Can You Work in Childcare While Studying CHC30125? The Actively Working Towards Rule Explained
In some centre-based services, yes. ACECQA allows eligible students who are actively working towards an approved qualification to count toward Certificate III qualification requirements.
Can You Work in Childcare While Studying?
In some centre-based services, yes—but “actively working towards” has specific conditions.
You may not need to wait until graduation to start working in a centre-based service
ACECQA recognises an “actively working towards” pathway for approved early-childhood qualifications.
For Certificate III-level requirements in a centre-based service, ACECQA says a person can be counted as actively working towards the qualification when they are:
- enrolled in an ACECQA-approved qualification
- have actually started studying
- are making satisfactory progress toward completion
- continue meeting the requirements to maintain enrolment
This means a CHC30125 student may potentially work as an educator before completing every unit.
It does not mean an RTO or Pathway Select can promise employment. The service still decides whom it hires, the role it offers and whether all regulatory and organisational requirements are satisfied.
It is a regulatory status—not simply a phrase used by employers
The National Regulations use the concept to determine whether certain educators can count toward qualification requirements in centre-based services.
The course needs to be an approved qualification relevant to the regulatory requirement.
Merely receiving an offer or planning to enrol is not the same as having commenced study.
The rule assumes genuine progression rather than indefinite inactive enrolment.
You need to continue meeting your course provider’s requirements for maintaining enrolment.
A childcare service can apply recruitment, induction, experience and suitability requirements beyond the qualification rule.
If you want employment hours to count toward CHC30125 assessment, the RTO must confirm the workplace and assessment arrangement.
Family day care has a stricter rule for new educators
Actively working towards may apply
In a centre-based service, an eligible person actively working toward an approved Certificate III-level qualification may be counted toward qualification requirements.
Examples of centre-based environments can include long day care and other regulated centre-based education and care services.
New educators must already hold the qualification
ACECQA says new family day care educators must hold an approved Certificate III-level or higher qualification before commencing their role.
They cannot rely on the same “actively working towards” provision used in centre-based settings.
A paid childcare job and CHC30125 placement are not automatically the same thing
One of the most useful questions a student can ask is:
“If I get a paid educator job while studying, can those hours also count toward my CHC30125 workplace requirements?”
Sometimes an existing workplace can support qualification assessment. But the answer belongs to the RTO, not the employer alone.
Get the job or employment offer
The employer decides whether your actively-working-towards status, experience and other requirements fit the role.
Tell your RTO about the workplace
Provide the service details, duties, roster and workplace contact information the RTO asks for.
Ask whether the workplace is suitable for assessment
The RTO must determine whether you can demonstrate the required competencies and whether appropriate supervision and assessor access are available.
Get the arrangement confirmed
Do not assume that every paid shift automatically becomes a qualification placement hour.
Working with children involves more than your course enrolment
Victoria has strengthened early-childhood workforce screening and child-safety requirements. Before assuming you can begin work or placement, check the current requirements applying to your role and service.
A current clearance matters
VECRA says people working with children in Victorian early-childhood services generally need a valid WWCC or applicable VIT registration.
This includes staff and students on placement, subject to the specific exemptions and rules applying to the person.
Do not assume an application is enough
VECRA states that pending or in-progress WWCC applications are not acceptable for work in regulated early-childhood services.
CHC30125 now connects directly to child-safety training
The current qualification requires National Child Safety Training before a learner undertakes work-placement hours in a regulated children’s education and care service.
Victoria has an additional 27 August 2026 deadline
Relevant Victorian ECEC staff and students working directly with children must complete the applicable EC PROTECT training by 27 August 2026 and then meet the ongoing requirements described by the Victorian Government.
CHC30125 still requires at least 160 hours in a regulated Australian service
Those hours are not replaced simply because you are legally able to work while studying.
The training provider must make sure the qualification’s workplace and assessment requirements are actually satisfied.
May provide useful workplace experience, but RTO approval is needed before assuming it satisfies qualification requirements.
Usually organised specifically around assessment requirements and supervised practical learning.
May be accepted where duties, supervision, environment and assessment access meet the RTO’s requirements.
Theory can be delivered flexibly by some providers, but the regulated-service workplace requirement cannot be completed entirely from home.
Six statements that need more context
The actively-working-towards rule has conditions, and employers and regulators still have separate requirements.
