The Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher's Aide) has become a very popular teacher's assistant course in Australia. It's a nationally recognised education support course which has a special focus on assisting a teacher in a range of different classroom contexts. This qualification has been particularly popular among stay-at-home parents who are looking for a rewarding career that involves assisting a teacher in the classroom and contributing to the overall growth and development of children, while being able to work 'school hours' in order to fit in with looking after their own children. You'll have the opportunity to apply your teacher's support role to a variety of classroom-based contexts such as kindergarten teacher's assistants, primary and secondary school teacher's assistants, assisting a teacher with 'children with special needs' and so on.

Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher's Aide) is a nationally recognised, Centrelink Approved course which means there are several Centrelink benefits and study payments you should be able to claim that will both pay for your course (at least partially) and support you while you're studying. Some of these payments you should be able to claim are listed below.

The beauty of studying your Cert III in Education Support (Teacher's Aide) is the fact that it can be done externally, either online or by correspondence. This gives you the freedom to begin the course immediately (or whenever you're ready), study from home at your own pace with the personal assistance of a private tutor if you ever need help with your studies. You can either study at home while looking after the children, earn an income part-time and study on the side, or study full-time from home in which case you would be able to complete your Cert III very quickly.

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Certificate III in Education Support
(Teacher's Aide), CHC30808

Course Code: CHC30808

Qualification: Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher's Aide)

Accreditation: This is a nationally recognised, government-accredited course

Study time: 12 months (based on 10 hours a week) but you can finish it much quicker than this if you're a fast worker and spend more time studying each week

Study method: Online, by Correspondence or on Campus

Prerequisites / Requirements: There are no requirements and there is no minimum age to study your Cert III

Enrolment dates: By studying online, you can enrol and start today!

Study Support: When you study online, you have private phone and email tutoring support whenever you need help.

Financial Support: The Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher's Aide) is Centrelink approved and you may be eligible to receive ongoing study support benefits while you study this course from home. If you are a single parent, on a carers pension, disability pension and several others, you should be eligible for the pension education supplement. You should also ask Centrelink about the Education Entry Payment and the Temporary Supplement to Education Entry Payment ($1158 combined, as an upfront payment). If you're on NewStart Allowance, you should be able to claim the Education Entry Payment and the Temporary Supplement. To find out if you're eligible for Centrelink payments, call 13 24 90 and ask about the above payments.

Course outline: You'll study 14 theory subjects and will also be required to do a 'work placement' where you'll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a teacher's assistant role. This will enable you to apply the theories and skills you have studied, and use them in an everyday classroom environment.

Pathways to further study: After completing the Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher's Aide), you may wish to go on and study the Diploma of Education Support (Teacher's Aide). Both Diplomas are the same level qualification although they have a slightly different focus for you to choose, depending on what you are looking for in your career.

Cricos Approved: Yes, international students may study this course

Austudy Approved: Yes, Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher's Aide) is Centrelink 'Austudy' approved

You will benefit from this course if you:

- Want to work in any of the following roles: Teacher's Assistant / Teacher's Aide (in a child care centre, day care centre, kindergarten, primary school, secondary school or special needs school), Education Support Worker, Language or Literacy Worker, Home Tutor, Special Needs Assistant (working with children with special needs)

Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher's Aide) Subjects:

Core Subjects:

CHCEDS313A Communicate with students
CHCEDS312A Work with diversity in the education environment
CHCCHILD301A Support behaviour of children and young people
CHCEDS301A Comply with legislative, policy and industrial requirements in the education environment
CHCEDS303A Contribute to student education in all developmental domains
CHCEDS314A Work effectively in an education team
CHCEDS316A Comply with school administrative requirements
HLTOHS300A Contribute to OHS processes

Electives (You will need to complete 6 of the following subjects):

The selection of electives should be guided by the type of service delivery and the setting.

