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The essentials at a glance
You can study early childhood education in Australia from Nepal through a one-year Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, often called the childcare diploma, or through a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. The diploma prepares you to work as an educator, while the bachelor's degree prepares you to teach children from birth to five. This page explains entry, placements, teacher registration and cost for both.
Key takeaways
Main points from this page
- The childcare diploma is a one-year college course, and the one we checked asks for a Certificate III in early childhood first.
- A bachelor's degree takes about three years at Deakin and prepares you to work as an early childhood teacher.
- Both routes include supervised placements, with at least 280 hours in the diploma.
- Deakin's degree is approved by ACECQA, and graduates can register with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
- You also need a Working with Children Check before placements, and the exact check depends on the state.
Can You Study Early Childhood Education in Australia from Nepal?
Yes, you can start early childhood education in Australia after +2, with a diploma or a bachelor’s degree.
Early childhood education is about caring for and teaching children before school age. You work in childcare centres, kindergartens and preschools. This guide is part of our study in Australia from Nepal series, and the other subject guides sit in our courses in Australia section.
If you enjoy active work with people, you can also read our guide to sports science courses in Australia.
Amounts here are in Australian dollars. Use our AUD to Rs forex converter to see them in rupees.
- Diploma: about one year at a college, with at least 280 hours of placement.
- Bachelor’s degree: about three years at Deakin, with long school and centre placements.
- Teaching: a degree approved by ACECQA, plus registration with a state body.
- Check first: the Working with Children Check and English scores.
Which Early Childhood Courses Can You Take in Australia?
You can take a diploma at a college or a bachelor’s degree at a university.
Both are open to students from Nepal.
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Many students call this the childcare diploma. Chisholm Institute teaches it full-time over one year at Dandenong. See our Chisholm Institute profile and the international diploma page.
TAFE Queensland diploma
TAFE Queensland teaches the same diploma across several campuses, with 280 hours of placement. See our TAFE Queensland profile and the course page.
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Deakin University teaches this degree over 3 years on its Burwood and Warrnambool campuses. Other universities use names such as Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), so compare each course page.
Is a Diploma in Childcare Open to International Students?
Yes, colleges such as Chisholm and TAFE Queensland offer the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care to international students.
Chisholm asks you to finish a Certificate III in early childhood education and care first. You must be at least 18 when the course starts. It lists IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.0. The course has at least 280 hours of placement, and you must hold a Working with Children Check and a police record check.
TAFE Queensland lists 280 hours of placement too. For diploma-level courses its English page asks for IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5. Read each course page, because the course brochure can set a higher score.
Not every college offers the diploma to international students, so read the international page of each one. Our diploma courses in Australia page and our colleges and TAFE page help you compare colleges.
What Is a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education in Australia?
It is a university degree that trains you to teach and care for children from birth to about five years of age.
At Deakin it takes 3 years full-time. Other universities may take 3 to 4 years, and part-time study is usually only for people already in Australia. The course mixes child development, learning theory, early reading and number skills, inclusive education, and planning and assessment. It also covers child health, safety and working with families.
Deakin says it arranges more than 80 days of placement across schools and early childhood centres. You learn by working under a supervising teacher, not only in lectures.
The degree is different from the diploma. The diploma trains an educator, and the degree trains a teacher. A degree opens roles like early childhood teacher, centre leader and educational leader.
Can You Become a Registered Early Childhood Teacher in Australia?
You need a degree that meets the national approval rules, and then you register with a state body.
ACECQA keeps the list of approved qualifications for centres that care for children of preschool age and under. It covers early childhood teaching degrees, diplomas and certificate III courses. You can search the ACECQA approved list before you pick a course.
Deakin’s page says its degree is approved by ACECQA, and graduates can register with the Victorian Institute of Teaching. Each state has its own teacher registration body. The degree is only one step, because registration is a separate process.
So choose a course that is on the list, and ask the university which state registration it leads to. Do not assume that every course with a similar name qualifies.
How Do You Get Into a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education?
