Skip to main content Skip to side navigation
Print this page

I'm considering a career change

Change careers and bring your skills with you

Changing careers can feel like starting from scratch, but in early childhood, it rarely is. Skills built in retail, healthcare, hospitality, administration, trades or almost any people-facing role — such as patience, communication, problem-solving, organisation, working calmly under pressure — are the same skills that make a great early childhood educator.

You're not leaving your experience behind; you're applying it in a whole new way.

Early childhood is a strong choice for a career change:

  • Flexible entry: study and work at the same time through traineeships or leverage eligible previous study for an express qualification.
  • Genuine demand: a growing industry with real job security and high growth.
  • Career progression: clear routes from entry-level roles into qualified, senior and leadership positions, with ongoing professional development and learning opportunities.
  • Meaningful impact: see the difference you're making every day with children, families and the community.

With more job opportunities than ever before, and financial support to help while you study, now is the time to explore a fulfilling and flexible career in early childhood.

Lauren shares her career change pathway into early childhood education and care, after 11 years in retail and full-time parenting. 

"I don't know why I didn't do it sooner." - Lauren

Which pathway is right for you?

Educators work directly with children to support their wellbeing, learning and development. To become an early childhood educator, you’ll need a certificate III or diploma in early childhood education and care.

Study and complete a diploma, and you could be eligible for up to $6,000 of financial support from the Government of South Australia.

The Government of South Australia subsidises the certificate III and diploma courses in early childhood education and care at a range of other providers across South Australia. For more information on eligibility visit My Training | Get qualifications to build your career (skills.sa.gov.au).

If you want to combine work and study, a traineeship might be for you. Traineeships can be undertaken at either the certificate III or diploma levels. For more information visit My Training | Trainees & apprentices (skills.sa.gov.au).

Preschool teachers create inspiring, interesting, and age-appropriate learning and development environments, while driving opportunities that help every child to thrive. To become a teacher you’ll need a university degree.

Enrol in and complete an undergraduate degree, and you could be eligible for up to $25,000 of financial support.

If you complete a master's degree, you could be eligible for up to $17,000 of financial support.

If you have an existing bachelor degree in another field, you could become a teacher through a master’s pathway.

If you’re already a qualified teacher, you could become an accredited early childhood teacher through completing a graduate diploma.

Speak to your preferred university to find out more.

In South Australia, Flinders University and Adelaide University offer the following ACECQA-recognised qualifications in early childhood education:

If you want to study at a university in another state, check out the full list of teaching qualifications that are eligible for the QualifySA financial support program.

Not sure if you're ready to commit?

If you are new to the early childhood sector, or not sure if it's right for you, you can start with a free, pre-certificate ‘taster’ course from TAFE SA. This online course is a free short, supported introduction to the early childhood sector.

It will help you build your confidence, meet educators, and discover if this career is right for you. Courses will be offered in metro and regional areas.

Enrol now in the free, interactive, self-paced course by visiting Kickstart your Future: An Introduction to Careers in Early Childhood Education and Care in Australia (tafesa.edu.au).

In-person taster courses are also available time-to-time through the Flying Start Pathways program.

Looking for something else?

Qualifications and further study

Take your career to the next level with a qualification in early childhood, or undertake further study to progress your career.

Learn more

Professional learning and development

Training programs, learning resources and professional development opportunities to enhance your professional practice.

Learn more

Subscribe

If you want to keep up-to-date on South Australia's early childhood reforms, subscribe to our newsletter.