Atkinson Child Care College
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Want to get into childcare but are worried about the cost? 

Don’t be.

There are so many job opportunities out there and in fact, there is a shortage of trained educators around the country. 

It’s why childcare has been identified as a priority industry in need. And the NSW Government is happy to provide fee-free training to eligible people in NSW.

The Childcare courses listed below are now fee-free* for eligible people that want a career in Childcare.

CHC30125 Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care

  • Newcastle & Lake Macquarie
  • Maitland & Hunter Valley region
  • Port Stephens, Central Coast.

CHC50125 Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care

  • Newcastle region
  • Maitland & Hunter Valley region
  • Port Stephens, Central Coast.

* Training under Smart & Skilled programs is funded by the NSW government.

Course fees depend on individual circumstances and can be paid off throughout your course.

To be eligible you must be:

  • Living or working in NSW
  • Over 15 years old and no longer at school
  • An Australian citizen or permanent resident; or 
  • Humanitarian visa holder; or 
  • New Zealand Citizen.
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Note: If you receive any of the following Commonwealth Government Benefits, you may be eligible for further subsidies:

  • Age Pension
  • Austudy
  • Carer Payment (is specific benefit paid by the Commonwealth Government: this does not include Carer Allowance or Carer Adjustment Payment)
  • Exceptional Circumstance Relief Payment
  • Farm Household Allowance
  • Family Tax Benefit Part A (maximum rate)
  • Jobseeker Payment
  • Parenting Payment (Single)
  • Sickness Allowance
  • Special Benefit
  • Veterans' Children Education Scheme
  • Veterans' Affair Pension
  • Widow B Pension
  • Widow Allowance
  • Youth Allowance
  • Wife Pension

Evidence of eligibility will be required to be provided at the time of enrolment.

Find out if you are eligible for funding

Please fill in our quick form and we'll get back to you.

Pre-Enrolment Information for Learners

At Atkinson Childcare College we offer training both for childcare centre-based educators (Employment-based), and for those learners who want to study first and then find a work placement at a childcare centre (Blended).

Interested?

If so, please take the time to read the following information:

1

You fill in the enquiry form in which we need to know:

  • Your name, contact details
  • Where you live location 
  • If you are already working in a Childcare Centre
  • Evidence of any Commonwealth Benefits that you receive
  • If you are enquiring about the CH50125 Diploma, evidence of your Cert III qualification - CHC30113, CHC30121 or CH30125.
2

Pre-Enrolment

  • We send you our participant Handbook and the relevant course information
  • If eligible, we get a quote for Smart and Skilled funding
  • If you do not qualify, we advise you on fees and payment plan options. 
3

At Enrolment we need the following information:

  • Your USI number (see below)
  • Language Literacy & Numeracy assessment
  • Working With Children Check (this can be obtained at commencement of course)
  • Statements of the Commonwealth Benefits you receive
  • If you are enrolling in the Diploma, a copy of your Cert III (either CHC30113 or CHC30121) certificate and transcript
  • If you have previous qualifications we will require the student to complete a consent form and also provide identification with a matching signature. This can be a Drivers License, passport or ID.
4

Funding

  • If you have accepted the Smart & Skilled quote we will register you with Training NSW. A copy is sent to the Learner.
  • If you are using payment options, we set them up through Ezidebit or in full, and will include those in the contract we send you. 
  • Once the signed contract is returned, an invoice is sent along with a copy of the Ezidebit agreement (if using a payment plan). 
5

Welcome

  • We send you a welcome email giving you your Learning Portal log in details, and an introduction to your Trainer.
  • From there your Trainer will get in touch with you. 

Welcome to Atkinson Childcare College! 

Atkinson Childcare USI number
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How to get your Unique Student identifier (USI)

As of 1 January 2015 it is compulsory for all students to have or to obtain a USI Unique Student
Identifier. If you are looking to start a course you must do this ASAP.

It takes less than five minutes to set up and verify.

Quick How-To Steps

  1. Follow the link to the 'Create Your USI' page:
    https://www.usi.gov.au/students/get-a-usi
  2. Follow the prompts and enter your information
  3. Verify your email/ID via the website
  4. Email your USI number to training@atkinsontraining.com.au
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How we support you

At Atkinson’s we have always had the deepest respect for the work of early childhood educators. We see first-hand, every day, the difference you make in the lives of young people.

It’s why we wanted to shake up the stodgy world of early childhood training. To make it fun, engaging and about skills not fear-based tests and exams.

And we are with you every step of the way.

Our trainers are dedicated to your success. Available whenever you need them.

And if they are busy, our management team is on hand to answer your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take to complete my course?

CH30125 Certificate III usually takes between 12-18 months - it can be finished in a shorter timeframe depending on how much time you have to study.

Diploma - most people complete the CH50125 Diploma course in 2 years and are in the workplace.

Is work placement included in my course?

The CH30125 Certificate III requires 160 hours of workplace experience in a registered Children's service.

The CH50125 Diploma requires 280 hours of workplace experience in a registered Children's service.

Are there jobs available in Childcare?

Yes, there are many opportunities for those qualified to work in NSW Childcare Centres.

What is Smart and Skilled NSW?

Smart and Skilled NSW provides eligible NSW learners with subsidised Training for various qualifications. Check out our courses.

How do I know if I'm eligible?

As the funding available can vary from State to State the quickest way is to contact us and in a few minutes we can help you with the best option to save you time and money.

When can I enrol?

You can enrol anytime of the year, just contact us and ask for the link.

Are there payment plans if I don't want to use funding?

Yes, we have a number of payment plan options for those who cannot access funded courses.

Is funding always available?

Funding for NSW Smart and Skilled courses is allocated each year around June.

Once it has all been used you will need to wait until the next financial year. We recommend, if you are eligible and can enrol straight away to do so, otherwise you may miss out.

Smart and Skilled NSW webform

To check your eligibility for funded courses in NSW please complete your details below.