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Approval of Early Childhood Education Programs

An organisation with early childhood education programs not listed on ACECQA's list of approved early childhood education and care qualifications can apply to ACECQA to have its programs added to the approved list.

When is an application required?

Higher education providers and organisations need to apply to ACECQA if:

  • they want their course or program added to an approved list of qualifications, or
  • they are making significant changes to the structure or content of a course that is already on the approved list.

Higher education providers do not need to apply to ACECQA merely because an approved program is being reviewed by the relevant teacher regulatory authority. 

Applying for an assessment

The guidelines for approving early childhood education and care qualifications explain the application process and the criteria that ACECQA will consider when deciding to approve the program.

Applicants should read these guidelines together with the application form, available as DOCX or PDF,  for more details about the process and the supporting documents that will be needed.

Applicants are encouraged to alert ACECQA to their intention to make an application preferably three months before their formal application.  Applicants can complete the Qualification Approval Notification Form, available as DOCX or PDF. This will allow us to contact you to see if we are able to help with your application.

To make an application to ACECQA, you must:

  • complete the application form
  • attach the necessary documentary evidence, and
  • pay the AUD$2,200.00 (incl. GST) fee.

Completed applications can be sent to ACECQA

By email: apply@acecqa.gov.au

By post:

 Qualifications Assessment Team

ACECQA

PO BOX A292

 Sydney NSW 1235

Assessment process

ACECQA will acknowledge receipt of the application and confirm payment within five working days.

ACECQA is committed to processing applications within 60 days from the date of acknowledging receipt. If ACECQA needs to request additional information or documents, then the application process will be delayed.

We ask that applicants limit enquiries about progress of assessments, as this takes time away from completing assessments.

After an assessment

Once an outcome has been determined, ACECQA will notify the organisation of the outcome by email. If the application is approved the qualification will be added to the list of approved qualifications on the ACECQA website within five working days.

If the application is assessed as not meeting the criteria, the organisation will receive a letter outlining the reasons for the decision.