What This Course Is All About
This qualification prepares students to:
- Design and implement programs for school-aged children (5–12 years)
- Lead and manage OSHC services
- Support children’s wellbeing, development and learning
- Apply the My Time, Our Place framework
- Ensure compliance with the National Quality Framework (NQF)
- Supervise and mentor educators
- Manage risk, safety, and service operations
- Engage with families and communities
- Leadership and management responsibilities
- Service coordination
- Compliance and regulatory knowledge
- Program planning and evaluation
What Jobs Can Graduates Apply For?
Graduates of CHC50225 can apply for leadership and senior roles such as:
- OSHC Coordinator
- OSHC Director
- School Age Care Service Manager
- Educational Leader (School Age Care)
- Assistant Director – OSHC
- Program Coordinator
- Vacation Care Coordinator
Employment settings include:
- Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) services
- Before and After School Care programs
- Vacation care programs
- Community-based school age services
- Private and government-managed care services
This qualification meets the educator and leadership requirements under Australian childcare regulations for school age services.
Salary Expectations in Australia
Salary varies depending on state awards, service size, and experience level.
Typical Salary Range (Australia)
| Role | Approx. Annual Salary (AUD) |
| Diploma Qualified Educator | $75,000 – $90,000 |
| OSHC Coordinator | $85,000 – $105,000 |
| OSHC Director | $95,000 – $120,000 |
| Service Manager | $100,000 – $130,000+ |
Salaries may increase based on:
- Centre size
- Leadership responsibility
- Government vs private provider
- Years of experience
Some roles operate during school terms, offering structured hours and work-life balance.
Units & Course Structure
To achieve CHC50225 Diploma of School Age Education and Care, students must complete:
23 Units of Competency
- 15 Core Units
- 8 Elective Units
- Designing and implementing programs for school age children
- Leading and managing teams
- Ensuring health, safety and wellbeing
- Managing legal and ethical compliance
- Supporting inclusive practices
- Facilitating community partnerships
- Coordinating service operations
- Advanced leadership
- Behaviour guidance strategies
- Supporting children with additional needs
- Managing service quality improvement
Study duration typically ranges from 12–18 months, depending on delivery mode and experience.
Benefits of Completing This Qualification
- Nationally recognised qualification
- Leadership pathway in OSHC sector
- Higher salary potential than Certificate III
- Eligibility for Coordinator and Director roles
- Government-regulated and funded sector
- Strong demand across Australia
- Pathway to further study (Bachelor of Education, Teaching degrees)
- Work-life balance aligned with school terms
This qualification positions graduates as leaders within school age education and care services.
Why This Course Matters – A Future-Proof Career
School age education and care is a stable and essential sector in Australia.
Pandemic-Resilient & Essential Service
During COVID-19:
- School age care services adapted to changing school schedules
- Essential worker families relied on care services
- Government support packages assisted childcare providers
Even during disruptions, education and care services remained critical.
Climate & Economic Crisis Resistant
Regardless of economic conditions:
- Working families require before and after school care
- Government childcare subsidies continue
- School-based care remains essential for workforce participation
Government funding and regulatory support provide industry stability.
AI-Resistant Profession
School age education requires:
- Supervision and duty of care
- Behaviour guidance
- Emotional support
- Relationship building
- Real-time safety monitoring
AI cannot:
- Supervise children safely
- Build trust with families
- Provide social and emotional support
- Respond to behavioural challenges in real time
This profession is built on human interaction, leadership, and care — making it highly resistant to automation.
Strong & Growing Industry
- Increasing workforce participation among parents
- Growing demand for OSHC services
- Government support for childcare subsidies
- Expansion of vacation care programs
This creates:
- Long-term employment demand
- Career progression opportunities
- Leadership pathways
Is This Good for Business Owners?
Yes — highly applicable. This qualification is particularly valuable for business owners who:
- Want to open or operate an OSHC service
- Plan to become a Service Director
- Want to manage before and after school care programs
- Need to meet regulatory leadership requirements
- Want to expand into vacation care programs
Benefits for business owners:
- Meets regulatory qualification requirements
- Strengthens compliance knowledge
- Builds leadership and operational skills
- Increases credibility with families and regulators
- Supports service expansion and growth
For aspiring OSHC business owners, this qualification is often essential for approval and compliance.
Final Summary
CHC50225 Diploma of School Age Education and Care offers:
- Nationally recognised qualification
- 23 units (15 core + 8 electives)
- Mandatory practical placement
- Salary potential of $75,000–$130,000+
- Leadership and Director pathways
- Government-supported sector
- Pandemic-resilient industry
- AI-resistant human-centred profession
- Strong suitability for business owners
- Clear pathway to teaching and higher education
This qualification is ideal for individuals who want leadership roles, stable income, long-term security, and the opportunity to manage and grow school age education services in Australia
How many units do I need to complete and what is the core versus elective breakdown?
The qualification has 23 units in total: 15 core units and 8 elective units.
Is there a compulsory work placement and how many hours are required?
Yes, you must complete a minimum of 280 hours’ work placement in a regulated school-age education and care service.
Are there entry prerequisites like prior qualifications or experience?
Entry requirements vary by provider, but you’ll typically need good language, literacy and numeracy skills; prior experience in school-age care or a Certificate III may expedite the process.
What study modes are available and how flexible is the timing?
At Get My Course, we offer blended course delivery, where you can study at your own pace within a timeframe (sometimes up to 24 months).
Is this qualification nationally recognised across Australia?
Yes – CHC50225 is a nationally recognised qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework, valid in all states and territories.
What special skills will I gain beyond everyday childcare tasks?
You’ll learn to plan and implement programs, manage legal and ethical compliance, lead teams, promote cultural safety, and support children’s holistic well-being and learning.
What pathways are open to me after completing this diploma?
You could progress to higher education (for example a bachelor’s in education or child youth & family studies), move into leadership within school-age services, or specialise further in the sector.
Can my prior work experience or other qualifications reduce my study load?
Yes, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer if you already have relevant experience or completed units in related qualifications.
What should I check regarding funding or scholarships for this course?
It’s smart to check with Get My Course whether subsidised places, government funding or traineeship options apply in your state, eligibility may depend on your age, employment status or sector.
The RPL Process for Diploma in School Age Education
- Eligibility Check
- Submission of requirements for the enrolment
- Once everything is reviewed and approved, you will receive a Welcome Email from the Admin with instructions
- You will then be endorsed to one of our licensed trainers or Trainer assistant.
- The trainer offering the diploma of Community Service in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane will get in touch with you to talk about your experience in the industry and guide you on how to start collecting evidence and will touch base with you and give you feedback until you finish the course
- Certificate will be issued Within 12 weeks of receiving sufficient and complying evidence of competency in all applied for units of competency.
