Accredited courses from leading Australian universities, TAFEs and colleges
Australia offers 20 free early childhood education classes online courses in 2026, ranging from Short Courses to Master's Degree. You can study free early childhood education classes online fully online or on-campus through registered RTOs, TAFEs, and universities. Courses typically take 1 month to 2 years to complete. Graduates may be eligible for state-subsidised training and can progress into roles like Child Care Coordinator or Early Childhood Educator.


Displaying 20 of 20 courses
Free early childhood education classes online are short courses or formal qualifications that focus on educating children from birth to around 5 years, delivered via digital platforms. Many options in Australia align with AQF levels such as Certificate III, Diploma or even postgraduate study. Some are promotional taster courses, while others are government-subsidised units through TAFE or RTOs. These programs build skills in play-based learning, child safety, and family communication. For more detail on pathways, see the Early Childhood Education Industry page.
Most free or low-cost introductory classes run from 1 week to 1 month, while full qualifications listed on StudySelect typically run from 1 month to 2 years. A Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care commonly takes 6–12 months, and a Diploma can take 12–24 months, depending on load. Self-paced online delivery can extend or shorten these timelines.
Yes, many Australian providers allow you to complete early childhood units or full qualifications 100% online, using video lectures, virtual classrooms and digital assessments. Some RTOs, TAFEs and universities offer blended modes, combining online theory with on-campus workshops. Practical placements in early learning centres are usually required for Certificate III, Diploma and degree-level study, even if the theory is delivered online. To compare options, check current Online Courses listings.
Entry-level tasters and micro-courses can be $0 when offered as free trials, community programmes or fee-free TAFE short units. Full qualifications such as Certificate III, Diploma or postgraduate courses generally attract tuition fees but may be reduced through state-subsidised training, fee-free TAFE initiatives, JobTrainer-style programmes or VET Student Loans for eligible learners. Actual costs vary by provider, state, and study mode.
Completing recognised early childhood courses can lead to roles such as Child Care Worker, Child Care Coordinator, Early Childhood Educator and, with higher qualifications, Early Childhood Teacher. Some graduates also work as Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Educators or Kindergarten Assistants. Job outcomes depend on your AQF level, from Certificate III through to Diploma or higher. To explore one pathway, see How to Become Early Childhood Educator.