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This course will provide you with the skills to prepare you for roles such as a teachers aide or education assistant working in a school.
- implement planned education programs
- assist students in their learning and development
- contribute to the safety and health of students
- support students with additional needs
- work effectively with culturally diverse students and colleagues
In order to make an informed choice about the suitability of this course, you must take into account the essential skills and knowledge required to undertake this study.
- excellent observational skills - to be able to identify changes in behaviour, abilities and environment
- good communication skills to liaise/work with a range of people
- good listening and writing skills
- be able to deal with physical demands of manual tasks
- basic problem solving skills and the ability to respond to immediate safety risks
- Tolerance, patience and the willingness to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures
Our Informed Choices Guide - School Based Education Support - PDF download (291 KB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab) lists the skills and attributes necessary to study and work in this field.
This qualification is directly aligned with priority industry areas where the jobs are today, and into the future. As part of the state government Lower fees, local skills initiative, from 1 January 2020 through to 31 December 2025 you'll only pay half the course fees, capped for each year at $1,200; or $400 (plus resource fee) if you're aged 15—24 or eligible for a concession. Find out more
This course requires police clearance and a working with children check prior to work placement. See the important information tab for instructions.
| School Leaver | Non-School Leaver | AQF |
|---|---|---|
| OLNA or NAPLAN 9 Band 8 | C Grades in Year 10 English and Maths or equivalent | Certificate I or Certificate II |
Attendance in class
This course is equivalent to 4 days per week when studied full time across one semester.
At-home study
As well as the in-class component, you will need to complete approximately 10 hours of additional study each week outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research.
You will need to have the basic technical requirements for at-home study. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.
Work placement
100 hours of work placement is mandatory for completion of this course. SM TAFE will arrange a suitable work placement within industry for you. This can be achieved by attending a two-week block of work placement in Term 1 and a four-week block of work placement in Term 2. In order to undertake mandatory work placement, you must obtain the following:
- Working with Children Check (WWCC) AND
- The online National Police History Check (Department of Education Screening)
OR - WA Department of Education Confidential Declaration Form (if under 18 years of age)
These forms will be issued and completed at orientation.
Please be aware that industries and employers have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which has meant that some work placements have been cancelled, put on hold or student places significantly reduced. While every effort is being made to work with our industry partners to secure work placements during this unprecedented time, there may be delays in students being placed. As a result of these delays some students may take longer than the expected time to complete their course. Lecturing staff will keep all students up to date and will inform students if this may affect them and cause a delay in finishing their course.
What you need for your first day of class
On your first day you should bring your SM TAFE confirmation enrolment receipt, your student ID and stationery (pen, notepad, USB and two white lever arch files).
Students will be expected to access to online learning resources with either a laptop or an iPad.
Online learning option
If you study this course online, please be aware that:
- You must be working and employed within the education sector.
- You must complete 10 hours of at home study per week, including off campus reading and the completion of blackboard activities and assignments.
- 100 hours of work placement is mandatory for completion of this course and work in the education sector can be counted as practical hours.
- You will need to have the basic technical requirements for at-home study and be computer literate with available computer and internet access. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.
- You will need to adhere to the Personal Protective Equipment requirements in line with the policy of your employer.
- If you are under 18 years of age it may be difficult to obtain employment in a school. However, there are career pathways you can follow for further training.
- Students must be proficient in written and spoken English, as the course requires communication with other students, lecturers and workers/clients in industry.
- Students must have the ability to set aside between four and five days per week for attendance at classes, work placement and study.
In order to undertake mandatory work placement, you must obtain the following:
- Working with Children Check (WWCC) AND
- The online National Police History Check (Department of Education Screening)
OR - WA Department of Education Confidential Declaration Form (if under 18 years of age)
These forms will be issued and completed at orientation.
Select your preferred campus and apply
Click on your preferred campus and study mode below to get started with your application.
Semester 1, 2023
Rockingham - Online and On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters |
| When | Semester 1, 2023 |
| Where | Rockingham |
| How | Online and On Campus |
Armadale - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| When | Semester 1, 2023 |
| Where | Armadale |
| How | On Campus |
Murdoch - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| When | Semester 1, 2023 |
| Where | Murdoch |
| How | On Campus |
Rockingham - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| When | Semester 1, 2023 |
| Where | Rockingham |
| How | On Campus |
Armadale - Part time - On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters |
| When | Semester 1, 2023 |
| Where | Armadale |
| How | On Campus |
Rockingham - Part time - On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters |
| When | Semester 1, 2023 |
| Where | Rockingham |
| How | On Campus |
Semester 2, 2023
Murdoch - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| When | Semester 2, 2023 |
| Where | Murdoch |
| How | On Campus |
Rockingham - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| When | Semester 2, 2023 |
| Where | Rockingham |
| How | On Campus |
Rockingham - Online and On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters |
| When | Semester 2, 2023 |
| Where | Rockingham |
| How | Online and On Campus |
Semester 2, 2022
Armadale - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| When | Semester 2, 2022 |
| Where | Armadale |
| How | On Campus |
Murdoch - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| When | Semester 2, 2022 |
| Where | Murdoch |
| How | On Campus |
Rockingham - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| When | Semester 2, 2022 |
| Where | Rockingham |
| How | On Campus |
Rockingham - Online and On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters |
| When | Semester 2, 2022 |
| Where | Rockingham |
| How | Online and On Campus |