Pathways to early childhood education: explore the Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program

With demand for qualified early childhood educators and teachers continuing to grow, the Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships (ECTP) program offers a range of flexible tertiary courses with targeted support to help people enter or progress an early childhood education career.

Whether you're finishing school, changing careers, returning to work, or already working in a service, the ECTP program offers accessible pathways tailored to your needs.

Delivered through TAFEs, registered training organisations (RTOs) and universities across Victoria, ECTP courses are supporting more Victorians to take the next step towards a rewarding career in early childhood education.

Participants can:

• ‘Learn and earn’ as in-service trainees while studying
• Access Free TAFE courses in early childhood education at their local TAFE
• Choose a study format and pace that suits them, including online, on-the-job, part-time or full-time
• Access tailored supports, such as mentoring, job-readiness training, and recruitment assistance
• Apply for scholarships of up to $25,000 to support study and transition to work (eligibility criteria apply)
• Access additional learning supports and childcare, where available

Some of the courses also offer dedicated support for students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. These may include in-language assistance, culturally responsive mentoring, and academic or workplace support.

The ECTP program is open to:

• New students from a wide range of backgrounds, including those wishing to change careers
• Current educators seeking to upskill by gaining a higher vocational qualification
• Current educators keen to become early childhood teachers by completing a teaching qualification

The program is already helping aspiring educators build skills, gain qualifications and step into meaningful careers.

Bethany Edwards enrolled as a Diploma trainee through Wodonga Institute of TAFE’s ECTP program, after completing the Certificate III qualification as a school-based trainee.

She says the support provided throughout the program played a huge role in helping her stay enrolled and progress through her Diploma. 

“Throughout this program, I received a lot of support through study groups after work hours, one-on-one support with teachers while they visited my workplace as well as the times when I came to on-campus study groups. All the teachers were really supportive, and one-on-one meetings were able to be adjusted to my work hours when needed.”

Bethany says the program has significantly improved her confidence, skills, and overall outlook on working in the early childhood sector, “It’s made me feel more prepared and capable in my role and has confirmed that this is the career path I want to continue pursuing”.

How to apply

A range of tertiary providers are offering ECTP programs in 2026. Intake windows vary depending on the course and provider.

Providers currently accepting enrolments include:

• Chisholm, VICSEG New Futures, VU TAFE, GOTAFE and Wodonga TAFE with rolling intakes for Certificate III and Diploma courses in early childhood education
• Deakin University is accepting enrolments for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Masters courses with final enrolments closing on 13 March 2026.

Applications for enrolment in courses with ECTP programs are made directly through these providers. 

For the most up-to-date information, including links to individual provider enrolment pages, visit the Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program website.

Working in early childhood education offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on children's lives, helping them learn, grow and thrive during their most formative years. It’s a career that combines purpose, connection and long-term professional growth. 

For more information about other supports for new and existing educators, including scholarships , go to:

Financial support to study and work in early childhood | vic.gov.au