Study to PR Guide: Early Childhood Teaching in Australia.

Last Updated: 4th September 2026

For many international students, Early Childhood Education is one of the most attractive study choices in Australia.

It is practical, career-focused, and connected to an industry that continues to need more qualified workers across the country.

Early Childhood Education in Australia: A Career With Strong Demand

Australia continues to need more qualified Early Childhood Teachers, and this is not simply a short-term demand.

Jobs and Skills Australia currently reports around 71,900 Early Childhood Teachers working across Australia, with approximately 2,700 in annual employment growth. Median full-time earnings are also around AU$1,906 per week. More importantly, Early Childhood Teachers continue to be identified as an occupation where demand is outpacing the supply of qualified workers.

Unlike some occupations where job opportunities may be concentrated in certain cities or industries, Early Childhood Education is needed almost everywhere. Childcare centres, kindergartens, preschools and early learning services operate across every state and territory.

For international students, this creates several important advantages.

There are strong employment opportunities after graduation, competitive earning potential, and more flexibility to look for work across different parts of Australia.

Early Childhood Teacher is also connected to Australia’s skilled migration system, giving eligible graduates different migration pathways to explore after completing their studies.

This combination of career demand + migration opportunities is why Early Childhood Education continues to be a popular option for students planning to build a longer-term future in Australia.

However, choosing the right course is only part of the journey.

If your goal is to build experience earlier, save on tuition fees and prepare for future migration opportunities, how you structure your studies can make a big difference.

A Smarter Way to Study Early Childhood Education With TAFE SA

For students who have completed Year 11, IGCSE or an equivalent qualification, the traditional route into university may require completing a foundation program first.

For example, if your goal is to complete the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) at Adelaide University, the conventional pathway could look like:

1 Year Foundation Studies → 3 Years Bachelor of Teaching

The total study duration is around four years.

However, there is another way to reach the same university goal.

Through TAFE SA’s University Packaged Program, eligible students can begin with practical Early Childhood Education qualifications at TAFE SA before progressing into Adelaide University.

For a Year 11 or IGCSE student, the pathway can look like:

Year 1: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care – TAFE SA (CRICOS Code: 119573H; National Code: CHC30125)
Year 2: Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care – TAFE SA (CRICOS Code: 118570H; National Code: CHC50125)
Years 3–4: Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) – Adelaide University (CRICOS Code 115761C)

TAFE SA’s packaged offers allow students to secure a pathway into their nominated university program before beginning their studies. Upon successfully completing the required TAFE SA qualification, students can then progress into the packaged university degree.

The biggest difference?

You are still studying for approximately four years and progressing towards the same Adelaide University bachelor’s degree, but the structure can be much more affordable and practical.

✔ Save Approximately AU$51,000 in Tuition Fees*

For many families, university tuition fees are one of the biggest considerations when choosing where and how to study.

This is where the TAFE SA packaged pathway can make a significant difference.

Based on the 2027 fee comparison:

This means students could potentially save around AU$51,000 in tuition fees*, without adding additional years to their overall study journey.

For families planning an international education budget, this is a significant saving.

And importantly, students still finish their pathway with the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) from Adelaide University.

*Fee figures used in this comparison are based on 2027 course fees available at the time of publication and are indicative only. Tuition fees, incidental fees and other costs may change at any time without notice. Please contact our education team for the latest course fees and availability.

✔ More Than Just a Cheaper Pathway

The TAFE SA pathway is not just about saving AU$50,000.

It gives students a different way to structure their education.

Instead of:

Foundation → University → Graduate

Students can build their pathway progressively:

Certificate III → Diploma → University → Graduate

Along the way, they gain recognised qualifications, practical training and industry experience.

For students who are planning ahead for their career and future migration options in Australia, this can provide a much stronger starting point.

✔ Gain Practical Qualifications Earlier

One of the biggest advantages of starting at TAFE SA is that students are not simply waiting four years to receive their first qualification.

Students progressively complete:

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
↓
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
↓
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

The Certificate III is the minimum qualification required for many early childhood educator roles, while the Diploma can prepare students for more senior responsibilities such as room leader, educational leader, assistant director or centre director.

This means students can start building relevant qualifications much earlier in their study journey.

For international students who want to start building industry experience while studying, this can be a major advantage.

✔ Build Real Experience Through Industry Placement

Early Childhood Education is a very practical career.

Knowing the theory is important, but being comfortable working with children, families and other educators is just as important.

This is where TAFE SA’s vocational training structure really stands out.

The Certificate III includes 160 hours of work placement, while the Diploma includes another 280 hours.

That means students can complete approximately 440 hours of industry placement before they even progress into university.

Instead of spending the first few years focusing mostly on classroom learning, students can start developing practical skills and understanding how early learning environments actually operate.

This can help students become more confident and job-ready earlier.

✔ Study With a Strong Vocational Training Provider

TAFE SA is one of Australia’s largest vocational education and training providers.

Its courses are designed around practical learning, industry placements and skills that students can take directly into the workplace.

For Early Childhood Education students, this is particularly valuable.

The first two years are not simply being used as a cheaper way into university.

Students are building practical qualifications, completing industry placements and developing skills that can help them start working towards their career before completing their bachelor’s degree.

Early Childhood Education and PR: How the Pathway Typically Works

Early Childhood Education is also attractive because qualified Early Childhood Teachers are connected to Australia’s skilled migration system.

Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher – ANZSCO 241111 is currently recognised as a skilled occupation, with ACECQA acting as the relevant migration skills assessing authority. It is also currently included on Australia’s Core Skills Occupation List.

Depending on your circumstances and the migration rules in place when you graduate, the pathway may look something like this:

Step 1: Complete your Early Childhood Teaching qualification

Complete your TAFE SA pathway and Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education).

Step 2: Start building relevant work experience

After gaining the appropriate qualification, graduates can begin building professional experience in Australia’s early childhood sector.

Eligible international graduates may also be able to explore the Temporary Graduate visa after completing their studies.

Step 3: Prepare for skills assessment

For Early Childhood Teachers, applicants generally need to complete a suitable migration skills assessment through ACECQA before progressing with relevant skilled migration pathways.

Step 4: Explore your skilled migration options

Depending on your points, occupation, work experience, location and other eligibility requirements, graduates may be able to explore skilled visa pathways such as the 189 Skilled Independent visa, 190 Skilled Nominated visa or 491 Skilled Work Regional visa.

State nomination requirements can be different across Australia, so where you live and work after graduation may also become an important part of your migration strategy.

Step 5: Explore Employer Sponsorship

Skilled migration is not the only potential pathway.

Early Childhood Teacher is also included on Australia’s Core Skills Occupation List, meaning eligible graduates may also be able to explore employer-sponsored pathways where the requirements are met.

Having different pathways available can provide graduates with more flexibility when planning their longer-term future.

Of course, studying Early Childhood Education does not guarantee permanent residency.

Migration rules, occupation lists and state nomination requirements can change, which is why students should plan their course and migration pathway carefully from the beginning.

Apply With An Official TAFE SA Partner Agent

Hays Migration & Education is an official partner agent of TAFE SA, giving our team access to the latest and most accurate course information, university packaged offers and scholarship opportunities.

With over 15 years of experience in education and migration consulting, our team can support you through every stage – from choosing the right course and submitting your application to Student visa processing and future migration planning.

If you are considering Early Childhood Education in Australia, our education team can help you compare the conventional university pathway with TAFE SA’s packaged program and find the most suitable option based on your academic background, budget and long-term plans.

Contact us today to explore your Early Childhood Education study pathway in South Australia.

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