Professional development and resources
Take control of your career by building on your qualifications, passion and experiences in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.
No matter where you are in your career or study journey, there are opportunities available for you to upskill. From required accreditation to exciting professional development (PD) opportunities, find out what additional training and support is available as you progress your career.
Learn more about Accreditation for early childhood teachers.
NSW ECEC Professional Learning Program
The NSW Department of Education is partnering with TAFE NSW to deliver a $10 million professional learning program for the ECEC sector, contributing to the NSW Government’s commitments to support the early learning workforce and restore TAFE as the heart of skills training in NSW.
The first phase of TAFE NSW’s online learning offering will be available to every ECEC teacher and educator in NSW by spring 2024.
The short online digital learning opportunities are designed by sector experts to upskill teachers and educators in key capabilities, supporting career growth, reducing burnout and providing valuable skills and knowledge to be used by ECEC professionals every day.
A targeted leadership development program will be rolled out in 2025 to further support workforce retention and career progression. Eligible participants in the leadership courses can apply for wage subsidy and other financial assistance to support their participation.
The professional learning is free, self-paced and available to ECEC professionals that live in NSW or work in a NSW service. Courses can be accessed through TAFE’s online learning platform, with new courses added regularly.
To find out more about the program and register your interest, visit TAFE NSW’s program webpageExternal link.
Professional learning catalogue
The Professional Leaning catalogue provides access to a suite of programs and short courses designed to enhance your practice.
A highly skilled and motivated workforce of ECEC professionals can make all the difference in the lives of children, families and communities. Whether you’re an educator, teacher, or service director, it’s important to continue to learn and grow.
We have a range of packages and programs to assist you and your employer, and to help you navigate the many avenues of professional development.
Find a programs and short courses to enhance your skills in our professional learning catalogue. Courses are available under:
- Australian Early Developmental Census (AEDC)
- cross curriculum
- culturally responsive practice
- early childhood curriculum and pedagogy
- National Quality Framework (NQF)
- transition to school
- young children with disability.
Child protection training
Nominated supervisors and persons in day-to-day charge must complete a child protection course. Find information on training requirements and refresher training on Child protection training requirements webpage.
ECEC Recognition of Prior Learning Upgrade Initiative
To address new prerequisite requirements in the latest Community Services (CHC) National Training Package, the department has developed a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) tool to support ECEC educators with outdated pre CHC30113 Certificate III qualifications who wish to progress to a diploma.
The initiative will support educators that meet the Smart and Skilled eligibility criteria to:
attain the CHC30121 Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care for both professional development and career pathway opportunities
meet the prerequisite requirements for the latest CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
The RPL tool will be delivered by 13 endorsed Registered Training Organisations across NSW.
You can learn more about the RPL tool in the Recognition of Prior Learning Upgrade Initiative flyer (PDF 824KB). Please contact the ECEC workforce team to identify the Smart and Skilled providers who are approved to deliver this initiative at tsnsw.ece.workforce.development@det.nsw.edu.au.
Support for people studying ECEC qualifications
In addition to support from the NSW Department of Education's scholarship programs, the Australian Government offers several initiatives to assist/for aspiring early childhood teachers and educators, including:
- Commonwealth teaching scholarshipsExternal link
- Commonwealth prac paymentExternal link
- Paid practicum subsidyExternal link
Targeted support for ECEC students are outlined in more detail below.
The Practicum Exchange NetworkExternal link (PEN) is a dedicated website where ECEC educators in training and services can search for and arrange practicum exchange opportunities. The PEN website allows ECEC educators in training and services to:
- submit expressions of interest
- connect with each other
- find other educators or services in their area or further afield who are wanting to undertake a practicum exchange.
Practicum exchanges are open to ECEC educators in training who are studying:
- certificate III
- diploma
- initial teacher education (ITE) course
- post graduate teaching courses.
- ECEC providers and services: Practicum exchange network communication toolkit – services - Department of Education, Australian GovernmentExternal link
- ECEC educators: Practicum exchange network communication toolkit – teachers and educators - Department of Education, Australian GovernmentExternal link
ECEC educators in training may be eligible to apply for a living and travel allowance of $1,543.50 per week, for up to 4 weeks.
Eligibility criteria includes:
- undertaking practicum (as part of an approved qualification) in a regional, remote or very remote location away from home location
- use the Practicum Exchange Network websiteExternal link to arrange their practicum
- work at a Child Care Subsidy (CCS)-approved service
- work full-time, part-time of casual
- have worked more than 40 hours in the last 3 months
- be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid work visa .
Applications for the living and travel allowance must be submitted by the CCS-approved providers on behalf of staff.
For more information, including how to apply, visit the Australian Government Department of Education websiteExternal link.