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CHC30121 has been superseded by CHC30125.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: I’m a mature-aged student. How can Kirana Colleges support someone like me?

Absolutely! At Kirana Colleges, we understand that returning to study can be a big step, especially when balancing family, work, or other commitments. That’s why our courses are delivered online, giving you the flexibility to study when and where it suits you best. Whether you're most productive in the evenings or early mornings, you can learn at your own pace and in your own time.

Q: Are there any support services to help mature-aged students adjust to studying again?

Yes, we offer a range of support services tailored to your needs. Through our partnership with AccessEAP, you have access to a 24/7 counselling hotline and up to three complimentary counselling sessions (in-person or via Skype).

You’ll also have the support of our dedicated student support team, who are here to help you with course navigation, study advice, and any general enquiries throughout your learning journey.

Q: How many hours should I dedicate to study each week?

If you're studying full-time, we recommend allocating around 15-20 hours per week to coursework and assessments. Setting aside regular time each week will help you stay on track and progress steadily toward your qualification and career goals.

Q: Do I need computer skills to study online?

Yes, you’ll need basic computer skills to get started. This includes being comfortable using email, browsing the internet, and navigating our online learning platform. Don’t worry, our team is here to help if you need support getting set up.

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

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