Gain the knowledge, leadership capabilities and practical experience to thrive as a contemporary early childhood educator.
The Master of Teaching Practice (Early Childhood) prepares you to become a confident, reflective and sector-ready early childhood teacher who can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, families and communities.
Delivered at RMIT's Melbourne City campus, this two-year master's degree combines evidence-informed teaching with extensive professional experience, giving you the opportunity to apply theory to practice in diverse early childhood settings from the beginning of your studies.
You will develop expertise in inclusive pedagogies, creative practice, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, literacy, wellbeing, community partnerships, research and leadership. Through authentic learning experiences and industry engagement, you will build the professional capabilities required to work with children from birth to five years.
With 80 days of work-integrated learning, including experiences across birth-to-three and birth-to-five settings, you will graduate with deeper practical knowledge and stronger industry connections than many comparable programs.
Learning is collaborative, practical, and responsive to the changing needs of the profession. You will work alongside experienced educators and researchers, engage with contemporary educational issues, and develop the confidence to create inclusive, creative and culturally sustaining learning environments where every child can thrive.
As a graduate, you will be equipped with the knowledge, practical expertise and leadership capabilities to build a rewarding career across the early childhood sector and support the next generation of learners, families and communities.
Gain 80 days of practical experience across diverse early childhood settings. Build the confidence, skills and professional identity needed to make a positive difference in the lives of young children and their families.
Develop advanced skills in educational leadership, children’s wellbeing, literacy and applied research. Learn to use evidence to lead positive change across early childhood education and care settings.
Learn to design innovative, play-based and child-safe learning experiences that value culture, diversity and inclusion, and support children’s wellbeing, belonging and learning.
Learning is hands-on, collaborative, and connected to professional practice. You will participate in interactive workshops, case studies, group projects, reflective activities, and extensive work-integrated learning experiences that enable you to apply educational theory in authentic early childhood settings.
The program emphasises evidence-informed, project-based and practice-focused learning, helping you develop the knowledge, skills and professional identity required for a successful career in early childhood education.
Assessment tasks reflect contemporary professional practice and may include teaching portfolios, curriculum and learning plans, reflective journals, presentations, case studies, research projects, group work and placement-based assessments.
These authentic assessments are designed to help you demonstrate your understanding of children's learning and development while building practical skills that directly translate to professional contexts.
RMIT maintains strong partnerships with early childhood providers and community organisations, ensuring students benefit from high-quality placements and authentic learning experiences.
Through 80 days of work-integrated learning, students develop professional networks, gain practical experience across diverse settings and graduate with the skills and confidence sought by employers across the sector.
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.
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:
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.
Students benefit from RMIT's global outlook and engagement with international perspectives on early childhood education. The program explores culturally sustaining pedagogies and prepares graduates to work with diverse communities within Australia and internationally.
RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through overseas work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
Full- or part-time study is determined by how many credit points you are enrolled in during the semester. An undergraduate study load is considered part-time if you are enrolled in 24 credit points or fewer (approximately two subjects).
Once you are enrolled into this degree you can choose to switch to a part-time study load. This may impact your program duration and tuition fees. Please discuss your study options with your program manager prior to enrolment.
International student visa holders can only study full-time.
International student visa holders can only study full-time.
Shape the lives of young people and impact future generations in Australia and around the world.
Graduates may pursue careers including:
The average salary for a kindergarten teacher in Australia is $90,000 per year*.
The average salary for an early childhood leader in Australia is $93,000 per year*.
The average salary for an educational leader in Australia is $95,000 per year*.
*Source: www.seek.com.au 2026
The Master of Teaching Practice (Early Childhood) is designed to meet the requirements for accreditation by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), subject to final approval.
Graduates will be qualified to work as early childhood teachers with children from birth to five years in early childhood education and care settings.
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's 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, you must complete one of the following English proficiency tests or an approved Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) English Language Test:
The test must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the RMIT course commencement date.
You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
You must have successfully completed a qualification recognised by RMIT as equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) with a minimum average of 65% (see calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies course or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
Note: RMIT does not accept scores from 'at-home' or 'online' testing.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English Language Pathways (Academic English) Advanced at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).
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.
By understanding the types of activities you'll participate in, you can:
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there is a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities.
Please contact the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team to discuss any adjustments you may require. To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.
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 course so that you can participate fully in your studies.
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.
Some child care centres may require you to provide evidence of vaccination prior to undertaking professional experience.
You 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 course.
Note: For placements undertaken interstate, a valid WWC Check is required for that state.
For the Primary and Early Childhood Education stream, you will also need to provide evidence that you have completed the child safe standard module: Protecting children: Mandatory reporting and other obligations.
You can gain entry to this master's degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate courses, if you meet the entry requirements.
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.
Upon successful completion of this master's degree, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related courses at RMIT University, such as the MR209 Master of Education by research, subject to degree’s entrance requirements.
You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate degrees.
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 degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Master by Research or Doctoral (PhD) degree.
Entry for this degree is primarily through Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs).
Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.
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.
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a 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.
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.
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 degree in 2027. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Each subject (course) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the subject.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all subjects in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in 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.
Student contribution band by subject |
Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2027 |
|---|---|
| Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture | $4,908 per standard year
$613 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 | $9,880 per standard year
$1,235 per standard (12 credit point) course |
| Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science | $14,046 per standard year
$1,755 per standard (12 credit point) course |
| Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture | $18,025 per standard year
$2,253 per standard (12 credit point) course |
On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).
If you are offered a full-fee place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your degree. 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 2027 is $386.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 2027 is $386.
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
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.
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.
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.
Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures
