Frequently asked questions

It’s a postgraduate qualification (AQF Level 8), delivered by Fairmont, that prepares graduates of any discipline to teach and lead in early childhood, from birth to age five. Fairmont is TEQSA registered and the course is TEQSA accredited.

No. The course is designed for graduates of any discipline. Your bachelor’s degree is the main academic entry requirement. English requirements apply, and you’ll need a Working with Children Check and a National Police Check before your first placement. No prior teaching experience is required.

One year, full-time, taught in intensive blocks, one unit at a time.

The course combines in-person sessions, live online teaching and independent learning in your own time. Your course materials, submissions and feedback live in Moodle, our online learning environment. The course includes 60 days of supervised professional experience, and we support you to arrange it.

The course is designed to be completed in one year of full-time study, taught in intensive blocks. If full-time study does not fit your situation, talk to us before you apply.

The course combines in-person sessions, live online teaching and independent learning, with set session times. Timetables are published before each unit begins. Talk to us about how it can fit around your work. The course includes 60 days of supervised placement, and we’ll support you to arrange it.

In-person sessions are at our campus, Level 3, 377 Little Lonsdale Street in central Melbourne. Other teaching is live online, and some learning is independent, in your own time.

Four connected areas: child development from birth to five, play-based pedagogy, inclusive and responsive practice, and leadership and professional practice, with the Early Years Learning Framework in practice throughout. The Course page has the full breakdown.

Yes, supervised professional experience in early childhood settings is part of the course, and we support you to arrange it. You’ll need a Working with Children Check and a National Police Check before your first placement.

Small by design. Fairmont teaches small cohorts, so you get one-to-one mentoring and teaching staff who know you.

No. Fairmont College Australia is a TEQSA registered Australian higher education college. The Graduate Diploma is the one course we run, so everything goes into teaching it well.

A completed bachelor’s degree in any discipline (or equivalent). No prior teaching experience is needed, and recognition of prior learning is considered case by case. All applicants must meet Fairmont’s English language requirements. The standard is IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 (Academic), or an accepted equivalent. Previous study in English does not give an automatic exemption. You can request an exemption. We assess each request against Fairmont’s approved admissions requirements. A Working with Children Check and a National Police Check are required before your first placement.

Apply online through our student portal, starting from the How to Apply page, which lists what you’ll need. If you’d like, send an enquiry first and tick “Please call me back” for a call.

Proof of your bachelor’s degree (testamur and academic transcript), photo identification, evidence that you meet the English requirement (a test result or an exemption request), a Working with Children Check and a National Police Check (or confirmation you will obtain them before placement), and any documents supporting a recognition of prior learning request. Every higher education student in Australia needs a Unique Student Identifier (USI) to graduate. Create or retrieve yours at usi.gov.au and give it to us when you enrol. If you are missing something, contact us and we will advise.

Yes. You can apply while you finish your degree. Tell us when your results are due and we will advise you on timing.

There is no application fee.

We review every application and reply by email. If you want to check progress at any point, email info@fairmont.edu.au or call +61 3 9653 6418.

The next intake begins on Monday 23 November 2026. Applications are open for domestic students. The census date for each unit is confirmed before the unit starts. You will find it on the Key Dates & Fees page.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is considered on a case-by-case basis. Talk to us about your background.

Yes, but before your first placement, not before you apply. The Working with Children Check (WWCC) is Victoria’s screening for child-related work. Apply for it as soon as you accept your offer, because some checks take months. We guide you through the steps. You will also need a National Police Check before your first placement. See Entry Requirements for details.

Yes, a National Police Check, before your first placement, not before you apply. When you apply, a current check or confirmation that you will get one before placement is enough. It has a fee, set by Victoria Police, and you can apply online through Victoria Police. See Entry Requirements for details.

All applicants must meet Fairmont’s English language requirements. The standard is IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 (Academic), or an accepted equivalent. Previous study in English does not give an automatic exemption. You can request an exemption. We assess each request against Fairmont’s approved admissions requirements. Your test result should be no older than two years at the time you apply.

Yes, if your degree is equivalent to an Australian bachelor’s degree. Equivalence is confirmed as part of your application, so if you’re unsure, enquire and we’ll advise.

Tuition is $10,000 for domestic students. There is no application fee. All fees are in Australian dollars (AUD). Full detail on the Fees page.

No. FEE-HELP is not currently available. It is the government’s “study now, pay later” loan for eligible domestic students.

Nothing is due when you apply. After you accept an offer you can pay up front. Census dates set the cut-off for withdrawing from a unit without cost. See Census dates and withdrawing on the Fees page.

The census date is the last day you can withdraw from a unit without paying for it (and the date your enrolment is locked for reporting). The census date for each unit is confirmed before the unit starts. You will find it on the Key Dates & Fees page.

Yes. The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood is an ACECQA approved early childhood teaching qualification (approved 17 August 2026). It is an AQF Level 8 award. Fairmont is TEQSA registered and the course is TEQSA accredited. The Recognition & Accreditation page has the full detail.

No. Fairmont is not registered on CRICOS, so we can’t enrol students who need a student visa. See the International Students page.

Academic guidance, wellbeing support, and help getting set up in Moodle. See the Student Support page.

The course prepares you for a career as an early childhood teacher (birth to five), subject to applicable registration and employment requirements. With experience, it can lead to room and centre leadership, and to curriculum and pedagogy roles. The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood is an ACECQA approved early childhood teaching qualification (approved 17 August 2026). The Recognition & Accreditation page has the detail.

Email info@fairmont.edu.au, call +61 3 9653 6418, or use the enquiry form on the Contact page. We’re happy to talk through your situation.