• Students are required to obtain a Working with Children Check (Not required for students under the age of 18 years) before attending work placement

This course is also available as a traineeship.

Entrance requirements for traineeships

You must be employed in a training contract by an appropriate organisation to study an apprenticeship or traineeship. 

In a traineeship you also gain hands-on skills and work experience, and improve your employment prospects, while earning a wage. On successful completion you will gain a nationally recognised qualification which can lead to rewarding career options. The difference between a traineeship and an apprenticeship is that a traineeship can be either a full time or part time employment based training arrangement, usually for a nominal duration of 12 months or more, generally in a non-trade related area. 

To find out how to arrange a traineeship and study at South Metropolitan TAFE, please contact the Jobs and Skills Centre closest to you.

Please note this list should be used as a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.

SM TAFE actively promotes the employment availability of course graduates to key industry partners and organisations. We also seek expressions of interest from organisations for the placement of our students into work experience. In addition, this course involves work placement, giving you further opportunity to develop relationships with potential employers. We endeavour to assist students into a career pathway, but please be aware that employment is not guaranteed by us.

To access free career planning and job search assistance, visit the Jobs and Skills Centres page.

On campus delivery

This course is equivalent to:

• 3 days Stage 1 Full time
• 2 days stage 2 full time
• 2 days stage 1 & 2 part-time
• 2 days stage 3 part-time
• two semesters full time or three semesters part-time
• this includes in class time and work placement (see work placement tab for details)

At-home study

As well as the in-class component, you will need to complete approximately 10 hours of additional study each week outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research.

You will need to have the basic technical requirements for at-home study. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.

Students will be expected to access to online learning resources with either a laptop or an iPad. The purchase or an eBook or text is required.

Work placement

160 hours of mandatory work placement in stage 1 and set scheduled work placement days for stage 2 within your timetable for completion of this course. SM TAFE will arrange a suitable work placement within industry for you. This can be achieved by attending one day per week of class and 4 days per week of work placement in second term of each semester.

In order to undertake a mandatory work placement, you must obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) (Not required for students under the age of 18 years). This form will be issued and completed at your orientation.

Please be aware that industries and employers have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which has meant that some work placements have been cancelled, put on hold or student places significantly reduced. While every effort is being made to work with our industry partners to secure work placements during this unprecedented time, there may be delays in students being placed. As a result of these delays, some students may take longer than the expected time to complete their course. Lecturing staff will keep all students up to date and will inform students if this may affect them and cause a delay in finishing their course.

What you need for your first day of class

On your first day, you should bring your SM TAFE confirmation enrolment receipt, your student ID, your own personal device (e.g. iPad, tablet or laptop) and stationery (e.g. pen, notepad, etc)

Students will be expected to access our online learning resources with their own devices. The purchase of an eBook or text is required at the expense of students. 

Online and on campus study option

For our online and on campus study options, students will be expected to access online resources and attend occasional Saturday workshops at Thornlie campus or via live collaborative online sessions. This is in collaboration between student/lecturer.

To study online and on campus, you should be prepared to commit to independent study and to attend our campuses. To help you understand what it takes to study online and on campus at SM TAFE, download our info pack below.

Online and on campus study info pack (337 KB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab)

Online and on campus work placement

For those using our online and on campus study option, mandatory 160 hours per enrolment period to be completed in a regulated childcare centre. This can be achieved by attending work placement of 2 days throughout the enrolment period. 

 SM TAFE will arrange a suitable work placement within the industry for you. Work placement must be within a regulated childcare service.

In order to undertake mandatory work placement, you must obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) (Not required for students under the age of 18 years). This form will be issued and completed at your orientation.

Please be aware that industries and employers have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which has meant that some work placements have been cancelled, put on hold or student places significantly reduced. While every effort is being made to work with our industry partners to secure work placements during this unprecedented time, there may be delays in students being placed. As a result of these delays some students may take longer than the expected time to complete their course. Lecturing staff will keep all students up to date and will inform students if this may affect them and cause a delay in finishing their course.

• Students must be proficient in written and spoken English, as the course requires communication with other students, lecturers and workers/clients in industry.
• There is an online reading component to this course and as such, you must be computer literate and have available computer and internet access.
• A Working with Children Check (WWCC) (Not required for students under the age of 18 years) must be obtained prior to attending the mandatory work placement. This form will be issued and completed at your orientation.
• Students must complete a First Aid Course which will be held on a variety of days with possible Saturdays.
• Study outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research will be required to successfully complete your course.
• Bring your own device (BYOD) is encouraged but not essential.
  If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.