Early Childhood Education & Care

Industry Overview

The Children’s education and care sector is large, diverse and growing. There are a range of operations including private businesses, community and non-profit organisations, state/territory and local governments, and public, independent and private schools. Service types recognised within the National Quality Framework (NQF) are Long-Day Care (LDC), Family Day Care (FDC), Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) and Preschools/Kindergartens.

The sector expects to experience strong growth over the next five years. Early childhood (pre-primary school) teacher job roles will experience the largest relative growth in the sector, growing by 22% or reaching 9,000 jobs by 2023. In absolute terms, child carers are expected to experience the largest surge in jobs, with a forecast of 27,600 jobs growth by 2023. Other noteworthy strong job growth trends over the next five years will be experienced by education aides (20.8% or 18,800 jobs), child care centre managers (20.9% growth to 16,000 jobs), primary school teachers (9.6% or 16,300 jobs) and secondary school teachers (7.1% or 9,900 jobs). (National Industry Insights, 2020)

Insights

Average weekly earnings:  $1,272 per week (Childcare Centre Managers); $953/ week (Childcare Workers); $1,488/ week (Early childhood teachers)

Mode of work: Around half work full-time

Hours per week: full-time workers spend around 42 hours/ week at work

Age: the average age is 33-40 years.

Gender: 95% workers are female

(Source: Joboutlook.gov.au)

Qualification Needed

Childcare Centre Manager: Diploma in Early Childhood to work. However, for visa purposes, Bachelor degree or Higher in Early childhood is required.

Childcare Workers: Certificate III or IV in Early Childhood Education and care.

Early Childhood Teacher: bachelor degree in education majoring in early education to work as an Early Childhood Teacher

Course Overview

Studies in early childhood education and care will teach you how to communicate with children, use social media tools for engagement, ensure the health and safety of children, nurture creativity, foster learning and development and provide care.

Course Requirements

Trade Courses: Most institutions require completion of an Australian Year 11 or 12 equivalent, as well as a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or 6 with no band score less than 5.5

Bachelor Degree or Higher: most institutions require completion of an Australia Year 12 or equivalent, as well as IELTS score of 6.5 – 7.5, with no band score less than 6 or 7, depending on the institution.

Costs

A 2-year packaged trade course costs between $13,000 and $19,000 per year, depending on the institution.

Bachelor level: cost between $22,000 to $39,000 per year, depending on the institution.

Career Outcomes and PR prospects

Child Care Centre Manager
Child Care Worker

Early Childhood Teacher