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I want to take the next step

Take your career to the next level and elevate your practice

Upskill and grow your career while continuing your impactful work.

Become a diploma-qualified educator

Build on your Certificate III and become a diploma-qualified educator. With a diploma, you can progress your career to team leader, assistant director, director, or educational leader. Study and complete a diploma, and you could be eligible for up to $7000 of financial support from the Government of South Australia.

Some TAFE SA courses are offered fee-free to eligible students, including the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care . Learn more at tafesa.edu.au/fee-free.

The Government of South Australia also subsidises the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care delivered by a range of other providers across the state. For more information on locations and 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. If you’re already working in the sector, talk to your employer about the option of a traineeship to help you upskill in your current role. For more information on how traineeships work, visit My Training | Trainees & apprentices (skills.sa.gov.au).

Become a teacher

Build on your diploma, and upskill to become a teacher with a university pathway. Enrol in, and complete an undergraduate degree and you could be eligible for up to $25,000 of financial support from the Government of South Australia. You may be eligible to complete a bachelor’s degree in 2 years with recognised prior learning (RPL). Talk to your university for more information.

In South Australia, Flinders University and Adelaide University offer the following 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 QualifySA financial support program.

Would you benefit from tailored support?

The Flying Start Pathways Program provides support to help you remain engaged and complete your studies.

Diploma upskillers can access the Flying Start Pathways Program Free Diploma Bridging Course to assist you to transition into a teaching degree through:

  • support in developing essential study skills and academic confidence
  • help with navigating university expectations, structure, and assessments
  • academic literacy tools – from referencing and research to confident academic writing
  • information on scholarships, financial support, and funded placements
  • strategies to balance study, work, and life
  • career pathway advice to help you become a qualified early childhood teacher.

The Flying Start Pathways Program also offers support throughout your learning journey through wraparound supports tailored to your needs, including:

  • support to enrol, course counselling and individualised training plans
  • advice regarding the availability of financial assistance for study
  • wellbeing and mental health support
  • referrals to support services
  • pastoral care
  • career guidance
  • access to peer learning communities
  • support to grow your study and academic skills
  • support to transition to further studies.

It’s your launchpad into higher education, with tailored guidance to set you up for success.

For more information, visit Flying Start Pathways Program.

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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.