Certificate III in School Based Education Support CHC30221

This qualification is perfect for people who want to start a career as an Education Assistant/Officer/Worker/Aide, as well as those who are already working in the area but who need to formalise their qualifications in order to take the next step in their career.

The course is also suitable for new entrants as it is a direct entry with no pre-requisite subjects.

If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and complete your studies faster. Please note - limitations do apply.

If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and complete your studies faster. Please note - limitations do apply.

During the course, you will learn how to:

• Fully prepare for a career in the classroom, helping teachers to educate, support and inspire students.
• Communicate and work collaboratively with teachers and colleagues, as well as support the holistic wellbeing, health and safety of all students.
• Master the skills that you need to effectively help children learn and develop numeracy, literacy and oral language skills.
• Help children and teens with behavioural issues, and how to fully support and assist those with special learning needs.
• Become adept at implementing planned education programs in classroom settings, as well as helping with the organisation and management of classrooms and community education centres.

The duration for the course is self paced - maximum of 18 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. It is also recommended that students

• Are 18 years old (students under 18 will need permission from a parent or guardian to enrol)
• Have language, literacy and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to learn effectively in an online self-paced environment, work independently, read and comprehend technical terms and communicate effectively through email. These skills are equivalent to those that would be required to successfully complete Year 12 or ACSF Level 3.
• Have basic computing skills

Minimum age

You will need to be at least 18 years old.

Physical Requirements

You are required to have a level of physical ability that enables you to observe and interact with children as well as move freely within a school environment. 

Equipment and tools

Students will require access to the following equipment and tools

• A modern computer with high-speed internet
• Microsoft office or equivalent
• A device with audio & video capabilities
• People to participate in role plays & assessments

• By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
• You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
• Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

You’ll need to find a work placement yourself and ensure it’s approved by Open Colleges. When looking for a suitable work placement host organisation, have a think about the following:

• Are you already working or volunteering in the industry your course is related to? You could potentially do your work placement at your current place of work or have contacts that could recommend a suitable work place. Ask around!
• If you’re entering a new industry, do some research and start thinking about organisations you could approach. We have plenty of resources available to help with approaching and finding a suitable work placement organisation.

All costs of work placement, including any placement fees charged by the host organisation (whether to the student or Open Colleges), cost of statutory checks and vaccinations, travel, accommodation, and uniforms are the responsibility of the student. These fees will vary and are dependent on your location within Australia.

• Costs for statutory checks will range between $50 - $250 dependent on the type of check you select and your state.
• Costs for vaccinations will very between practitioners, please refer to your GP for approximate costs.
• Placement fees will vary, please discuss this with your intended host organisation for approximate costs.

Your placement hours can be done part time or as a block depending on the requirements and availability within the workplace. 

The workplace will need to provide access to the equipment and resources necessary to undertake your Workplace Assessments and must be an Australian School catering to students between the ages of 5 and 18 years in a classroom environment. 

Open Colleges will need to ascertain whether the workplace you have chosen is appropriate before you commence your work placement hours. 

The workplace can include a range of education environments, including:

• Government school (primary and secondary)
• Private/non-government school (primary and secondary)
• Special educational centre

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

The Workplace Supervisor will need to be an individual currently employed as an accredited teacher (by the New South Wales Institute of Teaching) or registered teacher (through the Victorian Institute of Teaching, Queensland College of Teachers, Teacher Registration Board of South Australia, Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia, Teacher Registration Board of Tasmania, Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory or Australian Capital Territory Teacher Quality Institute) in a relevant school setting.