CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Occupations relevant to this qualification include:

• early childhood educator
• group leader
• service director
• preschool assistant
• outside school hours educator/director
• home based educator
• nanny
• support worker.

Skill recognition

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is the acknowledgement of a person's skills and knowledge acquired through previous training, work or life experience, which may be used to grant status or credit in a subject regardless of how and where they were attained, including overseas.This can include skills from:

• Previous study excluding courses at another VET/TAFE institution, but including courses at school or college, through adult education classes or training programs at work;
• Work experience (including both work that is paid and unpaid); and/or
• Life experience (for example leisure pursuits or voluntary work).

RPL is a form of assessment. It is used to determine whether a person has acquired, through formal or informal learning, the skills and experience consistent with the stated competency standards that comprise a qualification. RPL is not time referenced, so there are no parameters on how or when the skills are acquired. However, the skills that have been acquired through life experience etc., must be current and must match the elements and performance criteria contained in the individual unit.

Students seeking RPL need to indicate this on their enrolment form at the time of enrolment.

For further information please refer to the Applicant's Guide to the Recognition of Prior Learning or contact Student Central on 1800 061 963 (free call) or email Student.Central@cdu.edu.au.

Credit Transfer

Charles Darwin University as a Registered Training Organisation recognises the Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications and Statement of Attainments issued by any other Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Students are encouraged to submit any requests for credit from previous studies at the time of enrolment, to ensure they are not enrolling in units they may not need to undertake.

In order to apply for exemption/credit transfer from units completed at another training organisation, you will need to complete an Application for Exemption Form available from any campus, centre, or team, or a copy of the form can be obtained from the web.

Your completed Application for Exemption form together with attached documentary evidence (certified copy of Qualification/Statement of Attainment) to support your request for exemption/credit transfer should be submitted directly to the University either in person or by mail. Requests without documentary evidence will not be processed and will be returned to students. There are no fees attached to Credit Transfers.

Pathways

VET to Higher Education Pathway Mapping for completed Awards in the same field or discipline.

Students who successfully complete VET qualifications at the Certificate IV level or above and subsequently enrol in a Bachelor degree in the same field or discipline, will receive advanced standing as detailed in the table below.

CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care - 2026

Applicants who wish to commence this course need to have the required skills and knowledge to undertake the qualification at this level, e.g. completion of year 10 or equivalent and a general command of spoken and written English to be able to meet industry standards for communication.

A Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy (LLND) evaluation helps identify any areas where you may need additional support to help you achieve your goals.

To gain entry into CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, candidates are required to: 

• Hold a CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care OR CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care 

AND

• Work in a regulated Early Childhood Education and Care Service

Everyone employed or volunteering in child-related work are required by law to hold an Ochre Card. It will therefore be a mandatory requirement to hold an Ochre card in order to complete any work placement. If you do not already have an Ochre Card, you can apply through SAFE NT.

Required Resources

Students will have 24/7 access to assessments and learning resources on CDU's online learning platform Learnline. Before you can use Learnline however, you'll need to ensure that your computer has the correct setup.

Computer and internet access will be required to participate in online sessions, source information and complete assessments.

Additional costs to students include:

• Working with Children Clearance  - Standard Fee (Employment) $87.00
• Working with Children Clearance - Concession Fee (Volunteer) $8.00

Textbooks 
Frameworks for Learning and Development, 5th Edition, by Karen Kearns paperback/eBook
Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 9780170445535 / ISBN 9780170455770

The Business of Childcare, 5th Edition, by Karen Kearns paperback/eBook
Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 9780170445528 / ISBN 9780170455749

This is a current, nationally accredited qualification from the CHC Community Services Training Package.

AFB: This is an approved Away From Base (AFB) 'mixed-mode' course.
For further information about AFB see www.cdu.edu.au/afb

Employability Skills are embedded in the training and assessment of national training package qualifications. Information on the Employability Skills relevant to your qualification can be obtained by visiting this website and keying in the national code for the qualification: training.gov.au

Delivery at all locations is subject to sufficient demand and resources.



Locations: Alice Springs, Casuarina, Palmerston, Katherine, Remote



Study Mode: On campus, online, both



Subject to demand other locations and modes may become available throughout the year.