Education Support Resources

Students who undertake the CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support are likely to find work in one of Western Australia’s 1121 schools (including 812 government schools or any one of the 309 non-government schools in WA). Graduates may also find work as a support worker under the supervision of a teacher in a range of other school settings such as:

• senior colleges
• high schools or senior high schools
• remote community schools
• kindergartens
• k-12 schools.

‘You can search for schools in your local area online by going to the WA government’s ‘schools online’ website.

An ITAC student on placement demonstrating her knowledge of best practice teaching techniques.

The CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support is required by most Western Australian schols and for the majority of positions. This teacher aide course is intended for those who plan on working with students with special needs (including special needs schools and centres). In fact, this course is known as the ‘special needs’ course and graduates of this qualification are sought after by schools across WA.

The CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support is known in the industry as the ‘special needs course’. Graduates tend to work with students with disabilities, disorders and difficulties that require one-on-one support of some kind. You can see the plethora of positions advertised at any time by visiting the WA government’s online Job’s Board which includes positions advertised by independent government schools. Non-government schools often advertise in local papers, by word of mouth, on their website, or online via sites such as at SEEK.

Follow the links below to learn more about ITAC's courses:

• CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support
• CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support
• Teacher Aide Combo (CHC30221 + CHC40221).

Teacher aide supporting a reading program.

The Institute of Teacher Aide Courses offers both the CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support and the CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support in an online mode. There is also a class-based option in Western Australia. Online learning involves accessing learning and assessment materials from the comfort of your own home (or any other location of your choosing), all with the friendly support of your experienced trainer.

With all of ITAC's courses (including online), students are encouraged to contact their trainer on a regular basis, as well as to attend regular tutorials and live webinars. All students can pick up the phone or send an email at any stage of their course. Online or distance learning certainly does not mean that students are expected to go at it alone.

Class-based options are very popular and ITAC have been running classes for more than a decade in Western Australia. Our class-based courses run one day per week from Cockburn Central (which is only 18 minutes train ride from the Perth CBD, or about 20 minutes from Mandurah station).

An ITAC student finishing her 100 hours of placement – could this be you?

Before graduating from any of nationally recognised qualifications, all students must log 100 hours in a registered WA school (such as those listed on the Department of Education’s ‘Schools Online’ platform for public schools or the Catholic Education Office equivilent.

The 100 hours of work placement is a government requirement in Australia for both the CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support and the CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support. Think of the placement as an opportunity because many students find work at the school where they undertake their placement (provided you were properly trained by a reputable provider).

The placement can generally be completed in a local school and is always completed under the watchful guidance and mentorship of an experienced and qualified teacher who is registered with the Teacher Registration Board of WA.

An ITAC trainer will also visit you in the workplace to assess you as part of your qualification and to provide guidance, support, advice and tips for your continued professional development.

Some highly qualified teacher aides run their own programs – what do you think they are learning?

The CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support is a popular qualification for learners in WA who intend to work as an education support worker in an Australian school. Learners who undertake the CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support are likely to find work in one of Western Australia’s 1121 schools (including 812 government schools or any one of the 309 non-government schools in WA).

Students study all of the basics of working in a school in WA, including:

• best-practice one-on-one and small group instruction
• student centred activities such as play based learning
• advanced topics such as metacognitive skills
• practical skills such as formative assessment and graphic organisers
• a heap of reading and writing strategies including for spelling and vocab
• explicit teaching skills like scaffolding and chunking
• many other essential skills that you will only learn in ITAC’s best practice, research-based teacher aide courses.

The CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support is a popular course for those seeking an education support position in a WA school as a teacher aide, teacher assistant or education assistant.

This course has a focus on working and supporting students with special needs such as visual and hearing impairment, neurological disabilities, mental health issues and a range of other disabilities, disorders and difficulties that require specialist support.

Graduates of the CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support may find work in one of WA’s 66 education support schools or centres. They tend to work in higher paid positions that require specialist qualifications and skills. This includes working with students with disabilities, disorders, complex needs and comorbidities (multiple disabilities and health issues). However, they are not restricted to working with students with special needs but are qualified to do so should they wish.

To become an education assistant in WA you must first complete an education assistant qualification (such as the CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support) and then start applying for work in local schools. You will also need a Working with Children Clearance or WWCC in order to enter school grounds.

Many students being their career by working relief (casual) or short-term contracts; eventually progressing to more permanent positions. You can read more about becoming an education assistant in WA here.

The difference between the CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support and the CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support is smaller than you might think. The Cert III covers all the basics while the Cert IV covers these same things but also focuses on supporting students with more complex needs such as autism and ADHD.

Both courses cover all of the essential skills needed to work in a WA school, such as:

• the levels of instruction
• modelling and scaffolding
• reading and writing support strategies
• cooperative learning strategies
• metacognitive skills, study skills and coping strategies
• common activities such as graphic organisers
• feedback and questioning techniques
• many others that you will only learn at ITAC!

The CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support in planned to take 26 weeks (6 months) to complete. The time it takes to actually complete this course varies because it's mostly self-paced. Students work through each component of the course at a rate that suits their schedule and capabilities.

Those who have experience with children or who have worked in any of the caring industries, tend to find these course relatively easy. This is because they bring a lot of existing knowledge with them - this knowledge can be applied to the classroom even though they have never worked in a classroom before. Examples include identifying hazards, record keeping and following regulatory procedures.