Recently, discussions such as “GD in Early Childhood is blocked,” “NSW and SA no longer recognise GD,” and “Early childhood migration is over” have been spreading rapidly across Xiaohongshu and various study-and-migration groups. As information gets repeatedly reposted and amplified, many students have started to panic.Here, we break down what is actually happening.Conclusion upfront: This is not because Australia no longer recognises Graduate Diplomas, not because GD holders can no longer complete migration skills assessments.The real issue is that NSW and South Australia are tightening their teacher registration systems, which directly impacts the pathway:GD → ECT → State Nomination

I. Where Did This Debate Start? Large Employers Raised the Bar First

Many posts mention that Goodstart no longer accepts GD graduates as ECTs. This refers to Goodstart Early Learning, one of Australia’s largest early childhood education groups.This is not a policy change, but an internal employer upgrade:

• Previously: GD + teacher registration → eligible for ECT roles，
• Current trend: Master’s degree preferred, GD no longer sufficient，

In other words, employers are raising ECT entry standards, not the government “banning” GD qualifications.However, this is only the first layer of impact.

II. The Real Turning Point: Teacher RegistrationWhat truly determines whether you can legally work as an ECT is state-based teacher registration.

In New South Wales, this is managed by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).Current reality: Graduates with a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood are now finding it extremely difficult to obtain ECT teacher registration in NSW.

Key clarifications:

• The qualification itself is not unrecognised
• Migration skills assessment eligibility has not changed
• But without teacher registration, you cannot legally work as an ECT

III. Migration Skills Assessment Has NOT Changed ACECQA Still Accepts GD，The authority responsible for early childhood migration skills assessment is the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Current status:GD qualifications are still accepted，ECT skills assessments can still be completed，Applications for 189 / 190 / 491 visas remain possible，Therefore, claims such as “GD can no longer be used for migration assessment” are factually incorrect.

IV. Why Is GD Essentially “Blocked” for NSW / SA 190?Because the 190 visa is a state-nominated, employment-driven pathway.

The real-world logic in NSW and South Australia has become:GD graduation → No ECT registration → No legal ECT employment → Unable to meet state nomination work requirements → 190 pathway breaks，This is why the current situation can be summarised as follows:

“NSW / SA do not recognise GD” – ❌ Incorrect → They do not support GD as a direct ECT pathway

“Teacher registration does not affect 189” – ✅ Correct → 189 relies on ACECQA assessment only

“GD is basically unusable for NSW / SA 190” – ✅ Correct in practice → State nominations now place heavy emphasis on overall candidate quality, including employment

“A Master’s degree is now the safer option” – ✅ True → Master’s qualifications are becoming the mainstream pathway. Some applicants are also shifting toward secondary teaching pathways instead.

V. Already Completed a GD?

Practical and Realistic Upgrade Options，If you have already completed a GD in Early Childhood, there is still a viable pathway:Progression to a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)

Advantages:

• Possible RPL / credit exemptions
• Often requires only around one additional year of study
• Results in Master’s qualification + ECT teacher registration eligibility

One university that clearly accepts GD-to-Master progression is: Deakin University

Important considerations:

• GTE / Statement review is required
• Teaching placement requirements will be assessed

Background alignment with teaching standards is evaluated，Despite these checks, this remains the most realistic structural upgrade pathway at present.

VI. The Real Trend in Early Childhood Migration

In summary:

 GD → 189 still exists
 GD → NSW / SA 190 is largely unworkable in practice
 Master’s degree is becoming the standard configuration
 Major early childhood employers are raising hiring thresholds
 Teacher registration is now more critical than migration skills assessment

In short: Early childhood education migration is not dead — but the era of “fast migration via GD” is coming to an end.