Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood
1 year full-time Melbourne CBD In person and online ACECQA approved
Next intake: Monday 23 November 2026
A postgraduate qualification (AQF Level 8) for graduates of any discipline who want to move into early childhood teaching and leadership.
Opens your print dialog · choose “Save as PDF”
One specialist course.
The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood is the only course we run. It’s an AQF Level 8 award (TEQSA accredited) for graduates who want to move into early childhood teaching and leadership.
You’ll build advanced knowledge of early childhood pedagogy, child development and educational leadership, combined with practical teaching skills. By the end you’ll be able to design inclusive curricula, lead in early learning settings, and support the learning of every child from birth to age five. It’s all grounded in reflective practice and cultural competence.
Four areas the course covers.
In this course we bring together the foundations of expert early childhood teaching. (See the full unit structure below.)
Child development, birth to five
How children grow, think and learn in the earliest years, and what it means for everyday teaching.
Play-based pedagogy
Designing intentional, play-based learning and curriculum that meets children where they are.
Inclusive & responsive practice
Culturally responsive, inclusive teaching that serves every child and family.
Leadership & professional practice
Leading teams and settings with ethics, reflection and confident judgement.
What a week looks like.
In each taught unit, your week follows the same rhythm.
Before class
Read and watch in Moodle at your own pace, with a question to think about.
In class
Seminars and workshops, in person or live online, in a small group, with time to talk it through and practise.
After class
Reflect on what you learned, connect it to practice, and work on your assessment.
Eight units. One hundred credit points.
You’ll take seven core units plus one elective, taught one at a time in intensive blocks. Each taught unit runs for four weeks. The course includes 60 days of supervised placement.
The gold blocks, GD104 and GD109, are the two professional practice placements. The sequence is indicative, and we confirm it when you enrol.
| Type | Unit | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Core | GD101 Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 10 |
| Core | GD102 Child Development and Learning | 10 |
| Core | GD103 Inclusive Education | 10 |
| Core | GD104 Professional Practice 1 | 20 |
| Core | GD105 Curriculum Design and Assessment | 10 |
| Elective (choose one) | STEAM in Early Childhood · Leadership and Management in Early Childhood | 10 |
| Core | GD108 Advanced Pedagogical Strategies | 10 |
| Core | GD109 Professional Practice 2 and Critical Reflection | 20 |
The two professional practice units include 60 days of supervised placement in licensed early learning settings, arranged with our support.
How the teaching works.
How study is organised
The course combines in-person sessions, live online teaching and independent learning in your own time. Your course materials, submissions and feedback live in Moodle, our online learning environment.
Small cohorts, one-to-one mentoring
You’ll get one-to-one guidance from experienced early childhood academics and practitioners who know you.
Professional experience
You’ll complete 60 days of supervised professional placement across two professional practice units, in licensed early learning settings. We help you find and prepare for it.
Entry requirements
- A completed bachelor’s degree in any discipline (or equivalent).
- No prior teaching experience required.
- Recognition of prior learning (RPL) considered case by case.
- English language and suitability requirements apply.
Full detail is on the Entry Requirements page. The application steps are on How to Apply.
Recognition & accreditation
The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood is an AQF Level 8 qualification delivered by Fairmont College Australia. It is TEQSA accredited, and Fairmont is registered with TEQSA and listed on the National Register.
Fees
Indicative: final fees are confirmed before each intake.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition (domestic) | $10,000 |
| FEE-HELP | Not currently available |
All fees are in Australian dollars (AUD).
Full fee and FEE-HELP detail on the Fees page.
Career outcomes
- Early childhood teacher (birth to five settings)
- Room or centre leadership, with experience
- Curriculum, pedagogy and quality roles
- Further study (admission is decided by the institution you apply to)
- Subject to applicable registration and employment requirements.
Explore outcomes on the Careers page.
Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood
- →A bachelor’s degree in any field
- →No prior teaching experience needed
- →RPL considered
- →Early childhood teacher (birth to five)
- →Room or centre leadership, with experience
- →Curriculum & pedagogy roles
- Subject to applicable registration and employment requirements.
Take the first step.
Applications are open for domestic students. Apply through our student portal, or talk to our team about your background and whether this course is the right fit.
Apply now ↗ EnquireCommon questions.
Do I need a background in education?
No. The course is designed for graduates of any discipline. Your bachelor’s degree is the main academic entry requirement. English requirements apply, and you’ll need a Working with Children Check and a National Police Check before your first placement.
Can I study while I work?
The course combines in-person sessions, live online teaching and independent learning, with set session times. Timetables are published before each unit begins. Talk to us about how it can fit around your work. The course includes 60 days of supervised placement, and we’ll support you to arrange it.
Can international students enrol?
No. Fairmont is not registered on CRICOS, so we can’t enrol students who need a student visa. See the International Students page.
Is the qualification recognised?
Yes. The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood is an ACECQA approved early childhood teaching qualification (approved 17 August 2026). It is an AQF Level 8 award. Fairmont is TEQSA registered and the course is TEQSA accredited. The Recognition & Accreditation page has the full detail.
More answers on the FAQs page.
Qualify in a year.
Apply through our student portal, or send an enquiry and we’ll guide you through it.