CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (2026 Update)

ECEC Qualification Updates 2026: What the Change to CHC30125 Means for You

PUBLISHED24 April 2026

WRITTEN BYAllison Roos

The early childhood education and care sector has switched from CHC30121 to CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. If you’re enrolling now, you’ll study the updated qualification.

CHC30121 has been superseded by CHC30125. If you’re currently enrolled in CHC30121, you may be able to complete it during the transition period.

CHC30125 gives new educators current skills aligned with the National Quality Framework (NQF) and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

Why the certificate III was updated

Training packages are reviewed to match what regulated services need today. The move to CHC30125 focuses more on child safety, reporting, and documentation.

The main goals are to:

Improve how educators recognise and report children at risk
Align training with the latest safety and documentation standards
Ensure students are ready for the high-paced environment of modern regulated services

Key change: a new core unit

One of the most significant updates is a change to a core unit. In the previous version (CHC30121), students completed a unit focused on identifying and responding to risk. In the new CHC30125, this has been replaced with: CHCPRT025: Identify and report children and young people at risk

This unit focuses on reporting processes and the documentation used in Australian early childhood settings. It helps you graduate with a clear understanding of your legal and ethical reporting obligations from day one.

Understanding the entry requirements

One of the best things about the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is that it remains highly accessible for school leavers and mature-age students alike.

To enrol in this qualification, you generally need:

To meet minimum age and enrolment requirements (these can vary by state or territory).
Students under 18 may need a parent or guardian to sign enrolment forms.
To complete a Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) assessment to ensure our teachers can support your study needs.
To be physically and emotionally healthy enough to meet duty of care obligations during your 160 hours of work placement.

Additional requirements for placement: While there are no formal “prerequisite” courses to start, you will need to obtain the following before you can begin your practical hours in a centre:

A valid Working with Children Check (WWCC).
A clear National Police Check (in most cases).
Evidence of required vaccinations as per the service provider’s policy.

What stays the same?

While the code has changed, the overall course outcome is similar. You are still working toward a nationally recognised qualification that can support roles such as:

Early Childhood Educator
Family Day Care Educator
Nanny or In-home Caregiver
Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Assistant

The course still requires a total of 17 units (15 core and 2 electives) and includes a minimum of 160 hours of supervised work placement in a regulated service.

Ready to start your journey?

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to jump into early childhood education, the new qualification structure makes it the perfect moment to start fresh with the latest industry standards.

Explore our early childhood education courses:

If you’d like help understanding your eligibility or how these changes impact your study plan, our Course and Career Advisors are here to guide you every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What support does Kirana Colleges offer students while they study?

Kirana Colleges offers a range of support services to help students feel confident throughout their learning journey. Through AccessEAP, students can access a 24/7 counselling hotline and up to three complimentary counselling sessions. You’ll also have support from the student support team for help with course navigation, study advice, and general questions.

Q: How many hours a week should I expect to study online?

If you’re studying full-time, a good guide is around 15-20 hours per week for coursework and assessments. Setting aside regular study time each week can help you stay on track and make steady progress towards your qualification.

Q: I’m a mature-aged student. Can I study with Kirana Colleges?

Absolutely. Kirana Colleges supports mature-aged students with flexible online study options that make it easier to balance learning with work, family, and other commitments. You can study at times that suit your schedule and progress at a pace that works for you.

Q: Do I need basic computer skills to study online?

Yes. You’ll need basic computer skills to study online, such as using email, browsing the internet, and navigating an online learning platform. If you need help getting started, the Kirana Colleges team can support you with setup and general guidance.

Speak to one of our Course and Career’s Advisors
if you have any further questions!

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