Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

Graduate Diploma in

Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

Graduate Diploma in

Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

Transition from primary or secondary teaching to early childhood education with 1 year of online study.
Gain practical skills with flexible placement options.

Apply now

Enquire now

Fast Facts

Entry requirements

Bachelor degree in Education

See entry requirements

Duration

1 year

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

March, July

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$23,292 (FFP)
$4,624 (CSP) ^

Available for mid-year entry?

Yes

Duration

1 year

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

March, July

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$23,292 (FFP)
$4,624 (CSP) ^

Available for mid-year entry?

Yes

^Government subsidies enable Flinders to offer Domestic applicants a reduction of up to 80% off full course fees through Commonwealth Supported Places. Offer subject to change.

Overview

Overview Course details Career opportunities Your academics Entry requirements Enquire now

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Study Flinders’ NEW Graduate Diploma in
Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

Transition to early childhood education.

Study Flinders’ NEW Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

Transition to early childhood education.

Transition to early childhood education with your existing primary or secondary teaching degree by studying the 1-year Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5).

Gain practical experience and broaden your teaching opportunities in early learning settings.

Study online at your own pace while continuing to work, with flexible placement options and a curriculum based on the latest research.

Up to $9,000 in financial support may be available to SA residents through the QualifySA in Early Childhood initiative. Learn More.

What you will study

You’ll complete 8 topics and gain hands-on experience with 60 days of work placements to develop skills that will impact children's lives.

You'll learn to inspire and nurture young minds, creating inclusive environments that celebrate differences. You'll engage in exciting projects, design play-based learning experiences, and explore the significance of Indigenous knowledge.

What you will study

You’ll complete 8 topics and gain hands-on experience with 60 days of work placements to develop skills that will impact children's lives.

You'll learn to inspire and nurture young minds, creating inclusive environments that celebrate differences. You'll engage in exciting projects, design play-based learning experiences, and explore the significance of Indigenous knowledge

First half of the year:

Contemporary Early Childhood Curriculum and Pedagogy
Reading and Writing Through Play
Researching Play and Pedagogies
Knowing the Literate and Numerate Infant

Second half of the year:

Playing on Country GE
Pedagogies of Belonging
Professional Experience 1 (Early Childhood)
Early Learning in STEM

First half of the year:

Contemporary Early Childhood Curriculum and Pedagogy
Reading and Writing Through Play
Researching Play and Pedagogies
Knowing the Literate and Numerate Infant

Second half of the year:

Playing on Country GE
Pedagogies of Belonging
Professional Experience 1 (Early Childhood)
Early Learning in STEM

Apply now

Course handbook

Your career

This degree equips you to pursue a career in early childhood teaching in long-day care centres, kindergartens, and preschool programs.

Your experience teaching in primary or secondary settings can open doors to leadership, policy or advisory roles in early childhood education.

Your career

This degree equips you to pursue a career in early childhood teaching in long-day care centres, kindergartens, and preschool programs.

Your experience teaching in primary or secondary settings can open doors to leadership, policy or advisory roles in early childhood education.

Potential occupations

Teacher in Long-day Care or Early Learning Centre

$88,000*

Kindergarten or Preschool Teacher

$88,000*

Curriculum and Policy Adviser

$108,000*

Director, Assistant Director or Manager at an Early Learning Centre

$100,000*

Childcare Centre Manager

$95,000*

Childcare Educator

$68,000*

*Typical salaries are drawn from a variety of sources, including Seek, Glassdoor and Indeed, and may vary. Please do your own research.

Potential employers

Long-day childcare centres
Preschools
Kindergartens
Early learning centres
Government
Not-for-profits

Professional accreditations

This degree is accredited by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.

This academic qualification enables registered teachers to qualify to teach early childhood education, gaining employment in the sector whilst using existing teacher registration.

ACECQA

Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority

Potential occupations

Teacher in Long-day Care or Early Learning Centre

$88,000*

Kindergarten or Preschool Teacher

$88,000*

Curriculum and Policy Adviser

$108,000*

Director, Assistant Director or Manager at an Early Learning Centre

$100,000*

Childcare Centre Manager

$95,000*

Childcare Educator

$68,000*

*Typical salaries are drawn from a variety of sources, including Seek, Glassdoor and Indeed, and may vary. Please do your own research.

Potential employers

Long-day childcare centres
Preschools
Kindergartens
Early learning centres
Government
Not-for-profits

Professional accreditations

This degree is accredited by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.

This academic qualification enables registered teachers to qualify to teach early childhood education, gaining employment in the sector whilst using existing teacher registration.

ACECQA

Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority

ACECQA

Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority

Practical experience

The course includes 60 days of professional placements in your home-town, providing real-world experience in early childhood education settings.

This ensures you graduate with practical, hands-on teaching skills. There is flexibility in how these 60 days are completed, allowing you to work through options with Flinders’ placement team to fit around your current teaching role where possible.

Practical requirement

Child-Related Employment Screening

All Flinders University pre-service teachers must obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) from the Department for Human Service (DHS) Screening Unit and a Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect: Education and Care (RRHAN-EC) from a registered provider before undertaking their professional experience placements.

This is a requirement of the Department for Education (DfE), in agreement with the Catholic Education and Independent Schools Boards. Pre-service teachers who are not cleared will therefore not be able to complete the requirements of the course.

Instructions about applications are provided on the professional experience website.

