Looking to become a qualified Teacher Aide?
Hi, thanks for visiting! If you’re considering becoming a Teacher Aide, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve broken the mould of rigid timetables and student policies and are proud to be one of Australia’s leading providers of flexible, online, distance and blended education.
These Nationally Recognised courses will qualify you for employment in public and private schools (from prep through to Year 12) as a Teacher Aide (also known as Learning Support Officer, Education Support Officer or Integration Aide).
Enrolments are welcome from anywhere in Australia.
Why Be a Teacher Aide?
- Teacher Aides support Teachers with the smooth running of a classroom and provide targeted support to individual students, to help them achieve their educational goals and overcome learning barriers.
- It can be a rewarding role as aides are often tasked with providing support to the children who need it the most.
- Teacher Aides work family friendly (school) hours and also benefit from having school holidays.
- Job opportunities are strong with the number of Teacher Aides increasing 289% since 1990 (compared to 62% increase in Teachers).
- The average casual pay rate for a qualified Teacher Aide ranges from $36 – $45 per hr.
Adapt Education are an approved Skills Assure provider of funded training in QLD
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Answer the following questions to determine if you qualify for the Career Start funding.
If you answered Correct to all of the above you will qualify for Career Start funding. Your Total Course Fee will be:
Certificate 3: $300 0r $225 if you hold a concession card
To apply for the funding, simply submit your enrolment application and select Career Start from the government funding list.
Certificate 4: $357 or $272 if you hold a concession card
To apply for the funding, simply submit your enrolment application and select Career Boost from the government funding list.
If you were not sure about your responses, give us a call and we can assess your eligibility over the phone – 1300 380 335
If you do not qualify for the Career Start funding check out the Government Funding page on our website, as there are other incentives and study payments that may be available to you.
Course Overview
Who Are These Courses For?
These Nationally Recognised courses are for:
- Anyone located within Australia wanting to work as a Teacher Aide.
- School-based students (Yr 10 – 12) seeking a Vocational (VET) Pathway.
- Existing Teacher Aides or people transitioning from similar fields such as early childhood education or OSHC, seeking Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
- Anyone engaged in a traineeship.
Study Modes
- Self-paced – The ultimate flexible study arrangement for busy people! Study at times that suit you from anywhere in Australia. No assessment due dates and no time tabled lectures. Work your way through our online modules at your own pace. Fast track your study or take your time, the choice is yours.
- Blended, onsite and classroom study modes may be available on request. Please discuss with an Adapt Education staff member.
Online or Correspondence
- Online – Our world class online platform is user friendly and interactive. We provide recorded webinars, videos and other visually engaging resources so there’s less reading for you.
- Correspondence – Great for those who prefer hard copy books or have a poor internet connection. Receive a hardcopy textbook. All other resources are provided on a USB stick so the course can be completed offline.
Practical Placement
- You must complete a minimum of 100hrs in an Australian school environment (in a Prep – Yr 12 class or special needs class). These hours may be achieved through current employment or a practical placement. Our flexible course structure means you can complete the practical hours at any point during your course timeframe. Backdated hours (up to 12 months prior to your enrolment date) may be accepted.
School Based Students
If you are currently a student at a secondary school (Yr10 – 12), different requirements and pricing may apply. Please refer to the following links if you are a school based students:
If you are a school staff member, looking to offer this program to students in your school, please review our Information for School Staff page.
Certificate 3 Verses Certificate 4
What is the Difference?
Both qualifications will qualify you to work as a Teacher Aide from Prep through to Yr12. The significant majority of schools will require a teacher aide to posses a Certificate III. The Certificate IV has more of an in-depth focus on working with children with learning difficulties, additional needs and disabilities. Some schools therefore will require a Certificate IV, particularly if the role involves working in a special education or learning enrichment unit. A Certificate IV will also qualify you to work without direct supervision.
Number of Units: The Certificate III has 15 units and the Certificate IV has 17 units.
Difficulty: The content and assessment is very similar. A Certificate IV unit may have a few additional questions and some additional tasks to observe you complete in the classroom.
Price: For a standard fee paying student the Certificate III is $400 cheaper. For a funded student the difference is around $50.
The Certificate IV Bridging program
If committing to the Certificate IV or dual course feels a bit overwhelming, then the Certificate IV bridging program may be a great option! When you complete the Certificate III in School based education support you will immediately qualify for our Certificate IV bridging program. The Certificate III & Certificate IV qualifications have a lot of overlap. In the bridging program instead of completing an additional 17 units, you just complete the gaps between the Certificate III and the Certificate IV. Our bridging program will save you months of time spent on assessment and from $1130* is an affordable way to upgrade your qualification from a Certificate III to a Certificate IV. Download the Bridging Program Course Outline
*Prices will vary depending on the electives you have completed in your Cert III. Contact Adapt for a quote.
