Do you love working with kids? Do you want a job that will actually make a positive impact to families and your community? Working in childcare might be perfect for you!
If you’re based in Brisbane and require a nationally recognised childcare qualification, AET provides flexible, government-subsidised qualifications to help you start or resume your early childhood education career.
What Is Childcare?
Childcare is the supervision, education and care of young children (most commonly from birth to school age). Childcare is a human service that facilitates the physical, emotional, intellectual and social growth of children in a safe, secure and supportive setting.
Those working in childcare are called early childhood educators. Early childhood educators have a pivotal role in the child’s growth and education, along with establishing the foundations of a lifetime of learning and success. Childcare is provided in several working environments.
- Long day care centres
- Family day care homes
- Kindergartens
- Before- and after-school care programs
- Occasional care services
An early childhood educator will plan and implement play-based learning experiences, encourage children’s health and well-being, and work in partnership with families so that all children get the optimal start in life.
AET’s Nationally Recognised Childcare Courses
AET provides two important qualifications for people who want to start or restart childcare professional careers in Brisbane.
- CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Both these qualifications are nationally recognised awards, funded by the Queensland Government for Queensland-eligible learners, and offered with hands-on skills that will give real-world outcomes.
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Certificate III is the starting qualification if you wish to work in early childhood education. It trains you with the skills and practical training that you will need to support young children in early learning settings.
Course Duration: 52 weeks (including holidays)
Delivery of Course: Face-to-face, Virtual, or blended
Work Placement: 160 hours in a Childcare Centre
Funding: VET Funding under the Certificate 3 Guarantee (QLD Government)
Entry Requirements: None, but will be required to pass a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) test.
What Will You Learn?
- Care for babies
- Help children to learn and develop, and their health
- Promote positive behaviour and belonging
- Have an understanding of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and apply it as needed
- Working to meet the requirements for compliance with Workplace Health and Safety legislation
- Know and apply the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
- Apply workplace health and safety laws
Job Opportunities
- Early Childhood Educator
- Preschool Worker
- Family Day Care Educator
- Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Assistant
- Nanny or Au Pair
- Gateway into work in childcare and the first point of qualification for the Diploma.
CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
The Diploma credential is for learners who want to prolong their career, lead, and possess extra competencies in curriculum planning, team leading with support staff, and team leading early learning programmes.
Duration: 52 weeks
Mode/Schedule: Face-to-face, distance, workplace or blended delivery options
Work Placement: 280 hours in a regulated early childhood service
Funding: Subsidised under the QLD Government – Higher Level Skills Programme.
Entry Requirements: Hold CHC30121 or CHC30113 and hold a current Blue Card (Working with Children Check).
What You’ll Learn?
- Manage and lead early childhood education staff
- Design and assess education programmes.
- Support children’s all-round development
- Highlight sustainability and inclusion in early learning
- Enable compliance with the National Quality Framework (NQF)
Why Study with AET?
Government Funding Available
Queenslanders are able to apply for government subsidisation, reducing your own out-of-pocket cost.
Flexible Learning Options
AET offers a variety of delivery methods to fit your lifestyle: online, blended, and work-based learning.
Realistic, Job-Relevant Skills
Both qualifications will get you completing mandatory work placements so you have practical experience working with children in real daycare environments.
Supportive, Experienced Trainers
AET’s experienced, industry-qualified and committed trainers will guide you every step of the way.
Pathways to Career Growth
Begin at Certificate III, then on to Diploma – or all the way to a bachelor-style teaching qualification. This is your way!
Searching for Brisbane’s best early childhood educators has never been more crucial than in 2025. A school leaver, returning to work, or looking to begin a new career, studying a nationally accredited childcare course at AET is the starting point of a rewarding and future-directed career.
Practical experience, good trainers, flexible study options and government incentives enable you to train to work in childcare with confidence.