I'm considering a career change
Take the leap. Change careers or start a new one as you re-enter the workforce
If you’re thinking of a new career, returning to the workforce after some time away, or ready for your next challenge - a career in early childhood education might be for you.
Make a meaningful impact as a highly skilled early childhood educator or teacher, and play a vital role in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children.
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.
Become an educator
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 $7000 of financial support from the Government of South Australia.
Start your journey to become an educator with a vocational education and training (VET) pathway. Some TAFE SA courses are offered fee-free to eligible students including the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, and the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. Learn more at tafesa.edu.au/fee-free.
The Government of South Australia also 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).
Become a teacher
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 for bachelors degrees, and up to $17,000 of financial support for a master’s degree.
In South Australia, Flinders University and Adelaide University offer the following bachelor degrees 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 its right for you, you can start with a Flying Start Pathways Program pre-certificate ‘taster’ course. This 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.
Learn more about the taster course and the other supports available through the Flying Start Pathways Program.
Online taster courses through TAFE SA are also available. 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
Subscribe
If you want to keep up-to-date on South Australia's early childhood reforms, subscribe to the Office for Early Childhood Development's sector newsletter.