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    I'm considering a career change

    Take the leap. Change careers or start a new one as you re-enter the workforce

    If you’re thinking of a new career, returning to the workforce after some time away, or ready for your next challenge - a career in early childhood education might be for you.

    Make a meaningful impact as a highly skilled early childhood educator or teacher, and play a vital role in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children.

    With more job opportunities than ever before, and financial support to help while you study, now is the time to explore a fulfilling and flexible career in early childhood.

    Become an educator

    Educators work directly with children to support their wellbeing, learning and development. To become an early childhood educator, you’ll need a certificate III or diploma in early childhood education and care. Study and complete a diploma, and you could be eligible for up to $7000 of financial support from the Government of South Australia.

    Start your journey to become an educator with a vocational education and training (VET) pathway. Some TAFE SA courses are offered fee-free to eligible students including the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, and the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. Learn more at tafesa.edu.au/fee-free.

    The Government of South Australia also subsidises the certificate III and diploma courses in early childhood education and care at a range of other providers across South Australia. For more information on eligibility visit My Training | Get qualifications to build your career (skills.sa.gov.au).

    If you want to combine work and study, a traineeship might be for you. Traineeships can be undertaken at either the certificate III or diploma levels. For more information visit My Training | Trainees & apprentices (skills.sa.gov.au).

    Become a teacher

    Preschool teachers create inspiring, interesting, and age-appropriate learning and development environments, while driving opportunities that help every child to thrive. To become a teacher you’ll need a university degree.

    Enrol in and complete an undergraduate degree and you could be eligible for up to $25,000 of financial support for bachelors degrees, and up to $17,000 of financial support for a master’s degree.

    In South Australia, Flinders University and UniSA offer the following bachelor degrees in early childhood education:

    *To qualify for financial support, master’s applicants must possess an existing degree, that is not an early career teacher qualification recognised by ACECQA, unless otherwise approved by the Office for Early Childhood Development. Students studying a research master’s are not eligible for this financial support program.

    If you want to study at a university in another state, check your qualification is NQF approved | ACECQA.

    A male educator engaging with a 3-year-old student wearing an animated cape

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    If you want to keep up-to-date on South Australia's early childhood reforms, subscribe to the Office for Early Childhood Development's sector newsletter.