Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) (Accelerated)
Course information for - 2026 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- Domestic
Offered at 1 locations
- Brisbane
- Brisbane
- Duration
-
18 months
- ATAR
- New
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not available
This course is taught in multi-mode with online classes and on-site symposiums delivered in Brisbane or Townsville.
For applicants wishing to attend the symposium in Townsville, please note your home campus will be Brisbane. When applying for this course, please select your preferred symposium location to attend and then select apply.
Should you wish to change the location of your attendance at the symposium or are unable to attend in person, please contact your course coordinator as alternative arrangements can be made.
Domestic students enrolled in this course may be eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Payment. Read more about the payment and browse the eligibility criteria.
Overview
Make a difference to the lives of young children through a degree in early childhood education.
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) (Accelerated) is designed for students dedicated to a career teaching in prior to school settings.
Early childhood teachers help lay critical learning and development foundations for young children, teaching them the building blocks of numeracy, literacy, music, art and literature. Graduates of this course will have a strong grounding in early childhood curriculum and pedagogy and will have the confidence and practical experience to teach across all year levels from birth to five years.
Developed in response to workforce needs in the early childhood sector, the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) (Accelerated) program offers Diploma trained educators working in paid employment in early childhood settings, the opportunity to graduate with a four-year equivalent early childhood teaching qualification in 18 months while continuing to work.
Queensland applicants only
Elevate your career and graduate as an early childhood teacher within 18months. If you're in Queensland, looking to establish a career as an Early Childhood teacher and have a diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, our Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) (Accelerated) is the perfect option to advance your career. Financial support is available to assist with the cost of your studies.
Professional experience
You will be required to complete 80 days – Year 1: 15 days, 15 days; 15 days; Year 2: 15 days, 20 days.
Work placement
Supervised professional experience is at the heart of all our pre-service teacher education courses and the faculty will find appropriate placements to suit the needs of your course. You’ll be placed in relevant prior-to-school settings at different stages of your course to ensure your practical experience evolves alongside your theoretical knowledge base. Our placement program also gives you diverse educational experiences, so you’ll be in a better position to choose your future career path.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for registration as an early childhood teacher in government, independent, Catholic, and other faith-based early learning centres and early childhood education settings.
The course is approved by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, (ACECQA) as an Early Childhood Teacher qualification.
This course will not lead to primary or secondary teacher registration.
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- early childhood education
- kindergarten teaching
- policy development
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) (Accelerated), a student must complete 240 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has successfully completed the requirements set out for the following courses may exit from the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) with that qualification:
- Non-Award Certificate in Educational Studies
- Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation)
- Bachelor of Educational Studies
Graduates of this course are Early Childhood Teachers (ECT). None of these qualifications qualifies a student to teach in a Primary or Secondary school in Australia.
Additional course information
The course includes an articulation pathway for graduates of the AQF level 5, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, providing credit recognition and, for selected cohorts, direct admission into year two of the course
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant:
- must have completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care or an equivalent qualification approved by ACECQA;
- Victoria and New South Wales students must also be currently employed by an eligible early childhood service that delivers (or intends to deliver) a funded kindergarten program.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2026 Admission.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with recent secondary education
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
For current year 12 students
If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.
For non-school leavers
If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements.
ACU has partnerships with TAFE and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.
Applicants with higher education study
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.
If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Overall score of 6.5. An individual score of 6.5 in all tests
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- 58 with a minimum of 58 in all four communicative skills
Test of English as a Foreign Language – Academic (TOEFL)
- Internet based total of 79: minimum 24 in writing and a minimum of 19 in reading and 20 in listening and speaking
ACU English Language Test
- B (65-74%)
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- Overall CAE score: 176. Minimum score of 176 in all tests
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.
Alternatively, you may be able to complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course:
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver?
By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals.
If you’re over 21, you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) , or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course.
Further study
Bachelor Degree graduates may be eligible for entry into further postgraduate coursework degree programs.
Fees
Course costs
*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.
A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:
- Number of units studied per year
- Choice of major or specialisation
- Elective units
The University reviews fees annually.
You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
Staff Profile
Dr Debra Phillips
Campus Course Coordinator (Blacktown, North Sydney)
Dr Debra Phillips is an Education lecturer and campus course coordinator (Blacktown, North Sydney) at Australian Catholic University. Her doctorate awarded in 2020, an autoethnographic analysis of suicidality, provided background for her ongoing work into teachers’ mental health. Dr Phillips’ current research and writing explores how teachers manage and negotiate workload stressors to continue teaching. Dr Phillips comes from a background of school-based teaching practice and a background of post-graduate study in education, gender studies, narrative and theology which has provides an informed position for her lectures in educational psychology, teachers’ mental health and disability education.
Dr Carmel Turner
Campus Course Coordinator (Brisbane)
Dr Carmel Turner is an Education lecturer in literacy and literature at the Australian Catholic University. She is the Campus Course Coordinator (Brisbane) for the Bachelor of Education (primary), Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and primary) and Bachelor of Early Childhood (B-5). Dr Turner's area of research focuses on using picture books in the classroom for literacy development, inspired from over 30 years experience teaching in primary schools.