Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program

Are you looking for a rewarding career in early childhood education? The Victorian Government is supporting a range of different courses through the Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships (ECTP) program. Each course has been designed to provide the kind of benefits and supports that you might need while you study.

The program is delivered through universities, TAFEs and RTOS across Victoria, with some tertiary providers delivering in targeted locations to meet areas of high demand.

Choosing the course that is right for you

You can choose from a range of different course and provider options to suit your needs, such as:

'learn and earn’ as an in-service trainee while studying
study locally or for free by accessing Free TAFE courses in early childhood education in your local area
choose a format and pace that suits you, whether online or on-the-job, part-time or full-time
benefit from customised programs that set you up for success, including mentoring, job-ready training or tailored recruitment advice
apply for generous scholarships of up to $25,000 to support you while you learn and transition to work, where eligible
access additional learning support and childcare, where available.

The ECTP program also includes a range of tertiary courses for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds by providing additional support, such as:

in-language supports to enrol and complete your studies
academic and workplace mentors who are culturally responsive.

Who can apply

Opportunities to work in early childhood education are available across Victoria for:

new students, including people with a range of backgrounds and experiences
educators who are interested in upskilling by earning a higher vocational qualification
educators who are interested in upskilling to become an early childhood teacher, by completing a teaching qualification
degree-qualified people who are looking to upgrade their qualification or move into a teaching role from other disciplines.

Learn more about becoming an educator or an early childhood teacher through the ECTP program.

Become an educator

To become an early childhood educator, you need to complete either a:

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, or
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

Follow the link to learn more about a career as an educator.

How to apply

Applications to enrol can be made directly through the university, TAFE or RTO weblink below.

If you wish to look at other providers who deliver Certificate III and Diploma courses, outside of the ECTP Program, visit Find an early childhood education course.

The Chisholm Institute Early Childhood Tertiary Partnership course provides a pathway for students to become an educator by completing either a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and/or the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
On-the-job training is delivered through a traineeship that links you to employers, a conveniently located TAFE, and an apprenticeship support network.
When enrolled, you can expect:
- job application assistance including resume and interview preparation and support
- fortnightly workshops to enhance your skills and knowledge of the ECE sector
- study and learning support
- mentoring and monthly check-ins
- access to a community of practice for employers and mentors.
Targeted locations:
- Bass Coast
- South Gippsland
- Statewide
Chisholm Institute are now taking enrolments for traineeships throughout 2024 and 2025 across a wide range of locations in Victoria. To learn more, or to apply, visit https://www.chisholm.edu.au/free-tafe-for-priority-courses/early-childhood-traineeship-program
For further enquiries, email: (opens in a new window)ece@chisholm.edu.au(opens in a new window)
The Gowrie Victoria Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships course provides a pathway for target cohorts including people with a disability, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, First in Family and disadvantaged cohorts to complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Gowrie Victoria specialise in providing wrap-around supports so when you enrol, you can expect:
- job-matching trainees with employers
- a dedicated coordinator to work with from first contact
- support visits and intensive mentoring
- a wellbeing and mental health support program
- face-to-face delivery.
Targeted locations:
- Melbourne City
Gowrie Victoria are currently taking enrolment queries.
To learn more, visit https://gowrievictoria.org.au/traineeships
For other enquiries, email: training@gowrievictoria.org.au(opens in a new window)
The Gowrie Victoria ‘Pre-Certificate’ Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships course provided a staged transition into formal study for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) participants keen to enter the early childhood educator workforce.
The program was delivered in Carlton and was supported by a community liaison officer. It included a 4-week introductory program to give students sector knowledge and skills and provide supported networking opportunities.
This program is currently not taking applications.
To learn more, visit https://gowrievictoria.org.au/traineeships
For enquiries, email: Mentoring@gowrievictoria.org.au(opens in a new window)
The VICSEG New Futures Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships course provides a pathway for migrants, refugee and asylum seeker communities to become an educator by completing the Certificate III and/or the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
When you enrol, you can expect:
- flexible delivery through both online and face-to-face models
- academic mentors
- language supports
- support for travel to attend key practical training sessions
- free access to childcare, available for participants within VICSEG New Futures’ network of Early Learning Centres (subject to availability).
Targeted locations:
- Banyule City
- Brimbank City
- Hume City
- Maribyrnong City
- Whittlesea City
- Wyndham City
To learn more, visit VICSEG website
For other enquiries, email: mbangan@vicsegnewfutures.org.au(opens in a new window)
The Victoria University (VU Tafe) Early Childhood Partnerships course provides a pathway for students across all ages and backgrounds to become an educator through a Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
The courses offer accessible options and inclusive supports, delivered face-to-face at the Victoria University campus in western metropolitan Melbourne.
When you enrol, you can expect:
- in-language communications to support your enrolment
- placement supports, including job-matching students with employers
- supported transition into employment
- individual mentoring
- access to community and industry ambassadors via professional learning sessions.
Targeted locations:
- Brimbank City
- Hume City
- Melton City
- Wyndham City
To learn more, or to find out when you can apply next, visit:
https://www.vu.edu.au/study-at-vu/tafe/early-childhood-education-education-support
For other enquiries, email: DICE@vu.edu.au(opens in a new window)
The Wodonga Institute of TAFE Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships provides a pathway from VET for school students (VETDSS) and school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) to become an educator through the Certificate III and the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
When you enrol, you can expect:
- individual progress and support meetings
- employment-based placements, as appropriate
- ‘on-the-job’ skill development
- a targeted academic skills program
- support for student travel and study costs
- an online community of practice
- workplace mentoring
- flexible learning options, whether face-to-face or online.
Targeted locations:
- Wodonga Rural City
- Towong Shire
Enrolments for the Diploma, traineeships and SBATs are currently open.
To learn more, or to apply, go to https://www.wodongatafe.edu.au/about-us/our-initiatives/early-childhood-tertiary-partnerships
For further enquiries, contact: info@wodongatafe.edu.au(opens in a new window)

