Course: Certificate III in Children's Services CHC30708 (in partnership with the International Child Care College)

Minimum education

• Year 10 or equivalent OR
• relevant qualification OR
• relevant vocational experience.

Minimum age

Minimum age of 16 years. If you are under 18 your application must be signed by a parent or guardian.

Computer requirements

Students will need access to a computer and the internet. For students who do not have access to either a computer or the internet please contact a student support officer to discuss alternative methods of communication.

Minimum specifications for the computer are:

• Microsoft Office 2003 or equivalent, and
• Microsoft Windows 98, or
• Mac OS X, and
• CD-ROM drive.

Students will also need access to a printer and the following applications:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader and
• Macromedia Flash player.

English language requirements

Open Colleges will endeavour to provide additional assistance to students who experience difficulties with language, literacy and numeracy.

Workplace requirements

Students must complete 120 hours of work placement to receive this qualification. Work placement can be completed by block placement and/or over full, half or partial days at a registered childcare facility.

Students are able to undertake work placement hours at a facility in which they already work, or are required to find casual or volunteer work to meet the work placement requirements.

Additional requirements

Manual handling: In order to complete the mandatory work placement for this course you will need to be able to meet the physical requirements of workplace performance such as manual handling and lifting.

First Aid Certificate: Students must hold a current First Aid Certificate (competency HTLFA301C) to complete the course.

Working with Children Check: Students in most states must apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check. Please check below by state:

• New South Wales: NSW Working with Children Check requires students to complete the Volunteer/Student Worker Declaration located at https://check.kids.nsw.gov.au/index.php#are-you-volunteer and provide this to the employer.
• ACT: Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in the Australian Capital Territory. However, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.
• Northern Territory: Students need to apply and obtain a Clearance Notice before commencing work and volunteer placement. Individual organisations may also have their own policies regarding working with children and may require employees to undergo a Police Check. For more information visit the Northern Territory Police Department or website www.pfes.nt.gov.au.
• Queensland: In Queensland, people working or volunteering with children need to hold a Blue Card. The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian is responsible for administering and conducting criminal history checks on people who want to work with children to determine whether or not they are eligible to hold a Blue Card. For more information please visit www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/employment/index.html.
• South Australia: Under the Children's Protection Act (Section 8B), people in SA who work in jobs which require regular contact with children are required to obtain police clearance before they commence employment. A National Police Certificate application form is available from the South Australian Police Department.
• Tasmania: Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in Tasmania, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.
• Victoria: The Victorian Government has introduced the Working with Children Check, which is compulsory for people who wish to work with or volunteer with children. To apply please visit www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren.
• Western Australia: A Working with Children Check is compulsory for people who carry out child-related work in Western Australia. Students should apply at www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au/checkwwc.

Police Check: In all states of Australia, child care centres may request a police check before a student begins placement. This can be obtained from the students local police station and is known as a National Name Check.