No. Recruitment decisions remain with the employer.
New family day care educators generally need an approved Certificate III-level or higher qualification before starting.
The RTO must confirm the workplace and assessment arrangement before you rely on employment hours.
In Victoria, VECRA says pending or in-progress applications are not acceptable for work in regulated early-childhood services.
Employment depends on vacancies, suitability, performance, screening, qualification progress and employer requirements.
CHC30125 is currently listed under Free TAFE
The Victorian Skills Gateway currently lists CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care under Skills First and Free TAFE.
That does not establish your personal funding eligibility, guarantee admission or guarantee a particular provider intake.
Provider delivery also varies. The current Skills Gateway listing includes on-campus, flexible and online/off-campus options across different providers.
Whatever the theory delivery mode, the qualification still requires the regulated-service workplace component.
Before applying for childcare jobs while studying, check these eight things
Tap each item after confirming it. Nothing is submitted or stored.
Move from “Can I work?” to a practical course-and-employment plan
Check the current qualification first
Review the current Certificate III structure, placement requirement, funding considerations and provider questions.
Separate placement help from employment
If you are already enrolled and struggling to organise the required practical component, use the dedicated Pathway Select placement route.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work in childcare before finishing CHC30125?
Potentially yes in a centre-based service if you satisfy ACECQA’s actively-working-towards conditions and meet the employer’s and regulator’s other requirements. Employment is not guaranteed.
What does “actively working towards” Certificate III mean?
ACECQA says you need to be enrolled in an approved qualification, have started study, make satisfactory progress and continue meeting the requirements for maintaining enrolment.
Do I need to complete 50% of CHC30125 before I can work?
ACECQA’s current Certificate III-level actively-working-towards rule does not state a 50% completion threshold. Different percentage rules apply in some other qualification contexts, so do not mix them together.
Can I work in family day care while studying Certificate III?
New family day care educators generally need to hold an approved Certificate III-level or higher qualification before commencing and cannot rely on the actively-working-towards provision used for centre-based services.
Does a childcare service have to hire me because I am actively working towards CHC30125?
No. “Actively working towards” is a qualification-status concept. Hiring remains an employer decision.
Can my paid childcare job count toward the 160 placement hours?
It may be possible if your RTO confirms that the workplace, duties, supervision and assessment arrangements satisfy CHC30125 requirements. Do not count the hours yourself without approval.
Do I need a Working with Children Check in Victoria?
People working with children in Victorian early-childhood services generally need a current WWCC or applicable VIT registration, subject to the specific rules and exemptions applying to the person. Confirm your position before starting.
Can I start childcare work while my WWCC application is pending?
VECRA currently states that pending or in-progress applications are not acceptable for work in regulated early-childhood services in Victoria.
What child-safety training do CHC30125 students need?
CHC30125 requires National Child Safety Training before work-placement hours. Victoria also has EC PROTECT requirements for relevant ECEC staff and students, including a 27 August 2026 implementation deadline for the current requirements. Confirm which modules apply to your role.
Is CHC30125 currently Free TAFE in Victoria?
The Victorian Skills Gateway currently lists CHC30125 under Free TAFE. Personal eligibility, provider participation, funded places, fees and admission must still be confirmed.
Can Pathway Select find me a childcare job?
Pathway Select does not guarantee employment. It can help organise your qualification, placement and pathway questions and guide you toward relevant course and provider checks.
Sources and information checked
- ACECQA — Actively working towards a qualification Supported the Certificate III actively-working-towards conditions and the family day care exception. Checked 17 August 2026.
- Training.gov.au — CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care Supported current qualification status, workplace requirement and National Child Safety Training requirement. Checked 17 August 2026.
- ACECQA — NQF approved qualifications list Used to confirm the authoritative national source for approved Certificate III, Diploma and teaching qualifications. Checked 17 August 2026.
- Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority — Working with children requirements Supported Victorian WWCC/VIT requirements, student coverage and the current position on pending applications. Updated 1 June 2026.
- Victorian Government — Child protection and child safety training in early childhood Supported current national child-safety and Victorian EC PROTECT requirements and the 27 August 2026 implementation date. Updated 15 May 2026.
- Victorian Skills Gateway — CHC30125 Supported current Skills First and Free TAFE status, provider variation, WWCC/Police Check guidance and Victorian course options. Checked 17 August 2026.
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