- This is NOT a FREE TAFE course, government funding is NOT available. Payment plan options are available.
- Only Australian Citizens and Residents can apply for this course. Limited visa holders can be accepted pending a VEVO check. This provider is not CRICOS registered and cannot accept Subclass 500 visa holders
Course Overview
The CHC30221 Certificate III in School based Education Support offers the best of both worlds: the flexibility of online learning, with a practical 140 hours of work placement in a real classroom of your choosing, so you can practice and perfect what you learn.
It is perfect for people who want to start a career in education support, as well as those who are already working in the area but who need to formalise their experience in order to take the next step in their career.
This qualification is recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This means that you can take this qualification anywhere within Australia.
Who's It For?
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.
Job Outcomes
Potential career outcomes could include:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander education worker
- Education assistant
- Education assistant (special needs)
- Education support worker
- Education support worker
- Home tutor
- Homeland teaching assistant
- Language worker
- Literacy worker
- School learning support officer
- Support worker (working with children with disabilities)
- Teacher assistant
- Teaching assistant
What You'll Learn
- The Certificate III will fully prepare you for a career in the classroom, helping teachers to educate, support and inspire students
- This online education support course will give you the expertise to communicate and work collaboratively with teachers and colleagues, as well as to support the holistic wellbeing, health and safety of all students
- You will master the skills that you need to effectively help children learn and develop numeracy, literacy and oral language skills
- During your studies you will learn how to help children and teens with behavioural issues, and how to fully support and assist those with special learning needs
- You will 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
Recognition

Study Method
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- BlendedBlended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
- In-classIn class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
Duration Study Load
- Maximum 18 months
- 140 hours of work placement
- 18 hours per week
Delivery
- Delivery method: Online with Work Placement
Entry Requirements
Recommended Local Entry Requirements
Students will need to be at least 18 years old. Students under 18 will need a parent or guardian to complete the parent or guardian declaration on the Enrolment Form.
Students are recommended to have the language, literacy, and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to read and comprehend technical terms and communicate effectively through email.
These skills are equivalent to:
- Successfully completed Year 12 OR
- ACSF Level 3
Tools, equipment, and skills required:
- Access to up to 3 people to participate in role plays and assessments
- Access to a device with audio & video capabilities to record simulated role-play tasks for submission
- Tripod to provide a stable and secure platform to mount the digital recording device
- Access to office equipment and resources including telephone, photocopier, scanner and printer
- Basic computing skills
- Access to a modern computer with high-speed internet
- Access to Microsoft Office
Additional Requirements:
- Students will need to be reasonably physically fit to undertake the work placement as the tasks and activities associated with the work placement may involve manual handling and other physical activities
- Where first aid is a requirement of the host organisation, you will be required to complete 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult manikin placed on the floor
Course Features
- The Certificate III offers the best of both worlds: the flexibility of online learning, with a practical 140 hours of work placement in a real classroom of your choosing, so you can practice and perfect what you learn.
Work Placement
This course contains a minimum of 140 hours of work placement. A work placement is the part of your course where you learn and are assessed in a place of work related to your course which has been approved by Open Colleges.
At your work placement, you’ll get practical, hands on experience under the guidance of your supervisor. Your supervisor will be someone with involvement in industry, who can mentor you during your placement.
What are the benefits?
- 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.
If you’d like to learn more about the work placement component of this course, get the course guide for further details.
How do I find a work placement?
- Spend your time studying and let Open Colleges organise your work placement for you. In partnership with leading provider SkilTrak, we have introduced Guaranteed Work Placement to provide you with real-world experience in your dream career that’s close to home. Enquire now to learn more.
Recognition Of Prior Learning
We understand that you may already have many skills and areas of expertise that you have obtained in different ways and these are recognised through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
Our Credit Transfer & Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, available in the Key Student Information section of our website, provides more information about our RPL process. Alternatively, you can contact an Enrolment Consultant to discuss your RPL options.
Assessment
- Case studies
- Demonstrations and Presentations
- Learner and Supervisor checkpoints
- Logbook, Multiple choice questions
- Portfolio of evidence
- Quizzes
- Short-answer questions
- Workplace assessments
- Written assessments
Subjects
About Open Colleges
Open Colleges puts you at the centre of everything we do. As an institution, we measure our success in the success of our students.
We have more than 125 years of experience in distance education, and this has given us the time to perfect the ways we deliver education and training to people across Australia. In the last decade alone, we’ve helped more than 450,000 students reach their potential.
We understand the needs of adult learners. That’s why we created OpenSpace, our world-class online learning platform that gives you complete flexibility and control to study whenever and wherever you are. OpenSpace provides you with access to learning resources, expert trainers and assessors, a superior support network and the opportunity to connect with other learners just like you.
Our nationally recognised courses could help you launch, change or accelerate your career. Now is the time to make your next move. With Open Colleges, everything could happen.
Open Colleges Pty Ltd is a Registered Training Organization (RTO 90796)