Compare Cert 3 Early Childhood Training Providers in Queensland
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Cert 3 early childhood in Queensland comes with three local details worth knowing before you choose a course: the blue card that Queensland requires for people who work with children, the state regulator, and the Fee-Free TAFE programme. This page sets out what the Queensland Government says about each one, with links to the official pages. It also shows how to use the comparison table if you live in Queensland.
| Training provider | Work PlacementWhether the provider helps you arrange the practical placement that the qualification requires. | Industry ChecksWhether the cost of required industry checks is included in the provider's fee. | Role Play PartnerWhether the provider helps you find someone to practise assessment role plays with. | Teacher AccessHow much one-to-one time you can book with a teacher. | Fast TrackWhether a fast track option is available. | CostThe provider's published full course fee, excluding optional extras. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirana Colleges Availability in this state: check with provider | The provider helps students find a work placement. Source checked: 1 November 2026 | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | The provider helps students find a role play partner. Source checked: 1 November 2026 | The provider states that students can book unlimited one-to-one sessions with a teacher. Source checked: 1 November 2026 | The provider offers a fast track option. Source checked: 1 November 2026 | The provider advertises this weekly price. Check the provider for the full course fee. Source checked: 1 November 2026 |
| NCVE The national regulator (ASQA) has imposed conditions on this RTO's registration. Details Availability in this state: check with provider | The provider helps students find a work placement. Source checked: 1 November 2026 | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | The provider publishes $2,570 as the total when paid in instalments. It also lists $2,056 if paid up front. Source checked: 1 November 2026 |
| ITAC Availability in this state: check with provider | The provider helps students find a work placement. Source checked: 1 November 2026 | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | The full course fee as published by the provider. Optional extras are not included. Source checked: 1 November 2026 |
| ACTAC Availability in this state: check with provider | The provider expects students to find their own work placement. Source checked: 1 November 2026 | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | The provider publishes $2,100 as the total course fee on its weekly payment plan. It also lists $1,199 as a one-time payment. Source checked: 1 November 2026 |
| ACCSC Availability in this state: check with provider | The provider says learners organise their own placement. An optional paid Work Placement Support service is offered. Source checked: 1 November 2026 | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | The provider publishes $2,100 as the total course fee on its weekly payment plan. It also lists $1,199 as an upfront price. Source checked: 1 November 2026 |
| Monarch Institute Availability in this state: check with provider | The provider's Placement Matching Service finds an approved placement for an administrative fee of $250. Source checked: 1 November 2026 | The provider states that industry checks are an additional cost. Source checked: 1 November 2026 | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | The full course fee as published by the provider. Optional extras are not included. Source checked: 1 November 2026 |
| The Performance College Availability in this state: check with provider | The provider helps students find a work placement. Source checked: 1 November 2026 | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | The provider publishes $2,500 as the course fee. It lists a separate $250 enrolment fee. Source checked: 1 November 2026 |
| CQUniversity Availability in this state: check with provider | The provider says students are required to find placement; staff can assist where needed. Source checked: 1 November 2026 | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm the full course fee from the provider's public information. |
| AIPC | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | We could not confirm this from the provider's public information. | The provider states that the total upfront course cost is $2,630, which includes tuition of $2,490 plus practical sessions of $140 each. Source checked: 1 November 2026 |
Key
- Offered or included
- Not offered, or not included
- Extra cost
- Some access
- Unknown
A note under a training provider's name means the regulator has imposed conditions on that RTO's registration. Follow the link for details.
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Information last reviewed:
Compare Cert 3 early childhood training providers in Queensland
The table lists the training providers we have researched for the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125). For most of them we could not confirm from public information which states they serve, so the same list appears on every state and territory page. CQUniversity is one of the training providers in the table. Its course page states a duration of 50 weeks full-time or 84 weeks part-time, and our duration guide sets that beside the durations that other training providers publish.
If you want to study from home, read our page on online study options. It explains the formats and the parts of the course that still take place in person.
The Queensland regulator
In Queensland the Department of Education acts as the regulator. The department states that, as the Queensland Early Childhood Regulatory Authority, it is responsible for regulating early childhood education and care services. The qualification requires a minimum of 160 hours of work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia, so the services that regulator oversees are the kind of services where you will complete your placement. The regulation page on the Queensland early childhood website has the detail.
The blue card in Queensland
Queensland uses a check called the blue card. The Queensland Government states plainly that you must have a blue card to work with children in Queensland, and that a card issued by Blue Card Services is the only check it recognises. Its page for young people states that a 16-year-old doing a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care that includes a placement needs a blue card.
Read the official qualifications page for the current rules. Ask your training provider when it expects your blue card to be in place, since the check is linked to your work placement.
Fee-Free TAFE and Cert 3 early childhood
The Queensland Government describes Fee-Free TAFE as a programme that has been extended until 31 December 2026. It states that the programme is available at TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity. The eligibility rules include permanently living in Queensland, being aged 15 or older and no longer being in school.
The same page names an exception that matters for this qualification. It says that people who completed the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care under Fee-Free TAFE may be able to access the Diploma only. Because the programme has a stated end date and eligibility rules, please read the official Fee-Free TAFE page and confirm the position with the institution before you plan around it. Our free and subsidised study guide sets the Queensland programme beside those of the other states and territories.
Questions to ask before you enrol
- Do you take students in Queensland, and is the fee shown the one that applies to me?
- Is a Fee-Free TAFE place available now, and do I meet the eligibility rules?
- Who arranges the 160-hour work placement, and does that cost extra?
- When must my blue card be in place?
- Is first aid included in the fee?
Nearby jurisdictions and related pages
If you live close to the border, you might also read about New South Wales or the Northern Territory. To see every training provider and every column together, return to the full comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cert 3 early childhood free in Queensland?
The Queensland Government Fee-Free TAFE page describes a programme that it says is extended until 31 December 2026, available at TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity. Eligibility rules apply, and the page names an exception for people who have already completed this qualification under the programme. Check the official page for the current position.
Do you need a blue card to study Cert 3 early childhood in Queensland?
The Queensland Government states that you must have a blue card to work with children in Queensland. It also states that a 16-year-old doing a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care that includes a work placement needs one. Blue Card Services issues the card.
Who regulates early childhood services in Queensland?
The Queensland Department of Education states that, as the Queensland Early Childhood Regulatory Authority, it is responsible for regulating early childhood education and care services.
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