Students who qualify for the Career Boost funding will pay $126 or $90 for concession card holders.
Course Options
CHC30221 Certificate 3 in School Based Education Support
This entry level program will qualify you to become a Teacher Aide from Prep through to Year 12.
CHC40221 Certificate 4 in School Based Education Support
An advanced Teacher Aide course with specialist subjects in aditional needs and disabilities.
Fees and Funding
Funding
These courses are approved for numerous different government subsidies and funding:
- Certificate III: Career Start funding (QLD only)
- Certificate III: Career Start traineeships (QLD only)
- Certificate IV: Career Boost funding (QLD only)
- Both courses: Centrelink Study payments (Australia wide)
- Both courses: Commonwealth traineeship incentives (available Australia wide for those engaged in a traineeship)
View our Government Funding page for further details and eligibility criteria on each of these funded programs.
Course Fees
We believe we offer the best value courses in Australia. Our fees are half that of TAFE and we lead the way on statistics such as student satisfaction and student outcomes.
Note: School based students (Yr 10 – 12) different requirements and pricing may apply. For pricing specific to school based students refer to the following links Certificate III in School based education support or Certificate IV in school based education support.
| Certificate III in School Based Education Support | Non-Concessional | Concessional* |
| Standard Course Fee | $2380 | $2280 |
| Co-Contribution Fee for those who qualify for the Career Start Funding (QLD) | $300 ($20/unit) | $225 ($15/unit) |
| Co-Contribution fee for those employed under a Career Start Traineeship (QLD) | $1168 ($1.60/nominal hr) | $309 ($0.64/nominal hr) |
| Certificate IV in School Based Education Support | Non-Concessional | Concessional* |
| Standard Course Fee | $2780 | $2680 |
| Co-Contribution Fee for those who qualify for the Career Boost Funding (QLD) | $357 ($21/unit) | $272 ($16/unit) |
* Concessional rate applied to those who hold: a health care card, pension card, or DVA card; or those who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our flexible learning model is based around the Self-paced study mode. It’s a great option with many benefits:
- Progress as fast as you like or take your time. Up to 2 years to complete with option for extension. As a guide, students on fast-track can complete in as little as 3 months.
- With no classes or lectures you can study from any location at times that suit you.
- No assessment due dates to stress about.
- Unlimited trainer support available by phone, email and portal messages (you even get your trainer’s mobile number!)
- Connect with other students through our online forums
- Easy to navigate online system. The online course is interactive, meaning less reading and more visually engaging resources.
- If online isn’t for you, than you can opt for correspondence (hard copy books) or a combination of the two modes.
We recommend scheduling your own time to help keep you on track. If you’re worried about progressing as a self-paced student, let us know, as we have strategies to help. We can even book regular sessions with your trainer to keep you accountable.
Not sure if Self-Paced study is for you? Classroom programs may be available in SE QLD. Contact us now for current class intakes dates and venue locations.
Course assessment consists of two components:
- Theory – assessment methods may include: textbook activities, short answer questions, case studies, scenarios, small projects and reports.
- Practical – achieved through observations throughout your practical placement.
Practical Placement – so many of our students gain employment as a result of their placement. It is a great learning experience and a chance to impress!
- 100hrs placement in a school (Prep – Yr 12). Note: if you are already working in a Teacher Aide role, your paid hours can be used in place of your practical placement.
- Complete your hours at any stage throughout your course.
- We can arrange your placement or you can arrange your own.
Testimonials
Education Designed For You
How To Enrol
- Read the Course Outline for your chosen course:
- Certificate III in School based education support
- Certificate IV in School based education support
- Certificate IV bridging program (fast track option for those who have completed Certificate III in school based education support).
- Read the Student Handbook
- Check if your eligible for funding
- Contact us if you have any questions
- Submit your enrolment application. There are no set semester dates, so you can enrol at any time. Alternatively call 1300 380 335 to enrol in the Certificate 3 in School Based Education Support over the phone.
- On receipt of your enrolment application we will conduct an interview to confirm your course acceptance.
We get it! Sifting through all this information can be overwhelming.
Call 1300 380 335 for a free consultation to confirm aspects such as study mode, funding eligibility, pricing, course structure, practical placement, duration and any other questions you may have.
Other courses you may be interested in
Certificate III in Outside School Hours Care
Become an Educator in an Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Service.
Diploma of School Age Education and Care
Become a qualified Senior Educator or Director of an OSHC service.
Certificate IV in School Based Education Support
Become a qualified Teacher Aide with expertise in supporting children with additional needs and disabilities.
