This qualification reflects the role of workers who assist teachers and support student learning in a range of classroom settings under the guidance of a teacher or other educational professional. At this level, workers may be involved in facilitation of learning for a range of instructional groupings, including for those students in need of additional support. In these roles, the education support worker sources and analyses information from diverse sources, may work with limited direct supervision and could provide guidance to other workers.

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

Employment opportunities with this qualification include:

• Teachers Aide
• Education Assistant
• Teaching Assistant
• Education Support Worker
• Special Needs Education Support Worker
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Straight Islander Education Worker
• Indigenous Language and Culture Teaching Assistant

Course outcomes include

• Completion of a nationally recognised industry qualification

Available as a Traineeship

This qualification can be completed through a traineeship pathway. Please contact Natalie Thornberry at natalie@nbmc.nsw.edu.au or call 9970 1053 for further information. New entrant traineeship: $0.

Course entry requirements

• Telephone or personal meeting with our Training Coordinator who will provide course information and answer your questions to ensure this is the right course for you before you enrol.
• Current Working with Children Check. Visit Office of the Children’s Guardian for more information on obtaining a WWCC.
• Unique Student Identifier (see information below).
• Successful completion of an NBMC English language, literacy and numeracy quiz to determine that you have appropriate skills to successfully complete the course.
• Basic computer skills. If you require basic computer training, please ask us about our Essential Computer Skills course.

What you need to know about this course

• The College offers day or evening courses. See below for class options.
• Course delivery on campus.
• The course is delivered using a blended learning model which includes timetabled classroom attendance, weekly flexible directed self study hours and 100 work placement hours.
• Students will need to allow regular weekly hours (approx 15) throughout the course for directed self study for the completion of learning and assessment tasks.
• If attending the theory component of the course by virtual classroom, there will be some training sessions when you will need to attend the campus for practical skills training.
• The course is delivered in the College’s fully equipped training room by our qualified and industry experienced trainer/assessor.
• Work placement hours will differ to normal class hours.
• 17 units of competency must be successfully completed to achieve this qualification. These are listed in the pop up list located above the class options below.
• A timetable will be provided on course commencement detailing theory, practical and work placement training sessions.
• There are no classes during school holidays or on Public Holidays.
• On Campus study during COVID-19 – please click here to learn about the additional safety measures being taken at College Campuses to help protect everyone on site.
• The resources for this course will be delivered via our NBMC learning management system, CANVAS. Training to use CANVAS will be provided at the beginning of the course. Once access to the course resources is provided, students can either print them and bring them along to class, or access them electronically via their personal laptop. Students enrolling must have access to the following:

            - A laptop / computer
            - The internet
            - A scanner, or a scanner app downloaded on their smart phone

About work placement

• Students must complete a total of least 100 hours of work in a classroom environment catering to primary or secondary school students, within at least one school in Australia
• Anyone in child-related work (including student placements and volunteers) MUST have a current Working with Children Check (students/volunteers free). Visit Office of the Children’s Guardian for more information on obtaining a WWCC.
• The college will arrange a suitable workplace for students if you are not currently working in the industry.
• Work placement provides you with the opportunity to respond to situations and circumstances that cannot be replicated in a simulated environment.
• Your trainer will visit you regularly during work placement hours to guide and support you as well as assess practical skills.

Are there Assessments?

• Competency based assessment of each unit of competency in the course will be conducted through a mix of assessment methods including case studies, theory tasks, projects and practical demonstration.
• Some units of competency require assessment of practical skills during work placement.
• You will receive clear assessment instructions and an opportunity will be provided for resubmission of assessments if required.

Pathway to Further Training

The Certificate IV in School Based Education Support can provide a pathway to the Diploma of School Aged Education & Care/Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care and a Bachelor of Early Childhood.

Eligibility for “NSW Fee Free” Training – LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE

The NSW and Federal Governments have signed an agreement to deliver more fee free vocational education places in NSW in 2025 for priority qualifications including Certificate IV in School Based Education Support – training to commence between 1 January and 30 June 2025. Note: There are very limited fee-free places available and cannot be guaranteed. If you wish to apply for a fee free position, it is recommended that you do so as soon as possible after 1 November 2024.

To be eligible you must be:

• an Australian Citizen/Perm Resident/NZ citizen/humanitarian visa holder or a partner visa holder whose sponsor is a humanitarian visa holder
• aged 15 years or older, and
• live or work in New South Wales, and
• no longer be at school or equivalent (excluding registered home schooled)

If you meet the above criteria, along with the Course Entry Requirements, you can apply to study this course fee free (includes course resources).

Course cost

If you do not meet the above eligibility criteria the cost for this course is: $8000 – please contact the College for payment options.

College Trainers

All NBMC Trainers/Assessors are current industry professionals with the required qualifications to deliver and assess this course. Trainers draw upon and share their own experiences in the industry to ensure that the training delivered to you is current and relevant. For information about individual trainers, please click on the trainer name in the class details below for the trainer’s bio.

Student Support

Please advise our Training Coordinator at your initial telephone or personal meeting if you require additional support in your learning. This will allow a support plan to be devised before you commence your course.

Why study at Northern Beaches & Mosman College?

Enjoy smaller class sizes, a personalised relationship with your trainer, face-to face teaching sessions and qualifications that include real life work experience, when you choose to study at the three-campus Northern Beaches & Mosman College (NBMC).

With campuses available across the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore in Narrabeen, Brookvale and Mosman, the College offers increasing numbers of accredited and vocational qualifications. Students include those looking to upskill, to change career direction and school leavers keen to step onto a career pathway. Courses on offer can lead directly to employment and/or go towards future learning opportunities.

The NSW Department of Education has recognised our organisation as a High Performing Provider.

National Recognition

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - is a process of acknowledging previously completed qualifications, skills, knowledge or experience relevant to your course. This may reduce the amount of learning required, reduce your course fees and allow you to achieve your qualification faster. Any student who believes they may be eligible for RPL should discuss this with our Training Coordinator on enrolment.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

From 1 January 2015 it is a requirement of the Federal Government that all students undertaking nationally recognised training will need to obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI). This involves an easy online application. See USI Fact Sheet for information on how to apply for a USI go to the Unique Student Identifier (USI) Website for additional information.

Please ensure when completing your enrolment information, that the details relating to your name are identical to those on the identification evidence (eg passport or driver’s licence) used when creating your USI, eg no abbreviations or nicknames should be used. Once created, it is important that you keep a record of your USI and access to your accredited training records in a safe place. You will need this information for any future enrolments into accredited training in Australia. Please contact the College on 9970 1000 if you require assistance.

To Enrol or for Further Information

• Commence the enrolment process by completing the application below.
• Contact Natalie Thornberry on 9970 1053 or email natalie@nbmc.nsw.edu.au for further information.

Training in priority qualifications is fee-free and fully funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments.