Early childhood education and care is one of the most regulated, in-demand workforce sectors in NSW. Long day care, family day care, OOSH and kindergarten services are required to staff against strict educator-to-child ratios — and qualified educators are in short supply.
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the qualification that opens the door. It is the minimum requirement for paid educator roles, and the entry point for the Diploma pathway into room leader and service management positions.
The training is subsidised by the NSW Government for eligible students. Smart & Skilled student-contribution fees apply based on eligibility — some students pay $0, others a small co-contribution. Fee-for-service options are available if not eligible.
WAYS Youth Training has been working with young people across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs since 1979. RTO 90114 — Tiffany Plaza, 422 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022.
Prefer to talk? Call (02) 9365 2500 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.
Your future, your way.
26 weeks · 17 units · 160 hours mandatory work placement. Delivered as a 7-month integrated journey (training + placement + Wellbeing & Work Readiness program). The nationally recognised entry qualification for paid educator roles in long day care, family day care, OOSH and kindergarten services. Smart & Skilled subsidised for eligible NSW residents. Placement supported through our network of services — including the OOSH partner network. View Cert III details →
Everything you need to know in one scan. The detail behind every line is on the Cert III page.
Cert III is the entry qualification — no prior experience required. Twenty-six weeks of training and you’re working in a long day care centre, family day care, OOSH or kindergarten with a nationally recognised credential.
Services have twelve months to qualify unqualified staff under the National Quality Framework. Cert III meets the requirement. Recognition of Prior Learning shortens the time for experienced staff.
Years of looking after kids is real experience. RPL captures what you already know. School-friendly study patterns mean you can train around the school run.
We deliver in-house cohorts and tailored programs for services bringing on new staff. Speak to an enrolment advisor about cohort delivery and placement coordination through our OOSH partner network.
Long Day Care Educator — the most common destination. Centre-based educator role working with infants, toddlers or preschool-age children. Programmed days, structured ratios, ongoing professional development.
OOSH / OSHC Educator — before-school, after-school and vacation care roles. Hours often suit study or other commitments. Common entry point for new educators.
Family Day Care Educator — operate as an approved educator from a home-based setting under a family day care scheme. Self-employed model with regulatory support.
Kindergarten Educator — preschool-age focused educator role in community kindergartens and preschools.
Step-up: Diploma of ECEC — the next qualification on the ladder. Unlocks room leader, coordinator and service manager roles. Cert III is the prerequisite.
Sector employer roles — once qualified you can move between services across NSW. Educators with Cert III are in active demand.
Yes. The training package requires 160 hours of work placement in an approved early childhood service. We coordinate placement through our network — including the OOSH partner network.
26 weeks of formal training per the TAS, which we deliver as a 7-month integrated journey alongside our Wellbeing & Work Readiness modules. Part-time delivery is available for working students or parents — speak to an enrolment advisor about the schedule that fits.
Smart & Skilled subsidised places are available for eligible NSW residents — a co-contribution fee may apply. Fee-for-service pricing and payment plans are confirmed on the discovery call.
Yes — a current NSW Working With Children Check is required before placement starts. We’ll walk you through how to apply during enrolment.
Yes. Cert III is the entry-level qualification. No formal prior experience is required. If you do bring relevant experience, Recognition of Prior Learning may shorten your training time.
Step into a paid educator role across long day care, OOSH, family day care or kindergarten. Or continue to the Diploma of ECEC — the next step on the ladder, which unlocks room leader, coordinator and service manager roles.
