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CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support

Early Childhood Education FreeTAFE

Next intake

July 2025

Location

Geelong City Campus
Workplace

Duration

Full-time: 1 Year

Traineeship

Part-time: 24 months

Course description

This qualification reflects the role of workers who assist teachers and support student learning in a range of classroom settings. They support students with learning under the guidance of a teacher or other educational professionals.  

Education support workers work mainly with students in classroom settings in primary or secondary schools, as defined by State/Territory legislation. 

To achieve this qualification, the individual must have completed a total of 100 hours of work in a classroom environment catering to primary or secondary school students, within at least one school in Victoria. 

Possible career outcomes

  • Teacher aide 
  • Integration aide 
  • Education assistant 
  • Classroom assistant 
  • Specialist education aide (eg Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support staff) 

Applications & attendance

How to apply

  1. Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
  2. Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.

If you need help, visit Customer Service or request application support via email.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.

Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants

To become an apprentice or trainee, you will first need to find an employer willing to employ you. An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can assist you with this. Find a local provider here.

Intake Applications Attendance Classes  
2025 July
Geelong City Campus		 Open: 1 Apr 2025
Close: 1 Jul 2025		 Class Day Full Time | Start: 22 Jul 2025 | Mon & Wed 9am - 3.30pm Apply
2025 Full Year
Workplace		 Open: 31 Jul 2024
Close: 15 Dec 2025		 Workplace Part Time | Timetable supplied once admitted

Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.

Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.

An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course.

Many courses have limited spots and may fill quickly, so apply early and ensure your application is fully completed, as only successful applicants will receive offers, issued as soon as possible. If numbers are low, intakes or courses may be cancelled.

Work placement/industry experience



Duration & Structure

Minimum 100 hours. Additional hours may be undertaken to complete placement requirements in the capacity of an ongoing volunteer or paid employment role or as negotiated between student and the school.

Location 

Any government, catholic, private or independent primary or secondary school (including special or additional needs schools). 
* You may be required to travel outside of your usual training location to attend placement. This may include other regional areas or suburbs of Melbourne. Travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of the student.

Organised by

Placement is organised by The Gordon placement team.

Additional requirements

• Must provide a current Working with Children Check
• Students may be required to supply evidence of various immunisation status depending on individual centre requirements, such as COVID-19 and whooping cough. 
• If /as necessary, attained medical clearance and/or disclosure declarations necessary to be able to work in a children’s service. 

Additional Information 

*Placement may be unpaid. Students will not receive any payment for participating in the practical placement.

Entrance requirements

  • Applicants must be 18 years and over at the time of course commencement.
  • Applicants are expected to have literacy and numeracy skills at Year 11 or Year 12 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3.
  • July 2025 Intake: All applicants must attend The Gordon to undertake our Pre-training review and interview before being offered a position within the course. Additionally, applicants must meet all specified criteria to be eligible for consideration. 
  • You must reside in Victoria to access Victorian Government Subsidised Fees and any incentive such as Free TAFE. Full fees apply to all non-Victorian residents.

Apprenticeship and traineeship requirements

Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants must be currently employed under a training contract and referred by their employer.

Personal Learning Requirements

There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.

Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.

Pre-training review

Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.

Units & assessments

Core Code Hours
Contribute to student education in all developmental domains CHCEDS035 60
Contribute to the health, safety and wellbeing of students CHCEDS059 30
Contribute to the planning and implementation of educational programs CHCEDS034 70
Meet legal and ethical obligations in an education support environment CHCEDS033 35
Support responsible student behaviour CHCEDS061 45
Support students with additional needs in the classroom CHCEDS057 85
Support the development of literacy and oral language skills CHCEDS036 55
Support the development of numeracy skills CHCEDS037 60
Work effectively with students and colleagues CHCEDS060 50
Work with diverse people CHCDIV001 40
Electives Code Hours
Identify and respond to children and young people at risk CHCPRT001 40
Participate in workplace health and safety HLTWHS001 20
Provide support to students with autism spectrum disorder CHCEDS056 50
Support student literacy learning CHCEDS046 65
Support student mathematics learning CHCEDS045 45
Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.

Assessment is based on:

  • Questioning 
  • Observations and practical demonstrations 
  • Portfolio (work samples)                   
  • Product (reports, projects, role plays etc)        
  • Workplace evidence

Fees

This course is eligible for Free TAFE!

Eligible Victorian students who elect to use their Free TAFE opportunity will not incur any tuition fees. Material and resources fees still apply. Follow the link for further information and to check the eligibility criteria.

Fees Rate Unit Indicative Course Hours Indicative Tuition Indicative Gov Total
Concession Tuition AUD $1.14 per hour 750 AUD $855.00 AUD $5,662.00
Standard Tuition AUD $5.69 per hour 750 AUD $4,268.00 AUD $5,662.00
Full Fee Tuition AUD $11.49 per hour 750 AUD $8,618.00
Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee
Resources AUD $300.00 Charged at enrolment
Education Levy AUD $112.50 Charged at enrolment

All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.

Which fee will I pay?

Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.

Fee help

Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.

Further study options

  • CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support

Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.