Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education

Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education

POSTGRADUATE

Set young children up for a lifelong love of learning.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus and Online
Entry score:

Not available*

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Fees:

Commonwealth Supported Places

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Bundoora
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Fees:

AU$ 36,480 (2025 total)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Bundoora

As an early childhood teacher, you will support young learners and their families as advocates, enablers, custodians and thinkers – nurturing tomorrow’s global citizens in yet-to-be-imagined futures.

The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education equips you with the knowledge, skills and practical experience to foster the developmental milestones of children from birth to age five.

Blending global and Indigenous perspectives with active and research-informed teaching methods, this one-year intensive course encourages you to adopt a teaching approach that respects diversity in age, gender, ethnicity, and ability. You'll become an innovative and attuned professional teacher with the ability to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander narratives in your teaching practices.

You'll also examine the role of play in a holistic early childhood curriculum with an emphasis on science, technologies, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) and sustainable futures.

Upon completion, you'll be ready to begin a fulfilling career shaping children's education. You'll gain the ability to teach in private enterprise, government agencies and community-based early childhood education and care settings, locally or globally.

Why choose the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education at RMIT?

Industry input

Benefit from our Industry Advisory Committee's expertise and feedback on course content.

Industry experience

Undertake placement in early childhood education and care settings and put theories, concepts and ideas into practice.

Expert educators

Learn from experienced academics with connections to industry and funded research projects.

Text And Media Video

Study the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education

Hear from students and teachers why RMIT’s Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education is the best choice to set you up for a rewarding career as an early childhood educator.

Portrait of Melanie Sharpham, Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education Melanie Sharpham, Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education
This graduate diploma has excellent grounding in the latest research, taught by world class lecturers. Students are supported by a mentor teacher for the duration of the course, demonstrating first-hand the key importance of belonging in any education environment.

Details

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In this graduate diploma, you will explore inclusive learning and teaching practices concerning age, gender, ethnicity and ability, as you learn a range of philosophies and theories concerning belonging, being and becoming in curricula which shape the field.

This course is taught using a block model mode of delivery, with each subject offered sequentially to facilitate focused learning and mastery.

Incursions and hands-on activities

RMIT Bundoora campus has a rich outdoor environment where you can engage in a range of incursions, excursions and hands-on activities using natural materials to explore age-relevant STEAM concepts and on-Country learning into classroom environments.  

You'll also gain insights into Indigenous perspectives and approaches, and hone your practice as informed by local and international trends and policies

Opportunities include:

  • Engaging with local Aboriginal community members as you gain knowledge of some of the oldest teaching methods in the world.

  • Joining in the Scar Tree Walk at Bundoora campus.

Assessments

Assessments are designed to increase your knowledge of contemporary issues in Early Childhood Education (ECE) services, enable you to understand the work requirements and prepare you as an effective educator within the ECE industry.

Placements

You will undertake placements in early childhood education and care settings, putting theories, concepts, and ideas into practice, while being mentored by qualified and experienced early childhood teachers.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT Capabilities

The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.

As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:

  • Ethical Global Citizens
  • Connected
  • Adaptive
  • Digitally Adept
  • Expert
  • Critically Engaged.

RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.

The School of Education has well-established links with early childhood education services in Australia and internationally.

Our academics work closely with early childhood teachers to respond to the needs and priorities of young learners. This collaboration opens the door to you finding opportunities to work within early childhood services. We receive regular notification from early childhood services when jobs become available, posing opportunities for new graduates.

This graduate diploma responds to current and arising issues and challenges facing the early childhood sector. You will have opportunities to work with and be mentored by early childhood educators in their professional placements, and in studio-based activities.

This graduate diploma typically requires between 30 and 40 hours of study per week, depending on your course load.

This includes both independent and guided study as well as placement days in early childhood education and care settings.

There is also a requirement of 60 days' placement over the duration of this qualification, specifically:

  • 15-day placement with birth to three-year-olds (Childhood Expression: Creative Practice and Language)
  • 20-day placement with three to five-year-olds (Integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Early Childhood Education)
  • 25-day placement with three to five-year-olds (Professional Practices in Early Childhood Education).

The total work-based training hours for this program is 420 hours (35 hours per week x 12 weeks).

Domestic students are able to study online and complete placements in regional Victoria or interstate.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

This graduate diploma has excellent grounding in the latest research including STEAM and play-based learning pedagogies, taught by world class lecturers. 

This graduate diploma has clear links with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), with subjects structured around Belonging, Being and Becoming. 

To graduate you must complete the following subjects sequentially:

  1. Inclusive Pedagogies for Early Childhood Education
  2. Childhood Expression: Creative Practice and Language
  3. Integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Early Childhood Education.
  4. Professional Practices in Early Childhood Education

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Please note: The GD204 plan is no longer available for new applicants.