Become a teacher

To become an early childhood teacher, you need to complete either a:

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, or
Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

How to apply

Learn more about a career as an early childhood teacher.

If you wish to look at other providers outside of the ECTP Program, visit Find an early childhood education course.

The Deakin University Early Childhood Tertiary Partnership courses offer employment-based options that enable students to complete further study online, while working in the sector.
For qualified educators looking to upskill, Deakin University offers a three-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.
For those looking to change careers to early childhood teaching, the Graduate Diploma is specifically designed to suit their needs.
When you enrol, you can expect:
- mentoring from a Teaching Coach
- financial incentives for employers to release employees for placements
- an option to complete placements within your usual workplace
- employment matching for career changers and employer partners.
Targeted locations:
- Horsham Rural City
- Southern Grampians Shire
- Ballarat City
- Banyule City
- Brimbank City
- Casey City
- Hume City
- Melton City
- Ararat Rural City
- Hindmarsh Shire
Course applications are now open. To learn more, or to find out how to apply, visit
- Early childhood teaching employment-based pathway | Deakin
For further enquiries, email soeinnovative@deakin.edu.au(opens in a new window)
The Federation University Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program provides a pathway for diploma-qualified educators looking to upskill as early childhood teachers.
Through credits for prior study, diploma-qualified early childhood educators can obtain a three-year Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) within two years, while working 0.6 FTE in their current early childhood service.
After course completion, graduates will have the option to upgrade to a four-year degree by completing a Graduate Diploma online.
When you enrol, you can expect:
- financial incentives for employers to release employees for placements
- subsidies for regional and rural students travelling over 1.5 hours
- financial support for study materials.
Targeted locations:
- East Gippsland Shire
- Horsham Rural City
- South Gippsland Shire
- Latrobe City
- Ballarat City
- Casey City
To learn more, or to apply, go to: https://federation.edu.au/institutes-and-schools/ieac/early-childhood-tertiary-partnership
For further enquiries, email: a.fletcher@federation.edu.au(opens in a new window)
The Monash University Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program provides a pathway for suitably qualified educators wishing to upskill, through an employment-based Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
The course is delivered online, with placements completed within your current centre, so you can continue working.
Those interested in changing to a career in early childhood education can also take up the offer to study through the online course.
When you enrol, you can expect:
- professional coaching and mentoring
- financial incentives for employers to release employees for study leave
- ability to complete placement within your current service
- play and STEM units, informed by the Conceptual PlayLab research.
Targeted locations:
- Statewide
This program is no longer taking applications.
The Swinburne University Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program provides a pathway for educators wanting to upskill and for those wanting to change careers to early childhood education through a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching.
Swinburne has partnered with local regional government and TAFE Gippsland, to deliver the Regional Outreach Model (ROM) across East Gippsland, Wellington, Greater Bendigo and Greater Shepparton. If you are living in these or neighbouring LGAs, this allows you to stay and work within your local regional community to complete your studies.
When you enrol, you can expect:
- opportunities to earn and learn locally within your current service or undertake a placement within a local service
- flexible learning through locally based face-to-face intensives and online classes
- one-to-one ongoing support and mentoring
- employment network support.
Targeted locations:
- East Gippsland Shire
- Wellington Shire
- City of Greater Bendigo
- Greater Shepparton City
To learn more, or to apply, visit https://www.swinburne.edu.au/course/postgraduate/graduate-diploma-of-early-childhood-teaching
For further enquiries, email: andrewthompson@swin.edu.au(opens in a new window)
The Victoria University Early Childhood Tertiary Partnership provides a pathway for students who have previously experienced barriers to education, particularly students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds to transition to a career in early childhood teaching through a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education supports First in Family students, particularly those who may live and work within inner western Melbourne.
The Graduate Diploma is open to domestic and international students seeking to remain in Victoria and work as early childhood teachers.
When you enrol, you can expect:
- flexible learning options such as face-to-face, online delivery and full-time or part-time study
- a project manager, who co-ordinates your support needs
- academic advisors for learning support
- mentoring and placement support
- financial incentives for employers, including ‘host service’ payments and professional development
- job-readiness training
- culturally responsive support and access to community networks.
To learn more, or to apply for a course, visit www.vu.edu.au/study-at-vu/tafe/early-childhood-education-education-support
For further enquiries, email: workforce.retention@vu.edu.au(opens in a new window)

Education

Updated 19 December 2024

Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program

On this page

Choosing the course that is right for you

Who can apply

Become an educator

How to apply

Become a teacher

How to apply