Switch to Child Protection

You are eligible to apply if you have the following qualifications and experience:

• a diploma of community services (or equivalent) plus at least 3 years’ full time professional experience in a related community services field. For example, youth work, child protection, or family violence 

Or

• a relevant bachelor degree

And

• not be currently working in child protection in Victoria   
• have Australian permanent residency or Australian citizenship
• pass a national crime check and an international Police Check if required
• pass a Working with Children Check
• be able to participate in the program full time from June 2026.

You must also be able to show you have experience working with children and young people. 
 

You will be responsible for the study costs for the program qualification. 

The costs are:

• $9,596.30 for a reduced full tuition fee
• $186 for a Student services and amenities fee. 

You must pay both fees to La Trobe University at the start of the program.

The department will pay you a retention incentive equal to the tuition fee ($9,596) after you successfully complete the program qualification and 12 months of child protection service.

Eligible regional staff will also receive a regional retention allowance. This is a payment of $2,500 paid on Wednesday 1 July 2026, Friday 1 January 2027 and Thursday 1 July 2027. 

For more information on the benefits of working in regional Victoria, visit child protection jobs – regional benefits

Help with fees

You will have access to FEE-HELP and SA-HELP. 

La Trobe University delivers the Graduate Certificate in Child Protection. The certificate is full-time over one semester (approximately 4 months). There are 4 units of the graduate certificate. Three units will be online. 

One unit will be hybrid delivery, with online and face-to-face requirements. For the face-to-face components, you must attend the La Trobe Bundoora campus for:

• two mandatory 2-day blocks (estimated to be in September and October)

and 

• a day for assessment.

There will be extra support for study skills if you need it.

You will work 2 days per week while you study and receive a full-time wage. See employment information for position classification and salary.

You will:

• be employed as an Advanced Child Protection Practitioner (CPP4) at the start of the program. The salary for this position starts from $100,894 per year plus superannuation
• work full-time hours for the first 2 weeks. See key dates for more information
• do an induction to child protection and the department. 

After you complete the graduate certificate lectures and tutorials, you will start full-time office hours with a reduced caseload.  

Your caseload will gradually increase to that of a full-time Advanced Child Protection Practitioner (CPP4).