Flinders University is a future
you can count on

Flinders University is a future you can count on

No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment*.

Flexible online study - study anywhere, anytime and start, stop and restart your studies when life allows.

Your skills will be in high demand, with job growth of 11.7% projected for Early Childhood Teachers over the next ten years**.

Flinders University is ranked No. 1 in South Australia in Education & Training for learning resources, overall educational experience and teaching quality***.

Financial support - Up to $14,500 available for SA residents through the QualifySA initiative.

Get work-ready with professional experience placements in a variety of early childhood settings, where you learn practical skills, put theory into practice, and develop important relationships with fellow students, parents and staff.

No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment*.

Flexible online study - study anywhere, anytime and start, stop and restart your studies when life allows.

Your skills will be in high demand, with job growth of 11.7% projected for Early Childhood Teachers over the next ten years**.

Flinders University is ranked No. 1 in South Australia in Education & Training for learning resources, overall educational experience and teaching quality***.

Financial support - Up to $14,500 available for SA residents through the QualifySA initiative.

Get work-ready with professional experience placements in a variety of early childhood settings, where you learn practical skills, put theory into practice, and develop important relationships with fellow students, parents and staff.

*QILT 2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-longitudinal

**Source: Jobs and Skills Australia 2023 employment projections to May 2033

***The Good Universities Guide 2025 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to the industry.

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to the industry.

Rachael Hedger

Course Coordinator

Rachael Hedger is Course Coordinator and a senior lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Flinders University. With extensive experience as a Preschool Room Leader and primary school teacher in both Australia and the UK, Rachael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her role, ensuring you'll receive a comprehensive and engaging education.

See full profile

Rachael Hedger

Course Coordinator

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Rachael Hedger is Course Coordinator and a senior lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Flinders University. With extensive experience as a Preschool Room Leader and primary school teacher in both Australia and the UK, Rachael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her role, ensuring you'll receive a comprehensive and engaging education.

See full profile

Dr Timna Garnett

Senior Lecturer

Timna is a passionate senior lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Flinders University, specialising in science and technology. Her extensive experience and research in STEM learning, conservation education, and digital technologies will provide you with innovative and practical teaching strategies. Timna's expertise ensures you are well-prepared to inspire and educate young minds effectively.

See full profile

Dr Timna Garnett

Lecturer

Show less

Timna is a passionate senior lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Flinders University, specialising in science and technology. Her extensive experience and research in STEM learning, conservation education, and digital technologies will provide you with innovative and practical teaching strategies. Timna's expertise ensures you are well-prepared to inspire and educate young minds effectively.

See full profile

Linda Gray

Lecturer

Linda is an early childhood lecturer who teaches early childhood curriculum with a focus on mathematics and community partnerships. As Academic Professional Experience Coordinator, she ensures third and final year students are well-prepared for their teaching careers. Linda is dedicated to fostering student success and support.

See full profile

Linda Gray

Lecturer

Show less

Linda is an early childhood lecturer who teaches early childhood curriculum with a focus on mathematics and community partnerships. As Academic Professional Experience Coordinator, she ensures third and final year students are well-prepared for their teaching careers. Linda is dedicated to fostering student success and support.

See full profile

Entry requirements

To enter this course, applicants must have at least one of the following:

Hold a bachelor’s degree in Initial Teacher Education or
Hold an equivalent Initial Teacher Education qualification.

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

What practical experience will I gain during the course?

The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) includes 60 days of professional placements in your hometown, providing real-world experience in early childhood education settings.

What career opportunities are available after completing the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)? 

Graduates can work as early childhood educators in settings like long-day care centres, kindergartens, and preschool programs. Your primary or secondary teaching experience can also lead to leadership roles in early childhood settings.

Is this degree approved by ACECQA? 

Yes – the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) is accredited by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Who is the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) designed for? 

This degree is designed for current primary or secondary teachers who want to transition into early childhood education.

Does this qualification lead to teacher registration? 

No, the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) does not lead to teacher registration. It broadens the range of settings an already qualified school teacher can work in.

Are HELP Loans available?

Yes, government-supported HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP loan area available to help eligible students pay for their higher education tuition fees.

HECS-HELP is for students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) to cover their student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP is for eligible domestic fee-paying students to cover their full tuition fees.

Both loans are indexed to reflect changes in the cost of living but are otherwise interest free. HELP Loans must be repaid through the tax system once your income reaches a certain threshold, with payments increasing as your earnings rise.

How to apply?

Select your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.

Check the key application and enrolment dates.

Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.

Who is eligible to apply?

Flinders Online courses are available for Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas and Pacific Engagement visa holders.

International students in Australia who hold a student visa are not eligible to apply.

For further information regarding course eligibility, refer to the individual entry requirements for each course.

When do I apply?

You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and by no later than teaching commencement dates. If places fill, applications for your preferred start date may close without notice and you will be considered for the next available intake.

Semester 1: teaching commences 2 March 2026 – Applications close 27 February 2026

Please refer to the individual Flinders Online course for more information.

Other critical and key dates

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted directly with Flinders.

You can apply for up to three courses in order of preference in your application. More information is available in the Application Guide.

Flinders Online Application guide

I've applied - what happens next?

Normally, we will inform you of the outcome of your application within 3-5 working days after submission. However, we’re currently experiencing high demand so offers may not be processed for up to 10-15 days.

If further information is required, we will contact you via email with details on what is needed and how to provide it.