CHC40221 - Certificate IV in School Based Education Support

Version Effective: 26th of May, 2025

Course Details

Course Summary

This qualification reflects the role of an education support worker who assists teachers and support student learning in a range of classroom settings in primary or secondary schools, as defined by State/Territory legislation. At this level, education support workers may be involved in the 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 and may work with limited direct supervision and could provide guidance to other workers. To achieve this qualification, the student must complete a minimum 100 hours of work in a classroom environment catering to primary or secondary school students, within at least one school in Australia. 

Requirements - To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.

Entry Requirements

CQUniversity requirement: completion of BKSB (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy, numeracy and digital literacy assessment before enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher-level course.

The requirement to complete a minimum work placement component for the duration of the qualification of 100 hours in a classroom environment within Primary or Secondary Schools. Placement is to be organised by the student, CQUniversity will assist where required.

The requirement to successfully obtain a Working With Children Check relevant to your State in Australia.

Access to a computer, internet, and intermediate computer skills. 24 hour CQUniversity computer labs are available on selected campuses.

Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning

Students must complete a Vocational Placement and/or Work Integrated Learning as part of this qualification.

Additional information

The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within a school environment, with a mandatory work placement of 100 hours at either Primary or Secondary Schools. Within this time allocation, students can demonstrate the required vocational placement tasks and skills for other units as required for the qualification. The total number of 100 hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirements of workplace hours within this qualification. Students completing Vocational Placement must complete a minimum of 100 hours of placement throughout the duration of the course. Each Cluster will require vocational placement and demonstration of the practical component in a classroom environment. 

Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees
Full Fee $5,576.00 (2026)
Subsidised Full Fee $2,788.00 (2026)
Subsidised Concession Fee $1,972.00 (2026)
Fee for service per unit $328.00 (2026)
Subsidised full fee per unit $164.00 (2026)
RPL Fee for service per Unit $246.00 (2026)
For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
How to Apply Please Enquire or Apply Now
Study Area
  • Education and Humanities
Skill Area
  • Education Support
AQF Level Level 4: Certificate IV

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

Successful completion of CHC40221 Certificate IV in School-Based Education Support, occupation includes education support worker assisting teachers to support specific learning needs of individual students within a classroom settings of a primary or secondary school.  

Students can also further their skills and study towards other qualifications, with many pathways available at CQUniversity. 

Course Structures
COURSE STRUCTURE
ONLINE

This course is delivered on Moodle for a period of 70 weeks, however as it is competency and cluster-based it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.

The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within a school environment, with a mandatory minimum work placement of 100 hours at either Primary or Secondary Schools. Each cluster the student undertakes requires work placement and/or employment.

  • Online
  • Domestic
COURSE STRUCTURE
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)

RPL only - no training occurs. 

RPL involves an assessment process of an individual’s previously obtained skills and knowledge that has been achieved outside the formal education and training system. The duration is dependent on evidence collection by the candidate and approval of evidence by the CQUniversity assessor. 

Please refer to information on the CQUniversity website - Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit 

  • RPL/RCC/Credit
  • Domestic

Recognition Prior Learning only

Recognition Prior Learning only. Elective unit HLTAID012 Provide first aid in an education and care setting will be a credit towards this qualification upon receipt of the completed certificate demonstrating competence achieved for this unit. 

Course Assessment Information

Assessment Types
Project
Third Party Verification
RPL
Written/Electronic Assessment
Other
Practical Task
Course Learning Outcomes
Where and when can I start?

Domestic 2022 Availabilities

Online
Online
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Domestic 2023 Availabilities

Online
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Domestic 2024 Availabilities

Online
Online
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Domestic 2025 Availabilities

Online
Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Domestic 2026 Availabilities

Online
Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
More Details

More Details

For students who have specific questions please email the Educational Support Team: VET-Ed-Support@cqu.edu.au. 

 

Students commencing Vocational Placement must complete a minimum of 100 hours of placement throughout the

 

duration of the course. Each cluster will require vocational placement and demonstration of the practical component

 

in a classroom environment. All students will need to hold a Blue Card prior to starting their work placement.