From Trimester 1 2026, Ikon Institute will introduce an updated Professional Experience (Placement) structure for the Diploma of Early Childhood Education (DECE) and Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE). The new dual-stream model aligns with ACECQA 2025 standards, ensuring all students meet accreditation and registration requirements. Review the details below to confirm which stream applies to you and how it affects your placement schedule and course progression.
Overview
Ikon’s School of Education has undertaken a comprehensive review of all Professional Experience (Placement) subjects to ensure they meet accreditation and registration requirements and align with current sector expectations.
This review was prompted by:
- Current sector trends and limitations in the capacity of early childhood services to accept students for placement
- ACECQA’s July 2025 changes (effective from 2026) to the minimum number of supervised placement days
- Recent ACECQA program accreditation renewals
To meet these standards and maintain course quality, a dual Professional Experience Stream model will apply from Trimester 1 2026.
Stream 1 – Current Students (Pre-2026)
Applies to: Students who have completed PLAC907, PLAC908, or PLAC909 before January 2026.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Age Group / Focus |
| PLAC907 | Professional Experience 1 | 3–5 years |
| PLAC908 | Professional Experience 2 | 0–3 years |
| PLAC909 | Professional Experience 3 | 3–5 years |
| PLAC910 | Professional Experience 4 (Capstone) | Student-selected focus |
No action is required — your course progression and completion timeline remain unchanged.
Stream 2 – New Students (From T1 2026 Onwards)
Applies to: Students who commence study, receive credit, or complete PLAC917 from Trimester 1 2026 onward.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Placement Days / Focus |
| PLAC917 | Professional Experience 1 (On-Campus Immersion) |
0 supervised days – on-campus learning and excursions to early childhood services |
| PLAC918 | Professional Experience 2 | 35 days (15 days with 0–2 yrs, 10 days with 2–3 yrs, 10 days with 3–5 yrs) |
| PLAC919 | Professional Experience 3 | 25 days (3–5 yrs) |
| PLAC920 | Professional Experience 4 | 25 days (student-selected age group and service type) |
Key Points
- These changes will not negatively impact your progression or graduation.
- Both streams remain fully ACECQA and state registration compliant.
- Completion of PLAC907 or PLAC917 qualifies you to apply for early childhood educator roles.
- A new fee applies to PLAC917 (from 2026). See Ikon’s 2026 Fee Schedules for details.
- The update improves sector alignment and placement readiness for all students.
FAQs
1. Why is PLAC907 no longer offered?
The Head of School has undertaken a comprehensive review of all Early Childhood Professional Experience subjects to ensure they meet accreditation and registration requirements and align with current sector expectations. This review was prompted by:
- Current sector trends and placement-capacity limitations
- ACECQA’s July 2025 changes (effective 2026) to supervised placement requirements
- Recent ACECQA program accreditation renewals
2. Why has the placement been removed or postponed?
No placement units have been removed from the qualifications. Trimester 3 2025 and Trimester 1 2026 postponement has been required due to current sector trends and limitations in the capacity of early childhood services to accept students for placement.
This approach ensures continuity for current students while aligning future placement structures with sector needs and ACECQA’s 2025 standards.
3. What does this change mean for the course?
The update introduces two course streams depending on your study progression.
Stream 1 – Current Students (Pre-2026)
Applies to: Students who have completed PLAC907, PLAC908, or PLAC909 before January 2026.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Age Group / Focus |
| PLAC907 | Professional Experience 1 | 3–5 years |
| PLAC908 | Professional Experience 2 | 0–3 years |
| PLAC909 | Professional Experience 3 | 3–5 years |
| PLAC910 | Professional Experience 4 (Capstone) | Student-selected focus |
No action is required — your course progression and completion timeline remain unchanged.
Stream 2 – New Students (From T1 2026 Onwards)
Applies to: Students who commence study, receive credit, or complete PLAC917 from Trimester 1 2026 onward.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Placement Days / Focus |
| PLAC917 | Professional Experience 1 (On-Campus Immersion) |
0 supervised days – on-campus learning and excursions to early childhood services |
| PLAC918 | Professional Experience 2 | 35 days (15 days with 0–2 yrs, 10 days with 2–3 yrs, 10 days with 3–5 yrs) |
| PLAC919 | Professional Experience 3 | 25 days (3–5 yrs) |
| PLAC920 | Professional Experience 4 | 25 days (student-selected age group and service type) |
4. What is the cost of PLAC917? Is there a change to my tuition fees?
The cost of PLAC917 in 2026 has been updated to reflect this change. Further details about these fees can be found in Ikon’s International and Domestic 2026 Fee Schedules.
5. Will this change affect the total professional placement hours that I will complete in my course?
No, all students will complete the required number of supervised placements days prior to course completion. It will just be in a different structure.
6. Will this change affect my ability to meet the professional experience requirements needed to become an Early Childhood Teacher after graduation?
No, DECE students will continue to meet ACECQA accreditation requirements, and BECE students will still meet accreditation and registration requirements as an Early Childhood Teacher in each State and Territory.
7. Is it possible for students to remain on the original course structure that included PLAC907?
Students will follow their current progression if they complete PLAC907, PLAC908, or PLAC909 prior to January 2026. All other students will move to the new course progression from Trimester 1 2026.
8. Will this change affect my ability to look for employment as a Certificate III educator at the end of PLAC917?
No, you will continue to be eligible to apply for early childhood educator roles upon successful completion of PLAC907 or PLAC917. As always, employment decisions remain solely with individual employers, and Ikon cannot influence these outcomes.
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