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Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program

Explore supported courses to become an early childhood educator or teacher through the ECTP program.

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Are you looking for a rewarding career in early childhood education?

The Victorian Government is supporting a range of courses through the Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships (ECTP) program. Each course has been designed to provide the benefits and supports that you might need while you study.

The ECTP program is offered through universities, TAFEs and RTOs in Victoria. Some providers focus on specific locations to meet areas of high demand for teachers and educators.

Choosing the course that is right for you

You can choose from a range of different course and provider options to suit your needs, such as:

The ECTP program also includes a range of tertiary courses for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds by providing additional support, such as:

Who can apply

Opportunities to study early childhood education are available across Victoria for:

Learn more about becoming an educator or an early childhood teacher through the ECTP program.

Become an educator

To become an early childhood educator, you need to complete either a:

Follow the link to learn more about a career as an educator.

How to apply

Applications to enrol can be made directly through the university, TAFE or RTO weblink below.

If you wish to look at other providers who deliver Certificate III and Diploma courses, outside of the ECTP Program, visit Find an early childhood education course.

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The Chisholm Institute Early Childhood Tertiary Partnership course provides a pathway for students to become an educator by completing either a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and/or the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. On-the-job training is delivered through a traineeship that links you to employers and an apprenticeship support network.

When enrolled, you can expect:

To learn more, or to apply, visit Early Childhood traineeship program | Chisholm TAFE

For further enquiries, email ece@chisholm.edu.au(opens in a new window)

The program is currently not taking enrolments.

The Gowrie Victoria Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships course provided a pathway for target cohorts including people with a disability, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, First in Family and disadvantaged cohorts to complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care as a traineeship.

To learn more, visit Early Childhood Education Traineeships at Gowrie Victoria | Gowrie Victoria

For further enquiries, email training@gowrievictoria.org.au(opens in a new window)

The program is currently not taking enrolments.

The Gowrie Victoria ‘Pre-Certificate’ Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships course provided a staged transition into formal study for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) participants keen to enter the early childhood educator workforce. The program was delivered in Carlton and was supported by a community liaison officer. It included a 4-week introductory program to give students sector knowledge and skills and provide supported networking opportunities.

The VICSEG New Futures Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships course provides a pathway for migrants, refugee and asylum seeker communities to become an educator by completing the Certificate III and/or the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

When you enrol, you can expect:

For further enquiries, email mbangan@vicsegnewfutures.org.au(opens in a new window)

The Victoria University (VU TAFE) Early Childhood Partnerships course provides a pathway for students across all ages and backgrounds to become an educator through a Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.

The courses offer accessible options and inclusive supports, delivered face-to-face at the Victoria University campus in western metropolitan Melbourne.

When you enrol, you can expect:

For further enquiries, email DICE@vu.edu.au(opens in a new window)

The Wodonga Institute of TAFE Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program can be joined at the Certificate III level which includes a school-based traineeship or at the Diploma level.

When you enrol, you can expect:

To learn more, or to apply visit Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships | Wodonga Tafe

For further enquiries, email info@wodongatafe.edu.au(opens in a new window)

The GOTAFE program is designed to fully support students enrolled in the Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care across northern Victoria.

When you enrol, you can expect:

To learn more, or to apply visit Early Childhood | GOTAFE

For further enquires, email fcorish@gotafe.vic.edu.au(opens in a new window)

Become a teacher

To become an early childhood teacher, you need to complete either a:

How to apply

Learn more about a career as an early childhood teacher.

For other providers outside of the ECTP Program, visit Find an early childhood education course.

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The Deakin University Early Childhood Tertiary Partnership courses let students work in the sector whilst studying online.

Deakin University offers a three-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Education for qualified educators looking to upskill.

If you’re considering a career change to early childhood teaching, the Graduate Diploma and the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) are great options.

When you enrol, you can expect:

For further enquiries, email soeinnovative@deakin.edu.au(opens in a new window)

This program is not currently taking enrolments.

The Federation University Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program supported Diploma qualified educators to upskill to a teaching qualification.

For further enquiries, email early.childhood.study@education.vic.gov.au

This program is not currently taking enrolments.

The Swinburne University Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program provides a path for educators to upskill and for those wanting to transition into early childhood education through a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching.

Swinburne partnered with local regional government and TAFE Gippsland, to deliver the Regional Outreach Model (ROM) across East Gippsland, Wellington, Greater Bendigo and Greater Shepparton.

For more information, visit Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching | Swinburne

This program is not currently taking enrolments.

The Victoria University Early Childhood Tertiary Partnership created a supported pathway for students who faced barriers to education. It focuses on students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. This program helps students transition to a career in early childhood teaching through a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

For further enquiries, email workforce.retention@vu.edu.au(opens in a new window)

Placements in early childhood services

High-quality placements are an essential part of your studies.

Placements provide the hands-on practical, experience you need to become a confident and skilled early childhood teacher or educator. This includes understanding your role in creating safe and supportive learning environments for children.

To help you understand how to support child safety while on placement, please see information for placement students in Early Childhood Education and Care services.

Education & training

Updated 27 March 2026

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