ECEC qualifications transition period has been extended

Following ACA's advocacy about the changes to the ECEC qualifications with the the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), Minister Stuart Robert and Minister Alan Tudge, as well as the advocacy from our ACA State Bodies with their State Government counterparts, we are extremely pleased that ASQA has recently extended the transition period.

On 13 August 2021, ASQA agreed to extend the transition period of the qualifications until 20 January 2023, for the following qualifications:

• CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• CHC50213 Diploma of School Aged Education and Care
• CHC30213 Certificate III in Education Support
• CHC40213 Certificate IV in Education Support

This is an extension of six months to the original transition period end date of 19^th July, 2022.

This extension is granted to all registered training organisations (RTOs) delivering the qualifications.  ASQA has published this decision on its website and has notified all affected RTOs. The qualifications will remain on the relevant RTOs’ scope of registration until the end of the extended transition period, unless withdrawn from scope prior.

If you have questions regarding this decision, please contact transitionrequest@asqa.gov.au.
 
What does this mean for educators currently undertaking training?
As funded course implementation will still take many months, it’s imperative to take advantage of the extended transition period and have any staff wanting to upskill from Certificate III to Diploma commence their work based training course as soon as possible so they’ll complete their studies by the new deadline.

Those students who are already enrolled should get in touch with their RTO to find out what it means for them.
 
What about course funding?
Independently of this, the State Government Departments of Education will need to urgently prepare the purchasing guide for the new courses which will determine the amount of funding available for their delivery, as there are a number of additional steps to be completed before funding is formally made available for these courses.
 
ACA's State Bodies continue to engage with their State Government stakeholders to ensure that funding for the new courses is established as soon as possible, so that our sector can move into new course commencements in January 2022 and avoid an otherwise possible gap in student enrolments.