The following elective is required in some jurisdictions to meet legislative requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse:

CHCCHILD401A Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

Literacy and Numeracy

CHCEDS305A Support the development of reading skills
CHCEDS306A Support the development of writing skills
CHCEDS307A Support the development of numeracy skills
CHCEDS308A Support the development of oral language skills

Working with students with disabilities

CHCDIS301A Work effectively with people with a disability
CHCEDS315B Support students with additional needs in the classroom
CHCEDS310A Support learning for students with disabilities

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Education Workers

CHCEDS317A Communicate with parents, students and colleagues in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language
CHCEDS318A Work effectively as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander education worker
CHCEDS403A Promote and implement Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander language and culture programs
CHCEDS404A Liaise with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community re education program

Home Tutor

CHCCN301A Ensure the health and safety of children
CHCCN302A Provide care for children
CHCEDS305A Support the development of reading skills
CHCEDS306A Support the development of writing skills
CHCEDS307A Support the development of numeracy skills
CHCEDS319A Search and assess online information
CHCEDS320A Set up and sustain individual and small group learning areas
CHCIC301D Interact effectively with children
CHCRF301D Work effectively with families to care for the child
HLTFA302A Provide first aid in remote situation (Note pre-requisite: HLTFA301B)
CHCFC502A Foster physical development in early childhood
CHCFC512A Foster physical development in middle childhood

Education Support

CHCCS312A Use electronic learning materials
CHCCS411A Work effectively in the community sector
CHCDIS301A Work effectively with people with a disability
CHCDIS411A Communicate using augmentative and alternative communication strategies
CHCEDS302A Facilitate implementation of planned educational programs
CHCEDS304A Contribute to organisation and management of classroom or centre
CHCEDS310A Support learning for students with disabilities
CHCEDS311A Contribute to the safety and health of students
CHCEDS315B Support students with additional needs in the classroom
CHCEDS319A Search and assess online information
CHCEDS320A Set up and sustain individual and small group learning areas
CHCEDS321A Use an e-learning management system
CHCEDS322A Support students with English as a second language
CHCEDS323A Support development of student research skills
LMFFT4011A Purchase materials and consumables

First Aid

In some jurisdictions, it is a condition of employment that Education Support Workers are competent in basic first aid. Candidates and employers should clarify specific jurisdiction requirements for first aid.

HLTFA301B Apply first aid
HLTFA302A Provide first aid in remote situation (Note pre-requisite: HLTFA301B)

Information technology electives

BSBITU201A Produce simple word processed documents
BSBITU202A Create and use spreadsheets
BSBWOR204A Use business technology
ICAU1128B Operate a personal computer
ICAU1130C Operate a spreadsheet application
ICAU1132B Operate a presentation package
ICAU1133C Send and retrieve information using web browsers and email
ICPMM263B Access and use the internet

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Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher's Aide) FAQ's:

-I didn't finish high school and have no qualifications, can I study this course?

Yes, there are no pre-requisites / requirements to study this course. By studying online or by correspondence (with distance education), you can enrol and begin this course today.

-If I study this course online, do I receive the exact same qualification that I would receive if I studied on campus?

Yes, you will receive the exact same qualification regardless of how you study it.

-How long do I have to finish this course when I study online or via correspondence?

Usually 12 months, depending on which course provider you study with. You are usually able to apply for extension if you have a valid reason why you weren't able to finish it within the specified time-frame.

-Are there exams?

Not when you study online or by distance education; there are only written and practical workplace assessments which you need to complete for your Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher's Aide)

Can I begin my course immediately?

Yes, you can get started on your course today when you study online or by correspondence. Thanks to the increasingly popular method of study, distance education, you're able to enrol and begin your course whenever you're ready and then study at your own pace from the comfort of your own home and, with the assistance of a tutor when you need help with the study load. There are a number of education providers that you can study your Certificate III with via distance, either online or via correspondence (which is by post, without the need for a computer).

What does the work placement involve?

When you study your Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher's Aide), you are required to do a 'work placement'. This involves you being in a classroom envirnoment and working there for approximately 100 hours. You don't need to complete all your work placement hours together, you can stretch it out and do for example, a few hours a week or whatever suits your schedule (it's very flexible given that you may have kids or work full-time). Doing your work placement gives you the opportunity to put the theory subjects you study into practice and catch a glimpse of the kind of role you'll be getting into later on. Depending on where you complete your Certificate 3, many education providers will allow you to find your own work placement and others will organise it for you. It is worth asking each education provider, before you enrol, how they handle the 'work placement' and if there any additional costs you need to pay.

Is there a minimum age to study the Certificate III?

There is no minimum age to study the Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher's Aide).

I'm a stay-at-home mother or, I work full time. What is the best way to do this course?

If you have an active lifestyle for instance, you're a single parent, you work full-time or you just have a busy social life, an increasingly popular method of studying your course is by 'distance education', which includes either studying completely online or via correspondence (where you post your assessments back and no computer is required). There are dozens of course providers these days that provide the distance option. If you're on a parenting payment or disability support payment, don't forget to claim your pension education supplement, education entry payment and temporary supplement benefits when you enrol.