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. Work requires the use of discretion and judgement within the boundaries of established policies and procedures and complete general administrative as well as operational tasks to support students. To achieve this qualification, students must have completed a total of at least 100 hours of work in a classroom environment catering to primary or secondary school students, within at least one school in Australia.  The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.

Requirements - To Be Eligible

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

Completion of the bksb (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy, numeracy and digital literacy assessment prior to enrolment, unless you have completed an equal or higher level course.

During your study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies.

Student are required to complete 100 hours of vocational placement in a classroom environment at Primary or Secondary Schools within Australia. CQUniversity will arrange the necessary vocational placement agreements; however, it is the responsibility of prospective students to identify a local business or organisation who will support and host them for the duration of the placement period.

To participate in placement, it is a requirement to successfully obtain a Working with Children Check relevant to your state in Australia.

To participate in studies students, require access to a computer, Internet and hold intermediate computer skills. 24-hour CQUniversity computer labs are available on select 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. 

As part of the assessment conditions, a CQUniversity Trainer and Assessor is required to observe students completing designated tasks while on placement. This ensures that competency is demonstrated in a real-world setting and aligns with training package requirements.
Students located in the following areas may be eligible for in-person observations conducted by a CQUniversity Trainer and Assessor:

• Rockhampton and surrounding areas
• Gladstone
• Mackay
• Emerald

Students who are not located in the approved in-person observation areas must arrange for virtual observations with their Trainer and Assessor. These will be conducted via Zoom or Microsoft Teams using a school device (e.g., a tablet or laptop provided by the school). The observer will watch live, replicating the process of an in-person observation.
To meet these requirements, students must complete their placement at a school that permits virtual assessment, including the use of video conferencing and devices for live observation by a CQUniversity Trainer and Assessor.

Course Details

Admission Codes

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.