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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
March, July
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Duration
0.5 years full-time; 1 year part-time
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Location
Gold Coast, Online
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Placement
No
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ATAR
Not applicable
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Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.5
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
GradCertECEdLead
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Course code
1008253
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Credit points
48
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Equivalent units
4
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
International snapshot
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Start Date
-
Duration
0.5 years full-time
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Location
-
Placement
No
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ATAR
Not applicable
-
Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
-
Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.5
-
Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
GradCertECEdLead
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Course code
1008253
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Credit points
48
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Equivalent units
4
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Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
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CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
Ready to excel in early childhood education? This Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education Leadership focuses on innovative practices and emerging trends in early childhood education leadership.
The 6-month course (or one-year part-time) will equip current or aspiring leaders with the skills to provide quality early childhood education and care for children and their families. By emphasising leadership and associated pedagogical practices, educators will be provided with advanced knowledge and theory in leadership to navigate the evolving landscape of the early childhood sector- including regulations, financial and strategic planning, human resource management, operational oversight and innovative education practices.
Students will learn positive leadership pedagogies and effective communication strategies to lead their team. Graduates will demonstrate advanced capacity in effective leadership for professional practice including understanding of social Indigenous and cultural diversity in early childhood education contexts.
This course was co-designed in collaboration with the early childhood sector to meet the needs of early childhood education professionals.
Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education Leadership will provide entry to, and one unit of credit towards, the Southern Cross University Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) or Master of Teaching (Early Childhood Education).
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“I feel fortunate to be their teacher. They are at an age when their personalities are really emerging. They have such humour and curiosity. You can have a joke with them, yet at the same time they are serious about wanting to learn. They are respectful too. We respect each other.”
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Critically reflect upon and apply advanced knowledge and theory in leadership to deliver high quality early childhood education and care. |
GA2: Creativity Demonstrate advanced skills to successfully manage business operations by identifying, reviewing and analysing principles and practices in early childhood education and care contexts. Apply professional knowledge, judgement and effective communication strategies to lead and develop teams that deliver positive outcomes for children, families, and colleagues. |
GA3: Ethical practice Critically analyse and ethically apply national laws governing children’s services within contemporary educational, social, and cultural contexts. Apply professional knowledge, judgement and effective communication strategies to lead and develop teams that deliver positive outcomes for children, families, and colleagues. |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Critically reflect upon and apply advanced knowledge and theory in leadership to deliver high quality early childhood education and care. Critically analyse and ethically apply national laws governing children’s services within contemporary educational, social, and cultural contexts. Demonstrate advanced capacity in effective leadership for professional practice including understanding of social Indigenous and cultural diversity in the early childhood education and care context. |
GA5: Lifelong learning Demonstrate advanced skills to successfully manage business operations by identifying, reviewing and analysing principles and practices in early childhood education and care contexts. |
GA6: Communication and social skills Critically reflect upon and apply advanced knowledge and theory in leadership to deliver high quality early childhood education and care. Demonstrate advanced capacity in effective leadership for professional practice including understanding of social Indigenous and cultural diversity in the early childhood education and care context. Demonstrate advanced skills to successfully manage business operations by identifying, reviewing and analysing principles and practices in early childhood education and care contexts. Apply professional knowledge, judgement and effective communication strategies to lead and develop teams that deliver positive outcomes for children, families, and colleagues. |
GA7: Cultural competence Critically analyse and ethically apply national laws governing children’s services within contemporary educational, social, and cultural contexts. Demonstrate advanced capacity in effective leadership for professional practice including understanding of social Indigenous and cultural diversity in the early childhood education and care context. |
Students will study four (4) core units covering early childhood leadership and legal responsibilities; effective communication; strategy, operations and financial management; and governance and workforce leadership.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1 |
| Online | Term 1, Term 3 |
Career Outcomes
Graduates will be well-suited to leadership and operational management roles in early childhood education settings.
This course is also a pathway to further postgraduate study. Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education Leadership will provide entry to, and one unit of credit towards, the Southern Cross University Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) or Master of Teaching (Early Childhood Education).
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must meet the following course specific admission requirements:
- a completed Bachelor degree (AQF 7) or equivalent; or
- a completed Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (AQF5 or above), plus
- a minimum of five years relevant work experience (undertaken within the last seven years) in an Australian early childhood education setting with related leadership responsibilities.
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.5 |
| Listening | minimum 6.0 |
| Speaking | minimum 6.0 |
| Reading | minimum 6.0 |
| Writing | minimum 6.0 |
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education Leadership students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising 4 core units.
Other things to consider
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
Course structure
Why study Education at Southern Cross University
Top 400 worldwide
We're rated in the top 400 universities worldwide in Education
Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025Graduate job-ready
Extensive and meaningful professional experience placements ensure that graduates are profession-ready
Accredited degrees
Accreditation of all our teaching courses provides career opportunities in New South Wales, Queensland and across Australia
Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.
Apply now
Preparing to apply
- Check requirements
- Get supporting documents ready
- Choose where and when from the available options
Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
How can we help?
How can we help?
How can we help?
Credit Transfer
Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.
Go to credit assessorEntry Pathway
We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.
Find a pathway