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The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education (ECE) is a post-graduate qualification at Level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
The qualification aims to provide opportunities for self-motivated, socially engaged, knowledgeable and skilled teachers to develop their practice with the assistance of a university mentor and through engaged professional inquiry into their practice as an early childhood professional.
You are supported to build your expertise and inquire into your professional practice as a teacher in settings such as kindergartens, pre-schools and long day care centres, including special needs settings.
The course aims to foster early childhood professionals who:
• critically evaluate their practice and seek to maintain a learning culture
• are lifelong learners and contribute to a wide range of learning communities
• appreciate the learning needs of children as individuals, in groups, and in families and communities
• provide children with enriching, stimulating and motivating learning environments that will cater for their diverse needs
• have an understanding of the curriculum requirements of schools and early childhood settings
• are innovative and enterprising in planning and organising learning environments
• use integrated approaches to build on children’s skills and interests, using real-life situations to make learning engaging and relevant
• value the culturally specific knowledge about children and their identity, wellbeing, learning and development that is embedded in their communities
• use intentional teaching strategies that are always purposeful to support achievement of well-considered and identified goals
• create physical and social environments that expose children to learning experiences and physical activity, both indoors and outdoors in the natural world
• reflect on and inquire into their practice to build their expertise as effective teachers.
There are options to study full-time (one year) or part-time through blended delivery involving both online and on-campus study mode.
Most students are admitted on the basis of satisfactory completion of a three-year Bachelor in Early Childhood Education or a bachelor degree with a significant ECE component.
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education offers an upgrade to the equivalent of a four-year qualification for three-year qualified ECE teachers. This upgrade would secure an increase in pay for these teachers. The graduate diploma is also available to four-year qualified ECE teachers looking to complete a post-graduate qualification at diploma level.
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.
You’d be looking at about 25-30 hours per week (if you’re full time), but this includes on-campus classes and self-directed study (i.e. homework).
Successful completion of a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education.
Overall IELTS band score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
Direct application: Yes
Federation University code: TJ4
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.
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 structure section above links to the EFTSL, Band and fee for each unit or you can use our unit search to find these details.
You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
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.
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Your previous studies might count towards this course (which means you could finish it sooner). Use our credit search to find out if that’s the case.
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.
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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.