• Home
  • Courses by Subject
      • Accounting
      • Bookkeeping
      • Compliance & Risk
      • Finance
      • Financial Planning
      • MYOB
      • Payroll
      • Xero
      • Animal Care
      • Animal Science
      • Pet Grooming
      • Veterinary Nursing
      • Arts
      • Dance
      • Graphic Design
      • Interior Design
      • Photography
      • Web Design
      • Building & Construction
      • Plumbing
      • Real Estate
      • Business
      • Business Administration
      • Business Development
      • Business Operations
      • Change Management
      • Customer Engagement
      • Entrepreneurship
      • Human Resources
      • Leadership & Management
      • Logistics
      • Management
      • PMBOK
      • PRINCE2
      • Project Management
      • Supply Chain Operations
      • Aged Care
      • Alcohol & Other Drugs
      • Community Services
      • Disability
      • Individual Support
      • Youth Work
      • Child Care
      • Education
      • Education Support
      • Training & Assessment
      • Engineering
      • Manufacturing
      • Conservation & Land Management
      • Health Sciences
      • Horticulture
      • Science
      • Sustainability
      • Beauty Therapy
      • Hairdressing
      • Makeup
      • Nail Technology
      • Allied Health
      • Counselling
      • Dental Assisting
      • Health
      • Health Admin
      • Health Services Assistance
      • Herbal Medicines
      • Life Coaching
      • Massage Therapy
      • Mental Health
      • Natural Therapies
      • Naturopathy
      • Nursing
      • Nutrition
      • Nutritional Medicine
      • Pharmacy
      • Practice Management
      • Psychology
      • Sports & Fitness
      • Celebrancy
      • Culinary Arts
      • Event Management
      • Hospitality
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Agile
      • Cloud Computing
      • Coding
      • Cyber Security
      • Data Science & Analytics
      • IT
      • Microsoft
      • Networking
      • Programming
      • Systems Administration
      • Web Development
      • Government
      • Legal
      • Work Health & Safety
      • Digital Marketing
      • Digital Media
      • Marketing
      • Retail
      • Social Media Marketing
    • Blended
    • In-class
    • Online
    • Virtual
    • ACT
    • New South Wales
    • Northern Territory
    • South Australia
    • Tasmania
    • Victoria
    • Western Australia
    • Queensland
    • Certificate
    • Certificate I
    • Certificate II
    • Certificate III
    • Certificate IV
    • Short
    • Diploma
    • Advanced Diploma
    • Associate Degree
    • Undergraduate Certificate
    • Bachelor
    • Graduate Certificate
    • Graduate Diploma
    • Masters
    • Postgraduate Certificate
    • Postgraduate Diploma
  • Resources
  • Workforce Training
  • Contact us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Affiliates
  • About us
Homepage 
ResourcesCareers in AustraliaEducation in AustraliaHow to StudyStudy in AustraliaTAFE in Australia
  1. Home
  2. Resources
  3. Career Advice
  4. How to Become a Kindergarten Teacher in Australia
Published 17 Apr 2023

How to Become a Kindergarten Teacher in Australia

Avatar photo Michael Yi

Kindergarten teachers really do make a difference. During a crucial time in young children’s growth and development, they act as nurturers and trusted guides.

Browse early childhood courses

What does a kindergarten teacher do?

Before children start school and dive into a significantly more structured time of their lives, they need the opportunity to develop key skills, responses and behaviours. As a kindergarten teacher or early childhood educator, you’ll play an essential role in this development. 

Through play, you will help children to use their imaginations. You’ll support them to grow and guide them through social, cognitive and emotional challenges. By identifying and helping kids through potential setbacks or difficulties, you will be setting them up to be more resilient and well-rounded when they enter their schooling years.


Maria Simpson

Educator, Lindfield Learning Village

According to Maria, kindergarten students are “less fearful of failure and will give everything a go.”

As a teacher, you should “want to foster this characteristic so that they will hold onto this growth mindset and carry it forward in their learning journey.”


Some common daily responsibilities for kindergarten teachers are:


  • Designing lesson plans that include fun, educational activities that engage children socially, cognitively and creatively.
  • Observing and assessing the children and their progress, making note of any difficulties.
  • Continuously communicating with parents/guardians about their child’s progress.
  • Cleaning, tidying and general housekeeping responsibilities.
  • Working within government compliance regulations to ensure quality.

Most importantly, Maria says that kindergarten teachers get to be “very creative with (their) approach to teaching and content that (they) can explore play-based learning approaches”.

Kindergarten teachers vs early childhood educators

Although both roles are responsible for the care, safety and development of younger children, the difference between being a kindergarten teacher and an early childhood educator is important.

Kindergarten teachers must have an undergraduate degree in Education, specialising in early childhood teaching. They work in registered kindergartens and lead the planning and implementation of programs aiming to develop children’s learning and social development. 

Early childhood educators generally have at least a Certificate III qualification that enables them to work with children in care facilities, supporting their social skills and cognitive development. 


