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LIHE

Courses

Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education

Overview

The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education is designed to prepare you for a successful career educating and caring for young children. This course builds a strong foundation in child development and curriculum practice, helping you develop the skills needed to work in a wide range of early childhood settings.

Whether you're aiming to become an early childhood educator, centre director, or advocate for children's learning, this course equips you with the practical and professional skills to make a lasting difference.

CRICOS Code

117610B

Level

Graduate Diploma

Mode

On-Campus

Duration

1 Year Full-Time

Campus

Parramatta, Sydney

Accreditation

ACECQA Approved

What You'll Learn

Child Development Theory

Understand core child development principles and how they work in practice.

Curriculum Planning

Learn to plan and deliver engaging early childhood curriculum.

Inclusive Practice

Develop responsible and inclusive approaches to early childhood education.

Professional Practice

Undertake professional work placement in real settings.

Placement and Accreditation

Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

Students enrolled in LIHE's Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education undertake Work Integrated Learning (WIL) as an integral part of their course. WIL provides students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge, develop practical skills and gain valuable experience in a professional early childhood education setting.

Students complete 60 days of professional placement, totalling 450 hours, across the course. This includes 30 days of placement at the end of each semester, undertaken in an approved early childhood education setting.

Through these placements, students gain hands-on experience working in real-world early childhood environments and develop their professional knowledge, skills and confidence in preparation for their future careers in early childhood education.

ACECQA-Approved Qualification

LIHE's Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education is an ACECQA-approved early childhood teaching qualification under the National Quality Framework (NQF). The qualification is approved for the Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) category.

The Simulation Room

The Parramatta campus has a purpose-built early childhood simulation room — a full early learning environment with the resources, furniture and equipment of a real service. You practise setting up experiences, working with materials and running routines here before you step into a placement.

  • LIHE's early childhood simulation room at the Parramatta campus, with rainbow and jungle murals and learning centres set up across the floor
  • Infant care area of the simulation room, with a changing station, high chairs and safe-sleep posters
  • Art station in the simulation room, with an easel, paint cart and student artworks
  • Play and activity area of the simulation room, with child-sized furniture, a crib and a welcome board for graduate diploma students

Your Learning Experience

You'll learn from experienced educators and industry professionals, gaining insights into how early childhood education works in practice. Coursework combines theory with hands-on placement experience to help you confidently support young children's learning and development.

Three students smiling together on campus

Learn from Experts

Gain practical insights from experienced educators and industry professionals.

Build Practical Skills

Connect early childhood theory with real-world classroom practice.

Shape Your Studies

Choose electives in areas like inclusive practice and family engagement.

Prepare for Your Career

Develop the practical, professional, and communication skills needed for early childhood roles.

Course Structure

  • LEC801Foundations and Principles of Early Childhood Education
  • LEC802Planning for Learning and Development (Birth – 35 months)
  • LEC804Planning for Learning and Development (Three to Five Years including transition to school)
  • LEC803Language and Literacy in Early ChildhoodFull year
  • LEC808Professional PracticeFull yearInvolves professional training experience — see Work Integrated Learning above.

Fees

2026
Full course fee
A$19,200
Course duration
1 year

Tuition Protection Service (TPS)

LIHE participates in the TPS, which ensures that if we cannot fully deliver your course, you will be placed in a suitable alternative course or refunded your unspent fees.

Fees and Refunds

Our fees, payment schedules, and refund entitlements are detailed in the LIHE Refund Policy, provided at offer stage. Refund entitlements depend on timing of withdrawal; provider default entitles students to a refund or alternative placement under TPS rules.

Notes

  • All fees and charges listed are in Australian dollars.
  • Fees are subject to change without notice.
  • Course fees are to be paid in full before enrolment or selection of subjects in any given semester.
  • LIHE ensures that the conditions and processes for international and domestic students to apply for a refund of tuition fees are equitable and comply with government regulations.
Refund Policy for International and Domestic Students

Where this qualification takes you

Early childhood education is one of Australia's fastest-growing professions, and this is an ACECQA-approved route into it.

Roles graduates pursue

  • Early Childhood Teacher
  • Room Leader
  • Educational Leader
  • Centre Director
  • Curriculum Coordinator
  • Family Day Care Educator

Sectors

  • Long day care
  • Preschool and kindergarten
  • Outside school hours care
  • Early intervention services
  • Community and not-for-profit services
An early childhood educator reading with young children in a bright classroom

Academic Requirements

Before applying, make sure you meet the entry requirements for your chosen course. Find out more about the academic qualifications, English language requirements, and supporting documents you may need to provide as part of your application.

View Entry Requirements

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what students ask most about this course. Can't see your question? Talk to us.

  • How long does the course take?

    The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education takes 1 year of full-time study, on campus in Parramatta, Sydney.

  • Is the course accredited?

    Yes. The course is approved by ACECQA, the national authority for early childhood education and care. It is approved for the Early Childhood Teacher category under the National Quality Framework. Teacher registration requirements vary by state and territory; the Placement & Accreditation section of this page explains more.

  • Does the course include a placement?

    Yes. You complete 60 days of professional placement, 450 hours in total: 30 days at the end of each semester, in an approved early childhood education setting. The Placement & Accreditation section of this page has the detail.

  • When can I start?

    Applications are open for the September 2026 intake. Key dates for each study period are in the Academic Calendar.

  • What are the entry requirements?

    Academic qualifications, English language requirements and the supporting documents you will need are all set out on the Entry Requirements page. If you are unsure whether your qualifications meet them, contact us before you apply.

  • Can international students apply?

    Yes. The course is registered on CRICOS (code 117610B), so it can be studied on an Australian student visa.

    The Student Visa page explains the visa requirements, and the Education Agents page explains how applying through a registered agent works — though you can always apply to LIHE directly.

  • How much does the course cost?

    Tuition fees for domestic and international students are listed in the Fees section of this page, along with how fees are charged and LIHE's refund and tuition protection arrangements.

  • Who can I talk to before applying?

    Talk to our admissions team through the Contact page, call +61 2 7232 1822 or email info@lihe.edu.au. You are also welcome to visit the campus at Level 1, 37-39 George Street, Parramatta.

Admission

Start Your Early Childhood Education Career.

February, July and September intakes

Take the first step toward a career in early childhood education — apply to the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education today.

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