Key information
Start dates
March
Delivery mode
In person
(Bedford Park, City)
Online
In-demand careers start with Early Childhood Education
Graduates of the Bachelor of Flinders’ Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) are qualified to work as early childhood teachers in long day care, preschool, kindergarten, and early learning settings. With a growing demand for skilled educators across Australia, you'll be prepared for a meaningful and rewarding career, shaping the lives of children in their most important developmental years. This degree is also a pathway to leadership roles in early childhood services or further study in education, leadership, or special education.
Early Childhood Teacher
As an early childhood teacher, you'll play a vital role in shaping the foundational years of children aged birth to five, designing play-based learning programs that nurture curiosity, creativity, and social-emotional development.
Whether working in kindergartens, preschools or long day care settings, you’ll support children’s growth while building meaningful relationships with families and communities, contributing to lifelong learning outcomes.
Assistant Director in an Early Childhood Service
As an Early Childhood Service Assistant Director, you’ll support the daily operations of an early childhood service, helping to create a high-quality, inclusive learning environment for children aged birth to five.
Working alongside the Director, you’ll help manage staff, guide curriculum planning, ensure compliance with national standards, and build strong relationships with families and the community. It’s a rewarding leadership role that blends your passion for early childhood education with the opportunity to support and inspire a team.
Sources: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025 | Seek Australia, 2025
Child Development Specialist
Child development specialists support children’s growth by identifying developmental needs early and working with families and educators to create tailored strategies. Drawing on knowledge of child psychology and behaviour, they help foster learning and wellbeing across early childhood settings. This role is often based in community services or allied health environments, making a real difference in children’s lives.
Play Therapist
Play therapists use structured, therapeutic play to help children express emotions, process experiences, and build resilience. With further study in counselling or therapy, you could support children facing trauma, anxiety, or behavioural challenges in a safe, creative, and developmentally appropriate way.
Early Years Curriculum Advisor
Early Years Curriculum Advisors design, review, and support the implementation of programs aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Working with educators, they provide training and resources to enhance learning outcomes and ensure engaging, high-quality early education across services and communities.
What will you study to start your career in early childhood education?
Study a variety of core topics and electives and get hands-on experience with professional placements.
Accreditation or Professional Recognition
This degree is accredited by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
This accreditation means you’ll graduate with a recognised qualification that prepares you to work as a qualified early childhood teacher across a range of settings. You’ll be eligible to apply for teacher registration with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia and meet ACECQA’s employment criteria—giving you a strong foundation to pursue teaching roles locally, interstate, or even overseas.*
*Additional conditions may apply outside of South Australia.
ACECQA
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority
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Frequently asked questions.
Over the years, many questions have been asked by students before. For the quickest answers view our frequently asked questions or browse the full list @ Ask Flinders.
Yes, there is strong and ongoing demand for qualified early childhood educators in Australia. The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector has been identified as a critical area for workforce development by the Australian Government. A recent capacity study by Jobs and Skills Australia highlights the need for more skilled professionals to meet the growing demand for quality early learning services
Graduates with a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) are well-positioned to enter a rewarding and essential profession that supports the development and wellbeing of Australia’s youngest learners.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, early childhood teaching jobs are set to increase from May 2024 – 2034 by 8.6%
(Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024 Employment projections to 2034).
A Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) from Flinders University opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities in the early childhood sector. Graduates are qualified to work in:
- Preschools and kindergartens
- Long day care centres
- Early learning centres
- Family day care services
- Government and non-government education agencies.
This degree also meets the requirements for registration as an early childhood teacher in Australia, allowing graduates to work in both urban and regional settings. Beyond direct teaching roles, the qualification can lead to leadership positions, curriculum development, policy advisory roles, and further study in education or child development.
With a growing emphasis on the importance of early years education, this degree offers a pathway to a meaningful career that makes a lasting impact on children, families, and communities.
According to SEEK, in Australia, the average annual salary for an early childhood teacher is typically around $90,000 per year.
Flinders offers a range of student support services including academic advice and guidance, counselling, career guidance, and assistance with placement arrangements to help you succeed throughout your studies.
Applicants must complete a non-academic assessment task known as a Teaching Capabilities Statement as part of their application to demonstrate their motivation to teach, their strong interpersonal and communication skills, willingness to learn, resilience, self-efficacy, and strong organisational and planning skills. This involves a short statement in response to three set questions used to demonstrate suitability for study and work in the teaching profession.
Applicants who select this course as a preference during the application process will be directed to a page to meet this requirement.
Visit the Teaching Capabilities Statement page for further information
- Applications are completed via SATAC
- Visit: satac.edu.au
The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2025. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.
Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published
| ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds | ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors | Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer | 97.55 | 99.95 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | 78.55 | 82.97 |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | 60.85 | 70.15 |
| Applicant background (Semester 1, 2025) | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 136 | 32% |
| Vocational education and training (VET) study | 30 | 7% |
| Work and life experience | 12 | 3% |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | 156 | 37% |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test) | 25 | 6% |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways) | 44 | 10% |
| International Students | 20 | 5% |
| All students | 423 | 100% |
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South Australia 5042
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