Applicants should apply for GD204P25 Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Program code: GD204
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Bundoora Campus
1 year full-time (2 semesters); 2 years part-time (4 semesters)
GD204
0100711
Location
Bundoora Campus
Duration
1 year full-time (2 semesters); 2 years part-time (4 semesters)
Plan code
GD204
CRICOS
0100711
View plan
Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Bundoora Campus
1 year full-time
GD204
0100711
Location
Bundoora Campus
Duration
1 year full-time
Plan code
GD204
CRICOS
0100711
View plan
Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Bundoora Campus
1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
GD204P25
0100711
Location
Bundoora Campus
Duration
1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Plan code
GD204P25
CRICOS
0100711
View plan
Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Bundoora Campus
1 year full-time
GD204P25
0100711
Location
Bundoora Campus
Duration
1 year full-time
Plan code
GD204P25
CRICOS
0100711
View plan

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

Upon completion of this graduate diploma, you will be qualified to teach in early childhood education settings in most states in Australia and overseas.

The market for early childhood teachers is forecast to remain strong over the coming years. Jobs and Skills Australia projects that work opportunities for early childhood teachers are set to increase by 5.6% to 2028.

If you are interested in teaching outside of Victoria or overseas, registration will be subject to the criteria of the relevant state or overseas accrediting authorities and you are advised to seek information on what is required.

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The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education is accredited with the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Graduates of accredited programs may apply for registration and work in Australian early childhood education and care settings with children aged birth to five years.

Graduates are also eligible to apply for registration as an early childhood teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in any discipline.

Selection for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) is competitive, and places are limited. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible. You will be selected based on your grade point average (GPA).

The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education has English language requirements which are specific to this degree.

*If your qualification was completed more than 10 years ago you will need to provide evidence of ongoing professional work and/or professional development in the same discipline as the program for which you are seeking entry to be granted credit.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

If you did not complete your bachelor degree in English at an approved institution in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America you must complete one of the following English proficiency tests or an approved Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) English Language Test:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band below 6.5)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 94 (with minimum of 19 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 24 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 58)
  • C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: minimum of 185 with no less than 176 in any component. 

The test must be taken no more than two years prior to the RMIT program commencement date. 

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in any discipline.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

If you did not complete your bachelor degree in English at an approved institution in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America within five years prior to the RMIT program commencement date, you must complete one of the following English proficiency tests or an approved Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) English Language Test:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band below 6.5)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 94 (with minimum of 19 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 24 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 58)
  • C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: minimum of 185 with no less than 176 in any component.

The test must be taken no more than two years prior to the RMIT program commencement date.

Additional information

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Working with Children Check (WWC)

Applicants will be required to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children (WWC) Check (valid for 5 years) prior to undertaking professional placement as part of this program.

Note: For placements undertaken interstate a valid WWC Check is required for that state.

For more information visit the Working With Children Check website.

Vaccination

Some child care centres may require you to provide evidence of vaccination prior to undertaking professional experience.

Non-academic abilities you’ll need to complete this program

The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.

The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.

If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.

By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:

  • understand more about the program
  • determine if you may need support during your studies
  • make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you

If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.

To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service

The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.

View inherent requirements

Pathways

You can gain entry to this graduate diploma from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.

Learn more about RMIT undergraduate programs

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Find out if you might be eligible

Upon successful completion of this program, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, such as a MR209 Master of Education by research, subject to program’s entrance requirements.

You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.

Learn more about RMIT undergraduate programs

Credit

Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this program you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, such as a MR209 Master of Education by research, subject to program entry requirements.

Explore postgraduate degrees

Fees

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Entry for this program is primarily through Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs).

Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.

2025 indicative fees

Commonwealth supported places

  • 2025 Commonwealth supported places (CSP) range from AU$4,627 to AU$16,992*. 

Full-fee places

  • Full-fee places: AU$26,880* (2025 total).

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

  • You may be eligible to apply for a HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
  • For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.

Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.

How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?

The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package. 

The fees in the table below apply to students who commence their program in 2025. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.

Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.

You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2025 for commencing students

Student contribution band by course (subject)

Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2025
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture $4,627 per standard year
$578 per standard (12 credit point) course
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology $9,314 per standard year
$1,164 per standard (12 credit point) course
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science $13,241 per standard year
$1,655 per standard (12 credit point) course
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture $16,992 per standard year
$2,124 per standard (12 credit point) course

Student Learning Entitlement

On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).

  • The SLE allows students 7 years of full-time subsidised study in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).
  • Your total SLE amount will be reduced in accordance with your overall study load in a CSP. 
  • Once you have utilised all your SLE, you can not longer study in a CSP.

For more information about SLE, visit Study Assist.

If you are offered a full-fee place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

HECS-HELP Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.

FEE-HELP loans

Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

This program is approved for income support.

You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.

If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365. 

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Explore scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions
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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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