Eligibility Review
We review your early childhood work history and current responsibilities to identify whether this pathway may suit you.
Our Services
Our Services
Evidence Review
We help identify relevant workplace evidence such as observations, learning records, activity plans and employment documents.
Workplace Hours Check
We review whether your existing Australian early childhood employment may support the required workplace hours.
Pathway Support
We help organise your experience and supporting evidence before formal assessment by the Registered Training Organisation.
Qualification Overview
Qualification Overview
Qualification CodeCHC30125
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
The current qualification requires at least 160 hours of work in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.
| Qualification Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Code | CHC30125 |
| Qualification | Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care |
| Total Units | 17 |
| Core Units | 15 |
| Electives | 2 |
| Entry Requirements | None |
| Minimum Workplace Hours | 160 hours |
| Workplace Setting | Regulated Australian children's education and care service |
| Status | Current |
| ACECQA Approval | Nationally approved |
Suitable Roles
Who May Be Suitable?
This pathway may suit experienced:
Early Childhood Educators
Childcare Workers
Family Day Care Educators
Kindergarten Assistants
Preschool Assistants
Long Day Care Educators
Relevant experience should involve direct work with children, not simply employment within a childcare organisation.
Recognised Experience
What Experience Can Be Recognised?
Your existing work may include:
Supporting children's health and wellbeing
Building positive relationships with children
Supporting inclusion and diversity
Planning play-based experiences
Using approved learning frameworks
Observing children's development
Supporting babies and toddlers
Creating safe learning environments
Supporting children's connection with nature
Completing learning documentation
Following legal and ethical requirements
Applying child-safety and WHS procedures
The qualification is specifically designed for educators working in services such as long day care, family day care, preschools and kindergartens.
Australian Workplace Hours
Australian Workplace Hours
This is one of the most important requirements.
160 Hours
You must complete at least 160 hours of work in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.
Australian Service
If you already work in an Australian service, your current or previous employment may help demonstrate this requirement.
RTO Decision
The RTO must determine whether your workplace experience meets the assessment requirements across the relevant units.
160 hours of general childcare experience is not automatically enough.
Practical Experience With Children
Practical Experience With Children
This qualification cannot be assessed from paperwork alone.
Several competencies require practical demonstration in an early childhood environment, including experience with:
Babies
Toddlers
Children's routines
Play and learning
Observations
Approved learning frameworks
Health and safety
Relationships with children
This is especially important for applicants who have only worked with one age group.
For example, someone who has worked only with preschool-aged children may still need to demonstrate competencies involving babies and toddlers.
Evidence Checklist
What Evidence May You Need?
Relevant evidence may include:
Updated CV
Employment Contract
Position Description
Employer Reference
Rosters
Payslips
Child Observations
Learning Plans
Activity Plans
Reflection Records
Risk Assessments
Training Certificates
First Aid Certificate
Professional Development
You do not need every document listed above. The assessor determines what evidence is required based on your existing skills and the units being assessed.
Protect Children's Privacy
Protect Children's Privacy
Early childhood evidence can contain sensitive information about children and families.
Documents such as:
Observations
Learning records
Incident reports
Health information
Family communication
These may need to be appropriately redacted or de-identified before being used as evidence.
Workplace privacy requirements and RTO instructions should always be followed.
Child Safety Requirements
Current Child Safety Requirements
National child safety training is now mandatory for people working or volunteering in regulated early childhood education and care services.
Foundation training applies across the sector, with advanced training also being introduced during 2026.
These requirements are separate from the 17 units in the qualification but are relevant to people working in regulated services.
Overseas Childcare Experience
Can Overseas Childcare Experience Be Used?
Relevant overseas experience may potentially contribute to the assessment of your existing skills.
However, overseas work alone does not satisfy the mandatory 160 hours in a regulated Australian service, because those hours must be completed in Australia.
Additional Australian competency may also need to be demonstrated in areas such as:
Approved learning frameworks
Australian child-safety requirements
Legal and ethical obligations
Workplace health and safety
Service policies and procedures
CHC30121
Looking for CHC30121?
CHC30121 has been superseded by the current CHC30125 qualification.
The two qualifications are officially recorded as equivalent. The structure remains 17 units with a 160-hour Australian workplace requirement.
For new enquiries in 2026, the current qualification should be assessed.
Qualification Level
Is This the Right Level for You?
Certificate III generally suits experienced educators who already perform practical early childhood support and education duties.
If your current role involves higher-level responsibilities such as curriculum development, program leadership, compliance or supervising educators, a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care pathway may better reflect your existing experience.
The correct qualification should match the work you already perform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my existing early childhood experience be recognised?
Potentially. Your existing skills, workplace experience and evidence must demonstrate the required competencies, including applicable workplace and practical requirements.
Do I need 160 hours?
Yes. The qualification requires at least 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.
Can overseas childcare experience count?
Potentially as part of your evidence, but overseas experience does not replace the required Australian workplace hours.
Does babysitting experience count?
Informal babysitting may demonstrate some experience with children, but it does not by itself satisfy the regulated Australian workplace requirements.
Is CHC30121 still current?
No. It has been superseded by the current qualification.
Already Working in Early Childhood Education and Care?
Already Working in Early Childhood Education and Care?
If you already support children's learning, development, wellbeing and safety in an Australian regulated service, your experience may be suitable for formal assessment.