How to become an Early Childhood Educator
Supports learning and development for young children in regulated centre-based services, including contributing to the educational program and practice using an approved learning framework.
Main tasks
- Contributes to the design, planning, implementation, documentation and evaluation of children's educational programs based on an approved learning framework
- Develops and maintains positive relationships with staff, children and families
- Supports the daily routines, transitions and programs of babies, toddlers and/or young children
- Complies with service policies and national and/or state-based legislation
- Promotes the safety, health and wellbeing of staff, children and visitors
- Supports children's learning, development and wellbeing
Ways in
- University: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 37 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121); Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121); Certificate III in School Based Education Support (CHC30221)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $69,732 a year
- About 172,400 people work in this job group now, and about 180,200 are projected by 2035. (+4.5%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Related jobs
- Early Childhood Education Room Leader
- Out of School Hours Care Educator
- Family Day Care Coordinator
- Family Day Care Educator
- Nanny
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Questions people ask
How do I become an Early Childhood Educator?
Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care; Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
How much does an Early Childhood Educator earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $69,732 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is an Early Childhood Educator a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 172,400 to about 180,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become an Early Childhood Educator?
Not always. 32% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care; Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Will AI change the work of an Early Childhood Educator?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04