Early childhood qualification assessment
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'Early childhood' qualifications relate to the delivery of education and care to children preschool age and under. There are three types of early childhood qualifications:
- Early childhood teaching qualifications
- Diploma level qualifications
- Certificate III level qualifications
If your early childhood qualification is not listed on the NQF approved qualifications list you can apply to ACECQA to have it assessed for equivalence.
This application is not for the purpose of, or related to, any migration or visa application process within Australia. If you require a Skills Assessment for migration purposes please see the Skilled Migration section of our website.
| At the end of June 2024, the ACECQA Board updated the requirements for English language proficiency for Individual Qualification Assessment Applications under the National Quality Framework. For more information please read the Guidelines for determination of equivalent early childhood qualifications or see our English language proficiency information sheet. |
How to apply for assessment
Step 1
Read the Guidelines for determination of equivalent early childhood qualifications
ACECQA assesses applications against the Guidelines for the determination of equivalent early childhood qualifications. Applicants must read these requirements before submitting their application.
After reading the guidelines, if you are concerned that you may not satisfy these requirements, you can seek general advice about the application process and assessment requirements before lodging your application.
If your supervised professional experience days were impacted by COVID-19, please refer to the additional evidence you may need to submit with your application.
Step 2
Prepare the required supporting documentation for your application.
You will be asked to provide the following documents:
- A certified colour copy of your passport (identity page only) or Australian Drivers Licence
- A certified colour copy of your evidence of change of name (if applicable)
- A certified colour copy of your official certificate/parchment for your qualification/s
- A certified colour copy of your official academic transcript for your qualification/s (this must include all years of study)
- Applicant Declaration and Consent Form
- Authorised Representative Declaration and Consent Form (if applicable)
- Evidence of English language proficiency
- Evidence of teacher registration (if applicable)
- Evidence of modifications to your supervised professional experience due to COVID-19 (if applicable).
Any documents in a language other than English will need to be translated. Certified colour copies of both the original and translated documents will need to be provided. For further information on how to certify your documents please refer to the certifying documents information sheet.
Step 3
Begin online application and payment
This application will take about 40 minutes to complete. During the application, you will be asked to provide supporting documents. All files submitted of scanned documents must be at a high resolution and appropriately titled. Please upload your documents using links provided in the online application. We are unable to assess your application until all the required information and documentation have been provided.
At the end of the application, you will be asked to pay the application fee.
What happens to my application?
ACECQA will email you within 10 working days once your application has been received.
We will use the information you provided in this application to make an assessment of your qualification(s) for equivalence under section 169(7) of the Education and Care Services National Law.
We are committed to completing your assessment within 60 days from receiving all the information we require. If your application is missing information or documents, then the application process will be delayed.
Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence. ACECQA undertakes routine checks to verify the information provided in your application and conducts thorough checking of submitted documents. We will notify the relevant Australian Government Department and law enforcement agency where we have reason to believe that false or misleading information is provided.
Your Personal Information will be used and stored in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles which are set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our privacy policy.
How do I receive my outcome?
Once your application has been assessed we will notify you of the outcome of your application by email.
If successful, you will receive a certificate by mail and will be able to work as a qualified educator in an approved education and care service in Australia. However this does not guarantee teacher registration or a job in Australia.
If unsuccessful, you will receive reasons for the decision. If you have additional evidence or believe that evidence provided with your application has not adequately been considered you can request a review.
Complaints about the fairness of the application process can be made in writing to ACECQA. If ACECQA is unable to resolve a complaint, then you can contact the National Education and Care Services FOI and Privacy Commissioners and Ombudsman. More information is available on the website necsopic.edu.au.