multiple countries facilitating student enrolments.

Career & Employment Support

Melbourne City Institute of Education provides dedicated career services including job search assistance, resume writing, and interview preparation to help graduates find employment.

Student Wellbeing Support

Committed ongoing support to participants whilst training; post placement support available.

280 Hours Of Work Placement

MCIE will organise work placement with one of their host employers. MCIE Work Placement Officers will facilitate placement into early childhood environments.

Funding May Apply

You may be eligible under Victorian Government Subsidised Training. Your eligibility is confirmed when you enquire.

Where This Can Take You

The Roles This Qualification Opens

Roles this nationally recognised qualification can lead to. Salary ranges are published by the provider; market figures come from public Australia data (Jobs and Skills Australia).

252k+Employed across these occupations (AU)
4.5–12.1%Projected 10-year job growth (JSA)
$55,700Median income in the first year after training (NCVER, 2025)
In national shortage
Educational Leader
79,800 employed · +12.1% growth over 10 years
In shortage in some regions
Early Childhood Educator · Group, Team or Room Leader
172,400 employed · +4.5% growth over 10 years
Early Childhood Centre Manager
$77,688+ a year
Average weekly earnings of $1,494. There are currently 24,500 Child Care Centre Managers in Australia.
Nominated SupervisorEarly Childhood Centre Coordinator

Market figures are indicative, from Jobs and Skills Australia projections, shortage ratings and vacancy data. Salary ranges are indicative and vary by state, setting and experience. No specific job, salary or outcome is guaranteed.

What You'll Learn

The 15 Units Behind The Qualification

Every unit is nationally recognised and sits on your transcript individually, which matters for credit and recognition later.

15Total Units
12Core Units
3Electives
280Placement Hours

Core Units

CHCECE042Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing
CHCECE048Plan and implement children's education and care curriculum
CHCECE047Analyse information to inform children's learning
CHCECE043Nurture creativity in children
CHCECE041Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children
CHCECE049Embed environmental responsibility in service operations
CHCPRP003Reflect on and improve own professional practice
CHCECE045Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children

 

CHCECE046Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children
CHCECE050Work in partnership with children's families
CHCECE044Facilitate compliance in a children's education and care service
BSBTWK502Manage team effectiveness

Elective Units

CHCPOL002Develop and implement policy
CHCMGT003Lead the work team
BSBSTR501Establish innovative work environments
After This Course

Where It Leads Next

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Reduced from 3 years to 2 years with this diploma. Offered through Victoria University.

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership (Extended)

Reduced from 4 years to 3 years with this diploma. Offered through Victoria University.

From Past Students

What Students Say About It

Very qualified and great support. I am a student of MCIE, I am currently doing the Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, my trainer is Sumita and the centre is absolutely great and the trainer is well qualified and helps us in each and every step throughout the process.
Suganthi Krishna Prakash · Provider Website
Amazing faculty, structured courses and responsible staff. I joined diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. The course is well structured and the my trainer is very friendly. I like the way she is teaching. I definitely recommend this institute.
Radhika · Provider Website
Before You Enquire

Eligibility And The First Steps

Before You Apply

18 or over at enrolment
Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Meet language, literacy and numeracy standards for this level
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Must complete a Pre-Training Review
Must meet Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skill standards

How It Starts

01
Enquire or apply online
02
Complete a Pre-Training Review
03
Demonstrate LLN skill standards
04
Obtain or provide USI number
05
Enrol and pay fees
The Money Part

Ways To Pay For It

Pay Upfront

Confirmed by the provider when you enquire.

Government Subsidised Fee – Regional VIC

Subsidised fee for eligible students. Confirmed by the provider when you enquire.

Government Subsidised Fee – Melbourne Metropolitan

Subsidised fee for eligible students. Confirmed by the provider when you enquire.

Includes additional resources required for the program and student ID charges. MCIE T-shirt $40 additional.

Exact fees, plans and any funding eligibility are confirmed by the provider when you enquire. No payment is made through Get Course.

Before You Ask

Questions People Ask First

What are the entry requirements for this diploma?

Entry requirements can vary depending on your background and prior qualifications. The course welcomes students with disabilities, learning differences, and medical conditions, with reasonable adjustments available. Submit an enquiry to confirm the current entry requirements before you apply.

How much does the diploma cost?

Pricing is not listed here as it can vary based on your circumstances, eligibility for government funding, and enrolment timing. Submit an enquiry to get up-to-date pricing details and find out whether you may be eligible for subsidised fees.

How long does the course take to complete?

The course runs for 52 weeks. Delivery is self-paced within that structure, so your actual progress may vary. Submit an enquiry to confirm how the schedule works in practice.

How is the course delivered?

Delivery is blended, combining on-campus sessions with live online classes via Microsoft Teams. Self-paced online study is also available. Melbourne City Institute of Education delivers all components of the course.

How does work placement work?

The course includes 280 hours of supervised work placement in early childhood environments. Melbourne City Institute of Education's Work Placement Officers organise placement with host employers on your behalf. Submit an enquiry to find out how placements are scheduled around your availability.

What careers can this qualification lead to?

The CHC50121 prepares graduates for roles including Early Childhood Educator, Room Leader, Educational Leader, Centre Coordinator, and Centre Manager. This qualification does not guarantee employment.

About This Course

What This Course Is Really About

This diploma covers child development, educational programming, inclusive practice, and leadership in early childhood settings. Students complete 280 hours of supervised work placement in real early childhood environments. The placement is organised on your behalf, so you can focus on learning.

Delivered by Melbourne City Institute of Education, the course suits people entering the sector and those already working in it. Blended delivery combines on-campus sessions with live online classes via Microsoft Teams, plus self-paced online study. The program runs for 52 weeks.

Graduates who want to continue studying can move directly into Victoria University's Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, saving up to a full year of study time. Students with disabilities, learning differences, or medical conditions are welcomed, with reasonable adjustments available.

The College Behind It

Delivered By A Registered Training Organisation

MC
Melbourne City Institute of Education
RTO 22172
In-house career services: job search, resume and interview preparation
Earn & Learn, the college's own recruitment service
Committed ongoing support to participants whilst training; post placement support available.
Nationally Recognised TrainingITECALes Toques BlanchesAustralian Culinary FederationCPA Australia
No Pressure, Just Answers

The Enquiry Is The Eligibility Check

You don't need to have decided to get the answers. One short form, and the provider comes back with your fees, funding eligibility and a realistic study plan.

Enquire Now →
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Course information on this page is sourced from the education provider and was last verified on 28 July 2026. Details including pricing, availability, entry requirements and course content may change without notice. Get Course is a directory service that connects students with course providers; we do not deliver courses directly. Contact the provider for the most current information before enrolling.