Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125)
QualificationIssued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised qualification CHC30125)
Early childhood educator
Care for and teach young children in childcare centres, preschools and kindergartens, through play and daily routines.
Screening comes before work
Care work usually needs a Working with Children Check or NDIS worker screening before you start. Your employer has to see it before your first shift.
What you do
You prepare materials and run activities for children, such as reading and games. You guide their behaviour and social development. You supervise play, daily routines and hygiene.
SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026
Licences and tickets
New South Wales
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- Working with Children Check (NSW)Check
Issued by Office of the Children's Guardian NSW
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- First aid (HLTAID011 Provide First Aid)Certificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised unit HLTAID011)
Victoria
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125)Qualification
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised qualification CHC30125)
- Working with Children Check (Vic)Check
Issued by Social Services Regulator (Victoria)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- First aid (HLTAID011 Provide First Aid)Certificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised unit HLTAID011)
Queensland
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- Blue Card (QLD)Check
Issued by Blue Card Services (Queensland Government)
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125)Qualification
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised qualification CHC30125)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- First aid (HLTAID011 Provide First Aid)Certificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised unit HLTAID011)
Western Australia
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125)Qualification
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised qualification CHC30125)
- Working with Children Check (WA)Check
Issued by Department of Communities (Western Australia)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- First aid (HLTAID011 Provide First Aid)Certificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised unit HLTAID011)
South Australia
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125)Qualification
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised qualification CHC30125)
- Working with Children Check (SA)Check
Issued by Department of Human Services Screening Unit (South Australia)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- First aid (HLTAID011 Provide First Aid)Certificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised unit HLTAID011)
Tasmania
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125)Qualification
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised qualification CHC30125)
- Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (TAS)Check
Issued by Department of Justice (Tasmania)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- First aid (HLTAID011 Provide First Aid)Certificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised unit HLTAID011)
Australian Capital Territory
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125)Qualification
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised qualification CHC30125)
- Working with Vulnerable People registration (ACT)Check
Issued by Access Canberra
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- First aid (HLTAID011 Provide First Aid)Certificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised unit HLTAID011)
Northern Territory
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125)Qualification
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised qualification CHC30125)
- Ochre Card, Working with Children Clearance (NT)Check
Issued by NT Screening Authority, with SAFE NT (Northern Territory Police)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- First aid (HLTAID011 Provide First Aid)Certificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (nationally recognised unit HLTAID011)
Related jobs
Common questions
- What licences or tickets do you need to work as a Early childhood educator?
- In every state the law requires: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125). New South Wales: Working with Children Check (NSW). Victoria: Working with Children Check (Vic). Queensland: Blue Card (QLD). Western Australia: Working with Children Check (WA). South Australia: Working with Children Check (SA). Tasmania: Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (TAS). Australian Capital Territory: Working with Vulnerable People registration (ACT). Northern Territory: Ochre Card, Working with Children Clearance (NT). Pick your state on this page to see who issues each one and how to get it.
- What is the minimum pay for a Early childhood educator?
- Minimum casual rate (adult, Level 3 qualified educator): $40.59 an hour. Under the Children's Services Award 2010 (MA000120), from 1 July 2026. Last checked 10 Oct 2026.
- What are median earnings for a Early childhood educator?
- Median earnings: $1,341 a week before tax (full-time workers, all experience levels, national; may cover a wider occupation group).