Certificate III in School Based Education Support
Overview
6 months full time
6 months
February, July
February, July
A high impact career
Teachers’ aides make a real difference in the lives of the children they support. Working with children with special needs is an ideal career for people who enjoy working with children and possess patience, resilience and empathetic natures. Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate III in School Based Education Support CHC30221 teaches a specialised skill set to provide this support. Opportunities for education support workers are expected to increase substantially in the next five years, with an additional 30,000 job opportunities predicted. You can expect to be in demand and enjoy job security and opportunities to learn and develop your career. More importantly, you’ll make a difference to people’s lives.
Learn to provide the support they need
Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate III in School Based Education Support CHC30221 provides the skills needed to give extra literacy and numeracy support to students with special needs in classroom settings. You will learn with highly experienced teachers who will guide your learning and mentor you in the essential skills needed to work as an educational support assistant. You will participate in a number of excursions to primary schools and be given the opportunity to listen to guest speakers from industry. You will also gain hands-on skills via a 100-hour workplace placement.
Graduate classroom-ready
The successful completion of Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate III in School Based Education Support CHC30221 qualifies you to work as a teacher’s aide or education support worker. You may gain employment as an education assistant, Indigenous language and culture teaching assistant or with some further study, an education officer. This is a comprehensive and widely recognised qualification that provides the ideal foundation for a successful career in education support for children with special needs or further studies in education, training or early childhood care.
Career Pathways
Where will the Certificate III in School Based Education Support CHC30221 take me?
As a teacher's aide, you will make a difference in the lives of the students you assist. You can work in all schools and community education settings that provide assistance to teachers and students. This work is ideal for parents needing to be home early for school-aged children.
- Teacher's Aide
- Education Assistant
Study Pathways
Successful completion of this course will enable you to apply to enrol in a Certificate IV in Education Support, Diploma of Education Support or a Bachelor of Education.
Course Details
Delivery methods
This course has a 100-hour workplace requirement.
- Practicum
How you will study
Each course has a dedicated learning method that is designed to let you thrive in your studies.
On-campus
Interactive learning in a face-to-face environment. Classes will be held at a Melbourne Polytechnic campus or partner institute. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.
Class Schedule
12 month traineeship option available. Traineeships are also available for those already working in this sector.
Assessment Methods
Assessment for each competency will be through a combination of on-the-job (practicum) and off-the-job tasks. Off-the-job assessment is a combination of class exercises, assignments and practical demonstrations.
Units of Study
The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.
| Code | Subject | Elective | Hours |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people | Core | 40 |
| CHCEDS033 | Meet legal and ethical obligations in an education support environment | Core | 35 |
| CHCEDS034 | Contribute to the planning and implementation of educational programs | Core | 70 |
| CHCEDS035 | Contribute to student education in all developmental domains | Core | 60 |
| CHCEDS036 | Support the development of literacy and oral language skills | Core | 55 |
| CHCEDS037 | Support the development of numeracy skills | Core | 60 |
| CHCEDS040 | Search and access online information | Elective | 30 |
| CHCEDS041 | Set up and sustain learning areas | Elective | 45 |
| CHCEDS048 | Work with students in need of additional learning support | Elective | 70 |
| CHCEDS056 | Provide support to students with autism spectrum disorder | Elective | 50 |
| CHCEDS057 | Support students with additional needs in the classroom | Core | 85 |
| CHCEDS059 | Contribute to the health, safety and wellbeing of students | Core | 30 |
| CHCEDS060 | Work effectively with students and colleagues | Core | 50 |
| CHCEDS061 | Support responsible student behaviour | Core | 45 |
| HLTAID012 | Provide First Aid in an education and care setting | Elective | 22 |
Attend an Information Session
Fees & Costs
| Free TAFE | Concession | Government subsidised fee | Non-subsidised fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | $0 | $800 | $4000 | $9500 |
| Maximum annual amenities | $250 | $175 | $250 | $250 |
| Total payable | $250 | $975 | $4250 | $9750 |
| Per year | $8600 |
| Per semester | $8600 |
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.
Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy.
Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1st of November. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Fees explained
The State Government’s Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative covers the cost of tuition (excluding Amenities Fees and Materials Fees) for students who are eligible for government subsidised training and enrol into one of the Priority listed course.
Free TAFE is available to eligible students for one course enrolment in a lifetime.
Free TAFE places are limited. Please call 1300 635 276 and we can advise you whether Free TAFE places are still available.
Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative covers the cost of tuition fees for students who are eligible. Materials and amenities may still apply.
The Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative will pay your tuition fees for only one course. Once you have commenced in a tuition-free priority course, you are not eligible for further tuition-free places again, even if you do not finish your first tuition-free priority course.
The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment.
The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.
Concession fees are charged at 20 per cent of the standard fees for enrolments in Certificate I to IV courses. To be eligible students must meet Skills First eligibility criteria and present a valid:
- Commonwealth Health Care card, or
- Pensioner Concession card, or
- Any dependent spouse or dependent child of one of the above cardholders, or
- Veterans Gold card.
The following groups are eligible for concession fees from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Asylum Seekers and victims of human trafficking
Additional expenses
The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged at forty cents (40 cents) per student contact hour and is capped over a twelve (12) month period, effective from the enrolment date, to:
- $250 for full fee-paying students; and
- $175 for concession-paying students studying Certificate I, II, III, or IV.
Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.
Study Education at Melbourne Polytechnic
Requirements
Applicants should be over 18 years old on commencement of the course and hold a Working with Children Check (WWC).
You must have already received three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (or have an exemption) to be able to work and undertake placement in a healthcare setting. See coronavirus.vic.gov.au for recommended vaccination doses.
Please book in to attend an interview as this is required before you can proceed to enrol.
Academic: Australian Year 12 equivalencyEnglish: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall, Pearson PTE Academic 50 overall or Melbourne Polytechnic recognised equivalency
Other: Applicants must provide a 300-500 word written statement outlining any experience in Education settings (voluntarily, informally, or by paid employment) and the reasons why they want to study this course
Applicants will need to provide a Working with Children Check (WWC) and a police check
Next Steps
The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form from the Apply Now page.
After you complete that form we will send you an email with a link to an application form webpage. If you don’t receive the email, check your spam and junk folders.
Complete the application form on the application form webpage.
You will be required to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment.
Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend an enrolment appointment over the phone or on campus.
For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about Tuition Payment Plans here.
If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 1300 635 276 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.
When we receive your application, the International Office will be in contact with you shortly to discuss your application and provide you additional instructions.
If you'd like to speak to one of our International Office staff directly, call 1300 635 276
We're Victoria's Large Training Provider of the Year
Study with Melbourne Polytechnic, proud winner of Victoria’s 2024 Large Training Provider of the Year! Recognised for our innovative programs, industry partnerships and commitment to student success, we’re here to help you build the skills for a thriving future.
Recognising Organisations
Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.