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.

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Entry requirements

Key information

VIEWING DOMESTICINTERNATIONAL

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in Initial Teacher Education

See entry requirements Download brochure

Direct Entry

Yes

Duration

1 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)

Start Dates

March

July

Annual Fees

2025 : $23,292 (CSP)

2025 : (FFP)

Delivery mode

Online

Practical experience

Not available

Study abroad

Not available

English language requirements

English language requirements by country

Why study Early Childhood Education at Flinders?

Fast-track your transition into early childhood education. Designed for qualified primary or secondary teachers, this one-year online diploma equips you with the specialist knowledge and practical placement experience to teach children from birth to five - including immersive insights into Indigenous pedagogies and relational teaching practices.

Specialise in early childhood from the start

Focus your studies on play-based learning, child development and inclusive teaching for children aged Birth–5.

Transition your teaching skills in 1 year

Shift your primary or secondary teaching expertise into early childhood with just 12 months of online study and practical placements.

Learn through inquiry and reflection

Explore research-informed, play-based approaches and embed Indigenous ways of knowing, so you can design learning experiences that really make an impact.

Graduate confident and career-ready

With up to 60 days of placement and a program aligned with ACECQA and teacher registration standards, you’ll finish ready to step straight into the classroom.

Scholarships are a great way to ease the financial challenges of university study

Flinders has scholarships for high achievers, those in need of financial aid, indigenous, rural, and STEM students.

Find out if you're eligible.

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.

Course handbook

Year 1

Core Topics

Early childhood pedagogy
Reading and writing
Play and pedagogies
Literacy and numeracy
Playing on country
Pedagogies of belonging
STEM
Professional experience

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

You could be a

Expected salary
$100,000^*

Expected salary
$108,000^*

Expected salary
$95,000^*

Expected salary
$88,000^*

Expected salary
$68,000^*

Potential occupations

You could be a

Expected salary
$100,000^*

Expected salary
$108,000^*

Expected salary
$95,000^*

Expected salary
$88,000^*

Expected salary
$68,000^*

Potential employers

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

Professional accreditations

This academic qualification will enable you to apply for registration with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia, and for registration in most other states in Australia.

You are advised to check registration requirements, as they are subject to change.

Graduates meet The Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) employment criteria.

Industry-relevant experience

Practical experience
Practical assessments

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.

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.

Connect with industry

Through strong connections with early learning centres and schools, the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education offers valuable opportunities to put your knowledge into practice. You’ll take part in professional placements that build your teaching skills, grow your confidence in real settings, and connect you with educators and organisations that can shape your future career.

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.

^{*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 industry.

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.

Dr Timna Garnett

Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education

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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.

Linda Gray

Early Childhood Lecturer

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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.

Get inspired

Discover more about Teaching at Flinders.

Vittoria Barbara
Master of Teaching graduate

The lecturers and tutors were such great mentors. They had lived experience - they'd worked in the field, so they had so much experience to pass on.

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.

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.

How to apply in 4 easy steps

Step 1

Choose your course

Select your preferred course.

Step 2

Requirements

Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.

Step 3

Key dates

Confirm the key application and enrolment dates.

Step 4

Submit application

Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.

Apply now 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 3 March 2025 – Applications close 28 February 2025
Semester 2: teaching commences 28 July 2025 – Applications close 25 July 2025

Some courses have non-standard semester commencement dates as follows:

February Study Period: teaching commences 24 February 2025 – Applications close 21 February 2025
June Study Period: teaching commences 30 June 2025 – Applications close 27 June 2025
September Study Period: teaching commences 29 September 2025 – Applications close 26 September 2025

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.

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

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.