Browse early childhood courses

What are the prospects for kindergarten teacher jobs?

Kindergarten teaching is a growing field. It’s projected to be one of the most in-demand professions in Australia by 2024. Job growth within the early childhood education industry specifically is estimated to rise by 16% by 2024.

So pursuing a teaching qualification will most likely lead to a stable and financially viable career.

Plus, if you work in a public school, you’ll have the summer holidays off.


Kindergarten teacher salary

Full-time kindergarten teachers can expect an average salary of:


Level of experience Average pay
Entry-level $64,000
Average (median) $76,323
Experienced $93,259

Currently, kindergarten teachers make up approximately 25.3% of the early childhood education workforce. However, this number is projected to rise due to the growing demand for Bachelor’s degree-qualified early childhood teachers.

A study about Upskilling in Early Childhood Education conducted by the FutureTracks Organisation highlights Australia’s need to raise the quality of early learning centres and programs. To help achieve this, Australia must encourage more Diploma and Certificate holders to upskill into fully qualified teachers.


Victoria’s free kinder initiative

Demand for qualified kindergarten teachers is particularly strong in Victoria due to the free three- and four-year-old kinder initiative. The State Government has made all three- and four-year-old kinder programs free for eligible children through allocating more funding towards early childhood development in the 2020/2021 State Budget.

This has resulted in a rising number of enrolled children — and increased demand for qualified teachers.

What key skills do you need?

If you’re already working in some form of childcare or even a completely unrelated field, there’s a good chance you already have some of the foundational skills needed to become a successful kindergarten teacher.

These skills include:


  • Numeracy and literacy
  • Communication skills
  • Building effective relationships
  • Planning
  • Verbal communication
  • Energy and enthusiasm

As a kindergarten teacher, you will work with hundreds of kids throughout your career. As Maria points out, you will be “managing a range of developmental ages and breadth of abilities and ages in one class”.

As exciting as this can be, it is also why kindergarten teachers need to be so dynamic in their skill set. 

“You will want to motivate the beginners while also stretching students who need extension.”

Skills you will need to develop

To flourish as a kindergarten teacher, you will need these critical skills:


  • Critical thinking
  • Problem-solving
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility

Teamwork is particularly important to Maria, identifying her “team of seven amazing K-2 educators” as the reason they can “enhance the building of our Lindfield Learning Village Learning Characteristics of empathy, self-awareness, creativity, resilience and collaborative skills”.

According to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee, critical skills gaps in the current workforce need to be minimised in the next generation of qualified kindergarten teachers. These include:


  • Using computer applications

  • Communication skills

    Communication is vital to more sensitively and better engage with families and colleagues under particular stressors.

  • Business skills

    Business skills are particularly important for Family Day Care educators who need to understand the liabilities and responsibilities, including risk management, of running a small business.

  • Reflection

    Reflective practice has been particularly singled out in recent years as it has been proven to help teachers better help their students achieve advanced development and learning.


How to become a kindergarten teacher

Whether you want to jump straight into a teaching career as a fully qualified kindergarten teacher or start in early childhood education, there are many pathways to choose from.


  • Complete a Bachelor of Education

    To become a qualified kindergarten teacher in Australia, you must complete a teaching degree, such as a Bachelor of Education or an equivalent. This qualification usually takes 3-4 years of full-time study to complete and will include work placement to ensure you receive some practical training before graduating. Course delivery differs across universities, so check each university’s enrolment requirements and see which study options are available. Explore Bachelor of Education Courses.

  • Become a registered teacher

    Once qualified, you’ll need to register with your registered state authority.

  • VIC – Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
  • SA – Teachers Registration Board of South Australia
  • TAS – Teachers Registration Board of Tasmania
  • ACT – Australian Capital Territory – Teacher Quality Institute
  • NSW – New South Wales – NSW Education Standards Authority
  • NT – Northern Territory – Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory
  • QLD – Queensland – Queensland College of Teachers
  • WA – Western Australia – Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia

Early childhood education pathway

If you’re not sure if you want to commit to the degree straight away, a great first step is moving into early childhood education and care. You have the option to use your Certificate or Diploma as building blocks toward a degree later on.

There are multiple government-funded VET qualifications available, including pathways tailored to special education training.

Two of the most popular Early Childhood Education qualifications are:


Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Completing a Cert. III qualification will enable you to work as a childcare or education assistant within kindergartens, schools and daycares. 


  • No entry requirements other than a Working with Children Check
  • Takes 6-18 months to complete
  • Both full-time and part-time study options are available
  • Hands-on work placement included (approx. 120 hours)
  • Some government funding available for eligible courses and providers
Explore Cert III Courses

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Completing a relevant Diploma qualification will enable you to find work as an education program support leader or officer, early learning centre manager or children’s service manager.


  • No entry requirements other than a Working with Children Check
  • 12-14 months of full-time study
  • Both online and blended study options are available
  • Hands-on work placement included (minimum 240 hours)
  • Some government funding available for eligible courses and providers
Explore Diploma Courses

If you already hold one or more of these qualifications, or if you’ve completed a high school finishing certificate, you are eligible to undertake a Bachelor’s qualification of early childhood learning. 

