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Home / Community / Educator Discussions / Workplace & Employment

working towards diploma when studying ECT

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Started by SJayDee Community Contributor · Tue, 10 Jan 2023 · 11:24 PM · 9 replies · 11,991 views

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SJayDee avatar
SJayDee Community Contributor Original Post ⏱ Tue, 10 Jan 2023 · 11:24 PM ·💬 12 posts
Hey everyone, s

So I'm a little confused as to if I can currently count as a working towards diploma educator. It says on ACECQA that if you have a CERT III and then have completed 11 specific CERT III units you can count as working towards diploma? Am i missing something or wouldn't this just make anyone with a cert III able to count as WT diploma? I thought you would have to be enrolled in the diploma or am I just missing that haha Please help Im so confused.

So I have a CERT III (2011) and I have all those 11 units they list on ACECQA and am currently doing my ECT through Swinburne online. I've completed 7 units and come march it will be 9 units complete. I've been waiting so I can have 30% done so I can count as a diploma but going by what I understand I think I can already count as one.

My work really has a shortage right now of diplomas so can I count as one? Or as a working towards? And if I can what would be the pay level for this? I'm currently on 3.3.

Thank you, sorry if that was confusing
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Lorina avatar
Lorina ⏱ Wed, 11 Jan 2023 · 9:24 PM ·Founder ·💬 14,530 posts
Hi!

To be counted towards the Diploma you will need to be studying the Diploma qualification as well as have completed the cert 3 units mentioned.

Since you have already completed the cert 3 units, once you complete 30% of your ECT course then yes, you can be counted towards the Diploma.

In regards to pay, it depends on your position. If you are a room leader then you will be on Level 4.A.1.

:geek:,
Lorina
SJayDee avatar
SJayDee Community Contributor ⏱ Wed, 11 Jan 2023 · 9:54 PM ·💬 12 posts
Thank you so much.

I see what I was missing now - that you need to be enrolled in the diploma
SJayDee avatar
SJayDee Community Contributor ⏱ Wed, 11 Jan 2023 · 10:01 PM ·💬 12 posts
So when I’ve done 30% of my ECT I can count as a diploma so that would be 9.6 units (it’s 32 I think)
Lorina avatar
Lorina ⏱ Tue, 31 Jan 2023 · 11:10 AM ·Founder ·💬 14,530 posts
Yes! Once you complete 30% you can be counted as a Diploma.

:geek:,
Lorina
K
Kalie ⏱ Thu, 2 Feb 2023 · 4:37 PM ·💬 2 posts
Hi Lorina,

I have Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and working towards a master's of teaching (primary). If I work in a center while studying for my master's degree, what job classification would I be under?"

Thank you.
J
jimbomo ⏱ Wed, 19 Apr 2023 · 10:01 AM ·💬 5 posts
Yes, it sounds like you can currently count as a working towards diploma educator. As long as you have a Cert III and the 11 specific cert III units listed on ACECQA, you can qualify as a working towards diploma educator at the appropriate pay level. The pay level for this would be 3.3, which is what you're currently being paid. However, since you will be completing the ECT diploma through Swinburne Online, you may eventually be able to qualify as a fully qualified diploma educator at the higher pay level.
A
Anewuserrrr ⏱ Sun, 28 May 2023 · 1:47 AM ·💬 1 posts
Hello, if I currently hold my cert 3 in early childhood and im currently studying full time (diploma) and already almost 50% through the course am I entitled to be getting diploma wages?
Lorina avatar
Lorina ⏱ Tue, 30 May 2023 · 4:16 AM ·Founder ·💬 14,530 posts
Anewuserrrr wrote: #50372 Hello, if I currently hold my cert 3 in early childhood and im currently studying full time (diploma) and already almost 50% through the course am I entitled to be getting diploma wages?
No, you will only get Diploma wages once you have completed the Diploma course.

:geek:,
Lorina
katebrownell86 avatar
katebrownell86 Community Contributor ⏱ Fri, 2 May 2025 · 1:36 PM ·💬 37 posts
To clarify, to be considered "working towards a Diploma," you do typically need to be enrolled in the Diploma course. Having the 11 specific Cert III units is great and a necessary part of the process, but the key is that you’re actively working towards completing the Diploma. If you're enrolled and making progress, you should be able to count as "working towards a Diploma," even though you're not yet fully qualified. Since you're already well into your ECT studies and close to completing, you might be able to discuss your situation with your employer to see if they can adjust your pay level based on your progress. As for pay, if you're working towards the Diploma, you could expect to move up to a higher level, but it would depend on your employer’s policies and any relevant awards. It’s worth asking them directly, given the shortage of diplomas!
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