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How to Become a Preschool Assistant: Australian Careers in Early Childhood Education

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What is a Preschool Assistant?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Preschool Assistant?

A Preschool Assistant supports a teacher in caring for and teaching children aged three to five. They work in preschools and early learning centres across Australia. This role is part of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.

Day-to-day, Preschool Assistants help run art, crafts, games, and outdoor play. They attend to children’s basic needs, including meals, toileting, and rest times. They keep the room clean and tidy so children can learn safely.

The role calls for patience, care, and a love of working with young children. Preschool Assistants watch how children are going and report back to the lead teacher. They also chat with parents at drop-off and pick-up.

Around 3,100 people work as Preschool Aides in Australia (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). The sector has grown, with 15,100 more educators joining from 2024 to 2025 (Australian Government, 2025). A Preschool Assistant role is a great way to start in early childhood education.

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Career snapshots For Preschool Assistants

A Preschool Assistant works in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector. Around 3,100 people hold this role in Australia (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). The workforce is 98% female, with a median age of 46. Most positions are part-time; only 21% of Preschool Aides work full-time hours.

The average weekly wage is about $1,098, or roughly $57,000 per year (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). PayScale shows an average hourly rate of AU$25.02 (PayScale, 2026). Total annual pay ranges from AU$43,000 to AU$71,000. The Australian Government gave early childhood educators a 15% pay rise in 2025. Vacancy rates fell by 14% over the same period (Australian Government, 2025).

What will I do?

Preschool Assistants work with teachers to run a safe, fun classroom for young children. They handle many tasks each day. These include setting up activities and meeting children’s basic needs. This role suits people who enjoy hands-on work and care about children.

  • Help the teacher prepare and run daily activities such as games, crafts, and excursions.
  • Watch children’s progress and share findings at parent-teacher meetings.
  • Attend to children’s basic needs such as toileting, feeding, and nap schedules.
  • Maintain a clean and tidy classroom.
  • Supervise children during all activities and enforce centre policy.

What skills do I need?

A Preschool Assistant needs good people skills and practical know-how. Clear talking skills are key for working with children, parents, and teachers each day. Patience and care help when children are still learning to deal with their feelings.

Being creative helps with planning fun, hands-on activities for children. Good planning keeps the room running well and children feeling safe. Preschool Assistants also need to work well as part of a team. They support the lead teacher all day long.

Skills/attributes

  • Strong communication skills
  • Patience and empathy
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Understanding of child development principles
  • Creativity in planning activities
  • Organisational skills
  • Basic first aid knowledge
  • Ability to support children with diverse needs
  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • Commitment to child safety and inclusion
  • Basic literacy and numeracy skills
  • Willingness to take part in ongoing professional development

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.