Taking it further with postgraduate studies

If further study excites you, there are postgraduate study options available such as a Master’s Degree in teaching. A Master of Teaching lets you land more senior teaching jobs such as running your own early childhood learning centre or even working with older kids in primary schools.

If you’re ready to jump into this incredibly fulfilling career path, it’s time to take the next step! You could join people like Maria having a positive impact on young kids.

“Every day is a joy, and kindergarten students just want to learn. Their energy is contagious, and I go home feeling renewed each day.”

Ready to make this dream a reality? Scroll down for a range of nationally recognised education providers at your fingertips.

Avatar photo
Michael Yi
Michael Yi

Michael is a writer in the education industry who is enthusiastic about revealing industry trends and insights to assist professionals and students in advancing their careers.

Navigator Illustration

You've Read All About it... Now Time for Action?

Use the NaviGator to discover a personalised list of courses for you. Commitment free.

Try the Navigator

Latest Articles


Should I Study a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance?

The healthcare sector is experiencing rapid growth in employment opportunities, prompting many peopl...

Avatar photo
Kristen Michaelides
Nov 28, 2023
Read More

Best Allied Health Courses for Every Passion

Suggested course: Certificate IV in Mental Health Suggested course: Diploma of Counselling With so m...

Avatar photo
Kristen Michaelides
Nov 28, 2023
Read More

Most Popular Allied Health Assistant Jobs

Numerous opportunities exist for allied health assistant roles, encompassing a wide spectrum of prof...

Guy Clennett
Nov 27, 2023
Read More

Want to Read More?


How To Become a Freelance Photographer: What You Need to Know

A portrait and personal branding photographer shares her tips for starting a small photography busin...

Avatar photo
Rebecca Fox
Sep 27, 2023
Read More

The 10 Most Stressful Jobs (+ Their Less-Stressful Alternatives)

Feel like your job is stressful? Stress can make you lose sleep and motivation. It might get progres...

Avatar photo
Kristen Michaelides
Jun 17, 2023
Read More

How to Become a Mental Health Support Worker in Australia

Mental health is a critical aspect of our overall well-being. Unfortunately, many people struggle wi...

Avatar photo
Michael Yi
Nov 24, 2023
Read More

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get expert advice, insights, and explainers on tricky topics — designed to help you navigate your learning journey with confidence.

By submitting this enquiry I accept the "Privacy Policy" and "Terms of Use"
  • chevron-left
  • Popular Subjects
  • Study Locations
  • Qualification Type
  • Popular Blogs
  • chevron-right
  • Accounting
  • Allied Health
  • Bookkeeping
  • Business Admin
  • Community Services
  • Counselling
  • Education
  • Fitness
  • Healthcare
  • Mental Health
  • Nutrition
  • View More
  • New South Wales
  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia
  • View More
  • Bachelor
  • Certificate
  • Certificate II
  • Certificate III
  • Certificate IV
  • Diploma
  • Masters
  • Short
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Graduate Diploma
  • Undergraduate Degree
  • View More
  • 5 Low-Stress Jobs: Create Your Perfect Work-Life Balance — No Degree Needed
  • 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Australia Without a Degree: Earn Big Bucks Without Big Debt
  • 12 Best Side Hustles in Australia: Passion Projects & Money Makers (+80 Great Side Hustle Ideas)
  • 12 of the Most Fun Jobs: What Are The Most Enjoyable Careers?
  • 22 Best Jobs That Don't Require Experience: Learn While You Earn
  • TAFE, VET and AQF – Acronyms in Australian Learning
  • Changing Careers Over 50: The Best Decision You’ll Ever Make
  • Government Funded Courses and Subsidised Training
  • Never Too Late: Studying at TAFE as a Mature Age Student
  • Study at TAFE | Guide to TAFE Courses in Australia
  • 35 Profitable (and Fun) Home Business Ideas You Can Start Today
  • The Top Careers Where You Can Earn Over $100K Without a Degree
  • Top 10 High Income Skills of 2023 (Based on Real Data)
  • What is TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and How Can It Benefit You?
  • View More

Newsletter sign up

We'll email you updates on job trends, career advice, study tips, news and more.
Courses
  • All subjects
  • Online courses
About Us
  • About tafecourses.com.au
Contact us
  • Contact
  • Advertise your course
  • Become an affiliate
Resources
  • Our blog
  • Workforce training
Privacy Policy Terms of Use
Tafecourses Facebook Tafecourses Instagram
Australian Aboriginal flag Torres Strait Islander flag
In the spirit of reconciliation, tafecourses.com.au acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Copyright © 2023 Tafecourses.com.au
All Rights Reserved.

Newsletter Sign Up

We’ll email you updates on job trends, career advice, study tips, news and more.

By downloading this template I accept the "Privacy Policy" and "Terms of Use"
Back to Top