If you’re considering exploring a career in childcare, you might be wondering what the basic requirements are for working in the industry. Perhaps you’re wondering if there’s a way to get started in the industry without any formal qualifications, or you’d like to know how much study is required before you can get to work. Early childhood education in Australia is subject to strict standards to ensure children are receiving high-quality care. Read on to find out more about the minimum requirements for working in childcare in Australia.

Can you work in childcare without qualifications in Australia? 

The short answer is no. Working in childcare is a huge responsibility and requires knowledge of how to safely care for babies and young children as well as how to support holistic development through play, and much more. Therefore, everyone who works in early childhood education will require a formal qualification, although the level of education required will depend on the specific setting and the role.

What are the basic requirements for a childcare job?

• Police and Working With Children Checks

If you’re looking to become an early childhood educator, you’ll need to hold a valid NSW Police Check and a Working With Children Check. Both of these are fairly easy to obtain. You simply need to fill out an online application and pay the application fee. As long as you haven’t committed any crimes which preclude you from working with children, this step should be no problem. While you’ll definitely need to hold valid Police and Working With Children Checks to work in an early childhood education setting, you may also need to hold these before you even enrol in an early childhood education TAFE or university course. 

• Formal qualifications

There are a number of different formal qualifications ranging from a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care from TAFE or another vocational education provider to a Bachelor or Masters of Education (Early Childhood) from a university. No matter which qualification you choose, you will need to complete a work placement with an early childhood education provider as part of your course. In these cases, you are legally able to work in an early childhood setting prior to becoming fully qualified, although this may not be paid work. For Certificate III, students will need to complete a minimum of 120 hours of work placement before they can become fully qualified, but you can start working as a casual educator with Z Staffing once you have completed at least 50 hours of work placement. 

Once you have obtained the minimum qualification to work in early childhood education (the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care) you can continue to build on your education and training and improve your job prospects and remuneration by adding a diploma or even a bachelor's degree while you are already working in the industry. The higher the level of your qualification, the more you will be paid. Further education can also open up new job opportunities such as a supervisor or centre manager role. While completing your education in Early Childhood Education may take years, it can often be completed alongside paid employment in the industry. If you’re enrolled in a Certificate III and have completed 50 hours of work placement, you are eligible to start accepting casual shifts with Z Staffing. 

• First Aid Certificate

While it’s not absolutely compulsory that all early childhood educators hold a valid First Aid Certificate, it’s usually a good idea to have one before you apply for any positions and it may be a requirement of your course. This is because according to the requirements of the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), each centre must have a qualified first aid person on-site at all times. If you hold your First Aid Certificate, you’ll be easier to roster onto shifts, plus you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing you have the skills to help if an emergency occurs. First Aid Certificates are valid for 3 years, so it’s worth renewing yours when it expires to make sure your skills are up to date as this would support your application. Z Staffing does not require that casual educators hold their First Aid Certificate, but it may support your application, so it’s always handy to have.

So, in short, if you’re considering a career in childcare, you will definitely require a formal qualification. The fastest way to get started working in a childcare centre is to study a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care which can be completed in as little as 6 months. If you’re comparing educational providers, Z Staffing recommends Foundation Education, as they offer flexible online study, dedicated student support, and industry-relevant course that are designed in consultation with industry experts to ensure you have the most relevant up-to-date skills. From there, you can start earning an income as an educator straight away, while adding to your education and training with additional courses if you’d like to.

At Z Staffing we require all educators to hold at minimum a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. We will also verify you have a valid Police and Working With Children Check before you get started.  Find out more about becoming a Z Staffing for childcare educators here.