Issued: 20 January 2022
Childhood Education Training Packages
On 19 July 2021 the training packages for CHC30113 Certificate III in Community Services - Early Childhood Education and Care and CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care were superseded.
The new qualifications are:
- CHC30121 Certificate III in Community Services - Early Childhood Education and Care
- CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Both training package updates include changes to the qualification’s core and elective units which reflect the sector requirements. Neither of the new qualifications are equivalent to the superseded qualifications.
The Diploma qualification now has an entry requirement where the trainee (learner) must hold either the CHC30113 or CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Commissioner’s Information Bulletins and Vocational Training Orders
Commissioner’s Information Bulletin 717, published 24 September 2021, replaced the Vocational Training Orders for the Certificate III and Diploma qualifications for these vocations.
The new Vocational Training Orders (VTOs) are:
- VTO 7817 Community Services - Early Childhood Education and Care Certificate III, which has an 18 months term.
- VTO 7818 Community Services - Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma, which has a 24 months term
As the new qualifications are not equivalent, they will not be attached to the old VTOs, and the old qualifications will not be attached to the new VTOs, as alternate courses of study. Training providers may commence training in either the new or superseded qualification but must meet the requirements of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) relating to the teach out period.
Transition Period (train-out period)
ASQA has published extended transition periods of up to 20 January 2023 for the superseded qualifications. Requests for further consideration of the transition period for a specific learner should be made, in writing, as per the current ASQA guidelines.
Advice for Apprenticeship Network Providers
Where the RTO is delivering the superseded training package a learner must be signed up in the old VTO. Where a learner is commencing in the new training package the learner must be signed up in the new VTO and all entry requirements for the qualification must be met.
CHC50121 - Diploma Community Services - Early Childhood Education and Care
Where a training provider transitions the learner to the new qualification, as per the ASQA requirements, the learner MUST meet the entry requirement of holding either the CHC30113 or CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Where the learner meets the entry requirements and the parties agree to transition to the new qualification a variation form will need to be completed by both the employer and learner to include the new vocation and qualification.
CHC30121 Certificate III in Community Services - Early Childhood Education and Care
Where a training provider transitions the learner to the new qualification a variation form will need to be completed by both the employer and learner to include the new vocation and an extension of term.
Prior to transitioning the learner, the Training Provider should discuss the new training package requirements with the parties to ensure they are aware of the implications of transitioning the learner to the new qualification. Where the learner can successfully complete their formal training prior to the end of the teach-out period the training provider should endeavour to complete delivery of the qualification in line with the training package requirements.
Director, Training Quality and Regulation
For the Commissioner of Vocational Training.