You need Year 12 or an equal result, IELTS 7.0 overall at Deakin, and a Working with Children Check.
Deakin asks for IELTS 7.0 overall with no band below 6.5, as shown on its international course page. It also lists course-specific academic requirements for overseas students. Intake is Trimester 1 on that page, so plan early.
English scores for teaching degrees are higher than for most other courses. Start preparing early, and read our minimum IELTS and PTE for Australia page. Our NEB GPA calculator helps you see your grade before you apply.
You may need a police clearance and a Working with Children Check before placements, which are often done after you arrive. Ask your university which checks come first.
How Much Does Early Childhood Education Cost in Australia?
Deakin lists about AUD 41,000 for a full-time year of its bachelor’s, and a diploma at Chisholm is about AUD 17,674 in total.
These are indicative figures from official pages. Colleges and universities change them, so confirm before you apply.
| Course | Provider | Fee | About in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care | Chisholm Institute | AUD 17,674 total | about Rs 16 lakh |
| Bachelor of Early Childhood Education | Deakin University | AUD 41,000 for one year | about Rs 37 lakh |
Chisholm says its total is indicative, with a scholarship included. Living costs, health cover and the visa fee are extra. Our cost to study in Australia page explains them, and our scholarships in Australia page lists support.
Should You Choose the Diploma or the Degree?
Choose the diploma to start work sooner, and the degree if you want to teach and lead.
The diploma is shorter, and it fits you if you want a practical start. The college may ask for a Certificate III first, so you might need extra time before it. The degree takes about three years, and it asks for stronger English.
Think about your plan after the course too. Educators in centres need an approved qualification, and the ACECQA list tells you which ones count. Teachers also need state registration, which is a separate step from the degree.
If you are not sure, talk to a counselor before you pay a deposit. Our Australia intakes page shows when courses start.
Which Jobs Can You Do in Early Childhood Education?
You can work as a childcare educator, room leader, early childhood teacher or centre coordinator.
A diploma suits roles inside a childcare centre. A degree suits teaching and leadership roles, such as early childhood teacher, educational leader or adviser. Deakin lists settings such as consultancy, non-profit groups, policy and research as well.
Work in schools for older children is a different path. It can need a separate teaching degree and registration, so ask the university before you assume it. Our Master of Social Work guide covers a related caring field for graduates.
Can You Work and Stay in Australia After an Early Childhood Course?
You can work part-time while you study, and you may apply for a Temporary Graduate visa afterwards.
While your course runs you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight. See our working hours page for the rules. For the visa after study, read our 485 visa page. Permanent residence is not automatic, so read our PR courses in Australia page before you choose a course for that reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Chisholm Institute and TAFE Queensland list the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care for international students. Some colleges do not offer it to international students, so check each course page.
It is the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, a one-year college course with at least 280 hours of placement. Chisholm asks for a Certificate III first and IELTS 6.0, with no band below 5.0.
The diploma prepares you to work as an educator in a childcare centre. The bachelor’s degree prepares you to work as an early childhood teacher. The degree takes longer and needs higher English scores.
Deakin teaches it over 3 years full-time. Other universities may take 3 to 4 years. Part-time study is usually limited to people already in Australia.
Deakin asks for IELTS 7.0 overall with no band below 6.5. Other universities set their own scores, so read the course page before you book a test.
Only if the course is approved and you meet the state rules. Deakin says its degree is approved by ACECQA and graduates can register with the Victorian Institute of Teaching. Check the same for every course.
Yes, Chisholm lists a Working with Children Check and a police record check for its diploma. Teaching degrees also have placements with children. Each state sets its own check.
How Can Goreto Help You Apply for Early Childhood Education in Australia?
Goreto counselors help you choose between a diploma and a degree, check entry and plan your visa.
You can meet us at our Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Itahari and Pokhara branches. Our diploma vs bachelor’s guide helps you choose a level.
Sources
Reference links
Disclaimer
Important guidance note
Fees, entry rules and registration steps change, so confirm each detail on the official course page before you apply.
