In terms of entry requirements, there aren’t many. There are no formal education requirements, but you will need parental/guardian consent to apply if under 18, and you will need permanent Australian residency or equivalent. Certificate III in Education Support usually requires 100 hours minimum of work placement, and you will need a working with children check (WWCC). Course content can be learned online on a flexible timetable to suit your schedule, same with assessments.
Your certificate will be nationally recognised and include the industrial requirements relevant to all schools, whether these be Catholic, public, independent or community education services. When undertaking a TAFE course to receive your certificate III, you will learn how to communicate effectively with teaching staff and fellow teacher’s aide, assist with executing teaching plans and education programs. All of this is to support learning literacy and numeracy skills of a single child or small group, as well as their confidence in and outside of a classroom environment.
Upon the completion of your Certificate III in Education Support, you would be able to:
- Work with student education from kindergarten to year 10
- Assist children with the development of numeracy skills, development of literacy abilities and oral language skills
- Be aware of legal and moral standards that must be upheld in an education environment
- Ensure health and safety standards are upheld in the classroom (i.e. first aid) for the safety of students
- Understand cultural safety and be able to work with diverse people
- Support behaviour of children who require additional needs
- Assists teachers with the organisation and management of classrooms
- Assist with implementation of Information Communication Technology in classrooms
Careers in Education Support
So what job opportunities would you be qualified for after the successful completion of a Certificate III in Education Support? While all have similar responsibilities, career options can range from early childhood education to community services including:
- Education Support Worker
- Education Assistant
- Teacher Aide
- Special Needs Aid
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Education Officer
Many people choose part-time or full-time further study options such as a certificate IV or complete another TAFE course after recognition of prior learning to further develop their skills. Completing a traineeship or internship in early childhood education or a similar educational program will allow you to truly understand the powerful impact this career option has on the wellbeing of a child.